Olives?

It did not quite look like this on the saturday after thanksgiving. It was cold and rainy, but that did not stop us from visiting a Mediterranean style Ranch outside of Wimberley, Texas.

They gave us a tour, explained the background and the we went in where it was warm and got to taste the different Olive Oils. Did you know that you cure olives so they don't burn your mouth. Well, good cold pressed olive oil has a bit of that burn. Nummy; and when they
infuse it with orange oil; watch out.

They grow artichokes, tomatoes and raise cattle on their ranch too. They also grow grapes and produce a small amount of wine. It was good too.

Next we went down the road to see some "Real" Glassblowers at work. It was amazing, these guys create things that take more than one person to make it happen. They actually have a small amphitheatre in their workroom, so us less artistically endowed people could see them work. The pieces in the gallery were beautiful and they do huge custom projects for corporations. I should have asked them if they did The Bellagio. It was a nice family outing in the Hill Country Of Texas.

Cousins

Maybe I should call it Eye Candy. That is a term I have heard of in the past for these studs in print. I have to admit I had never seen it on fabric until Nana Carol picked some up on one of her trips with Dad. The girls loved them. What a fun Thanksgiving. SO much to be thankful for. Family, health and a God Centered Life. We are a blessed nation to be able to chose our lifestyle. Thank you to all of those who have in the past and continue to protect these freedoms for us so that we may live as we choose.

Krista and Peyton

I am not sure who was happiest to see whom. Krista had been visiting dog shelters and longing for a furry friend. As i turned into the driveway in mid November, Krista Stepped out of the Apartment door and Peyton immediately started barking in excitement. She saw Krista before I did.

I hope that Krista got her Puppy fix. I know that Peyton enjoyed to attention from her long lost friend.

My First Time

One of the tings on my list of things that I have always wanted to do was go on a winery tour. Krista and Diana made that happen today. We visited the Messina Hof Winery in Bryan, Texas. It began in 1977 and is now Texas's third largest winery and has many award winners. The setting is beautiful and the wine reasonable. They even have a bed and breakfast with rooms furnished with beautiful antiques, up to 400 years old. What a fun day.

We found another near Canyon Lake, that is a winery and olive tour. Maybe Saturday after Thanksgiving.

College Station, Texas

I arrived in College Station on Saturday, to visit with Krista and Dianna. Ate Ahi tacos with stirfry vegies and then went to a famous beer bar to play "42", a domino game. the Bonfire was postponed due to dry weather. Of course it rained all night. We had a good time.

Sunday morning we worshiped together at GraceBible Church, they are growing and plan to open a second campus at the other end of town next year. It was a great sermon on giving thanks even amidst our pain. God just loves to seize the opportunity to speak to me.

While Krista was at work, I received a tour of the Texas A & M Campus from Diana, who will be graduating in the middle of December. This college is so steeped in tradition. I really enjoyed the tour and information. One VERY emotion provoking stop was at the Bonfire Memorial. It had been the 8th anniversary, early that morning, in the cold dark rain. Just being there those hours later, seeing the flowers, candles, coins, and memorabilia left by family and friends was quite moving. This is a special college and all who have ever gone feel a very special attachment to each other.

Check it out http://www.tamu.edu/home/imagepage/bonfirememorial.html

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

http://www.trans-siberian.com/multimedia/index.shtml

You must all go listen to this. My sister Lynn and Her generous husband Gregg took me to Lubbock. Texas Wed. night for a date (I forgot what that was like). We went to a restaurant called Jazz (Cajun food) and then a concert. It was FABULOUS!!!! What an entertaining evening.

Last night it was off to Plainview for a play-off football game. Springlake-Earth did not win, but played a good game. It was cold (Below freezing) and windy, but great fun. Everyone knows everyone here. Even on wed. night in Lubbock, we saw no less that 4 groups of people Gregg and Lynn knew and we were a 70 min. drive from home.

How cool is that?

Big Boy Toys

No, this is not a 99 cent matchbox toy. It is a tractor and discer (spelling?). This is one of the smaller pieces of equipment out here. This is right outside the barn. You can see that there is not much around here. Looking out front, you can see someone elses cows and down the road at least 1/2 mile is a house. Even the hired hands house, which is on their property, is over a mile away.

It is fun to take walks here, you can go forever and never see another human, lots of animals, but no humans.

Ben's Animals

My nephew has been involved in FFA and 4-H for several years now. This year he is raising a pig, with hopes to show in "The Majors". "Pig is his Hartford pig. right now he weighs about 80 lbs. He feels he will be close to 270 when he shows. He has to behave and act politely while in front of the judges. Ben works with "Pig" everyday, so that he is ready.

Ben is also raising a Lamb for FFA this year. It also needs care and exercise (not his favorite activity). Since the lamb prefers his pen, Ben just ties him to his bike rides out away fro the pens and then let's him go -- the lamb runs full tilt back to his pen, safety and food. A couple of times a day and the lamb should be in great shape by show time.

Pumpkins

Everyone has them here; front porch, back porch, lining driveways, in stacks in the entryways. I remember that from visiting Canyon Lake, TX last year. In this part of the country they are preserved for use in Soup. Cookies, Breads and Pies throughout the coming year.

They are very decorative too. I know it is fall in Texas.

Earth

I have always wanted to have a picture of this sign. It is at the end of the journey to my sisters home in the panhandle of Texas. Seems that the others travelling with me in the past were interested in the picture, but for some reason the driver was ready to be at their destination. I guess the destination is not clear at this point in ,my life, but I know that right here and right now I am only 38 miles from Earth.

My sister works in Earth, my neice and 2 nephews go to school in Earth. From Lynn's house it takes about 30 minutes to drive to Earth (and for you socal people, they drive 65 here), so I guess you could say this is a very grounded area. I was listening to the radio as I drove through Hereford (can you guess what is big in this area) and they were talking about the Sat. morning auction. They also made sure that everyone knew that there was a prayer meeting in the half hour prior to the auction. Talk about keeping your priorities straight.

That commercial brought to mind a Thanksgiveing reunion about 16 years ago back here when we had 40 - 50 people in the new barn at my sisters for "The Feast". We went and borrowed tables and chairs from the community center and decorated with native plantings (thanks to Gma Carolyn and grandchildren) and everyone brought a dish. Now out here there are no delis and most everything comes from the land, so this food was truly from the people attending. It was beautiful, the people were casual but appropriatley dressed and all was set-up and ready to eat.

One of the elder farmers was asked to "Bless" the meal. I still cry to this day as I remember this gentleman, thanked God for the rain and the sun and the soil and the strenghth to bring forth the bounty that we were all about to share. It made me realize that these "Men" who worked almost non-stop (not always in Church on Sunday) to provide for their families and so many others thoughout this country and the world, were awesome "Men" of God. They are proud of their country, their state, their community, and their families, but most important, humbled in God's presence, realizing that without his blessing, none of it would be possible.

Maybe that is why this was my first stop on this journey. To reconnect and realize that without God nothing good, and wonderful and fulfilling is possible. Thank you God.

Sunrise in New Mexico

My Grand daughter and I were talking about Sunrises the other day. I had seen a couple while hanging clothes on their line. It reminded me of when I had children at home. Sunrise and the clothesline were a great time to talk to God; to thank him for the new day, a chance to make it right again. It was when I could lay things out before the Lord and ask him about things. It was a time of quiet, so I could listen for his
response.





Anyway, my Grand daughter was sharing with me that
she had only experienced one sunrise and that she had
to have cocoa to stay warm. For some reason, when I
am talking to God, I usually feel warm, and safe, and
right, and strong. It is when I stop talking to him that I lose that most precious feeling, so I have decided to start
enjoying the sunrises and talking to God.

New Mexico was a great start. I was on I-40 and just
had an amazing talk with God, Monday morning. I
sang prasies, thanked him for his power in my life and
the new day before me. I asked him to protect my
family and loved ones (especially Agatha) and to keep
us all safe until we are all together again. I lifted up my
concerns for him to handle, because I know of no one
else better suited to do that and I thanked him for
glorys he has so graciously provided me, not because I

deserved them, but because God loves me.

What a wonderful beginning to a super day on the road of life. I know I will be enjoying the sunrise that God provides more and more.

I am no longer Employed

I am now a free woman, well almost. My final day of work was Friday November 9, 2007. I begin look for work the first of the year. Now is the time to figure out my path. God is so awesome. He has a plan for me, I just need to tune in and figure out what he has in mind.

After the Mission Inn run on Sunday, I will be on the road, seeking peace, calm, healing and God's desires for my life path.

Where My Stuff Lives

I moved. At least I moved my stuff. It is taking a vacation from daily use, while I try to figure out "Me". There is this cool place in Riverside that is kinda tucked back in and seems to be pretty safe for "My Stuff". I figure next year will be a good time to get it back. Right now I need to find "Me". I am glad that until then there is a place for "My Stuff".

This was the kind of day it was on Sat., while Rick, Joe and I moved "My Stuff". I needed the sun, almost felt like God was giving me the thumbs up on my recent life choices. Like I ask Jess, "How could something that my head knows is so right, hurt so bad?" My answers lay in God's hands, I know he has a plan, I trust him, I need to learn to rely on his power. He will show me the way. God gave me a beautiful Saturday, right?

Kool-aid

Does anyone remember this? I come from a family of 5 kids born in the 50's. My Mom had a Koolaid pitcher like you remember from the commercials. "Kool-aid, Kool-aid, tastes great, wish we had some, can't wait." Mom made it with less sugar and added fruit juice (we thought it was to taste better).

Well, I have 4 of my own children (Blessings), so it did not take long to save up enough koolaid points to get a free pitcher and a dozen cups. I wonder what happened to them all (some are buried in Gavilan Hills I am sure). This one did not look like the commercials, but sure carried alot of memories.

Kids are gone, life is unstable and memories must be in my heart and mind now. Time to part with the"STUFF". Anyone want mine?

Sweeter Side of Life

I have been using up stuff in the house lately and being experimental. Lots of cake mixes left from the plan to be birthday mom for many years. Anyway, I do remember from years ago that you can make cookies from them. You just add one egg and a softened cube of butter or margarine. You bake them at 350 degrees for about 13 min. They can be quite Tasty. I stated experimenting before my son Steven left for Italy (to study abroad for a semester).

Last night was a very successful endeavor. Wonderfully delicious outcome.

Lemon Cake mix

egg

1/4 c. marg.

1/2 c. applesauce

1/2 bran

3/4 c. chopped walnuts

3/4 c. cranraisins

3/4 c. white choc chips

You should experiment too.

Running Away

Life is getting overwhelming. I want to run away NOW! Have to wait a month. Lots to do, go through, finish, tie up. I do not want to face it.

I have been preparing to speak 5 minutes on the "Hope" we have in God. I know why. I need to know that through all of this strife, God is with me, walking alongside, sometimes supporting, and other times pulling me as I kick and scream in pain.

• Thank you Lord for your patience with my stubbornness.


• Thank you for your peace with my turmoil.


• Thank you for your healing with my sickness.


• Thank you for providing people in my life to assure me that I am loved.


• Thank you Lord for your steadfast love in this time of my questioning my life purpose. You are my purpose Lord and look forward to this time to seek your path for me.

I sing Praises

Testing

I really need to work on getting photos and learning to download them of the net. More projects and things to learn

Kitesurfing

This is what I want to do when I grow up ,well maybe not quite,but sort of. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JzN1LzWhig. I am already looking into lessons next spring. I will have to talk with my "Big Brother" Mark about it. He knows how to do alot of water sports. This one just looks like an awful lot of fun.

Fun is kind of my focus right now. My Kids and Father (Carol too) gave me a 2 night escape at the http://www.newportchannelinn.com/. Perfect choice, I did not go anywhere but the beach, sun patio and http://www.cappyscafe.com/ for the whole visit. I did wish I had a camera, but my mind gets to keep the view close. Morning and evening surfers,wind rippled sand in the late afternoon, the winter surf community (photographers, die hard surfers, guys that drive out n the sand to check out the surf), It was GREAT!!!!

Lots of reading and prayer time, trying to ready myself for the challenges that lay ahead. My thanks to all involved, your support means more that I will ever be able to express. I just need to set my focus on God's power and majesty that he shows in the ocean. Based on that I know that he has the power and majesty to pull me through this experience. Thank you God.

The Fair

I forgot one of the most moving parts of the fair Friday. It was the Exhibit of Millard Sheets in The art gallery named after him. This year is his 100 year anniversary. I knew of him through his Home Savings Buildings throughout So Cal. This man was given an extraordinary talent and used it for so much good. I was pretty overwhelmed by his abilities. Any Art Lover should check it out at http://www.fairplex.com/fp/foundations/MillardSheets/exhibition.asp

WOW, The LA County Fair

I did it, I really did it. Past 50. born in California, lived in So. Cal. for at least 35 years and I finally made it to the LA county Fair. It was a blast. I saw a true "Bed of Flowers" (daybed frame around a flower bed), Watusi Cattle (from Africa, with the largest horns in the world), a tarantula in his web, and the most beautiful handknit sweater done by a woman from Riverside (sorry I did not get her name). It got a special Judges award as well as a blue ribbon.

There was TONS of other stuff to see and I watched several demos, like making arrangements with stuff from your yard (who ever knew you could wire a bunch of little flowers together to make a big one) and cool table setting with lots of stuff gathered up from around your house. I tasted lots of things, touch lots of creatures and experienced as much as 9 hours at an uncrowded fair on a gorgeous day could provide.

I feel like I am 10 again. Even though lots of things I had seen and heard before, it all seemed so new. It is so neat how God can let us see the same things in a different light if we just open our hearts to him. Thank you God for giving me this day and all the joy that it brought to my heart.

Oh, and I have decided that it is time to get a digital camera, so I can show you all the wonderful things that I see.

Like that Teal

Think I will stick with it. Now I need to get some pictures up and running.

Now I need to pick a text color. Time to expperiment.

Oh my goodness!

Well, I could not get my page to be teal, maybe soon, but I can write in teal. That is one of those colors that has remained a favorite throughout my years. Must go with my skin, because it looked good when my hair was brown, dishwater blonde and now strikingly white (with a bit of darker).



It is amazing as I reflect back on my life, what it has brought to me. The realization that that phrase we have heard forever is so true. Keep your priorities straight - God First, then family, everything else will fall into place in God's plan if you keep it straight. As I reflect, how many times have I strayed off that path, no wonder I am "Over the Hill" on the outside and yet still feel 30 on the inside. God has been so faithful in always herding me back into his fold. To that I give him all the glory.



This is a first, but I will learn, as I always have and someday it will appear that I have my act together. Of course the ultimate will be the day that I actually do have my act together (I will let you know when that happens).