It seemed that life here in Sunny had slowed down a bit this week...JJ is back at the university, school is back in session for the little ones in our world, Gramma & Grandpa are set to leave on holiday soon and our friends have returned to their home up north... And then tonight it hit me how much it had slowed down. We, the three of us, were watching a bug. It was buzzing in our living room and we were all three staring at it. The football game was on the big screen and yet...
Master Max had been watching the ceiling and ever since we had our big Eucalyptus trees trimmed he hasn't been too concerned about the leaves falling on the roof. So DJ turned down the football game so we could listen for the bug and help Max find it. Pitiful! Isn't that just pitiful!
We were all in a tither when we realized that the bug he wanted to catch was actually a bee. "DJ!! We can't let him catch that!" So we tried to distract him as much as possible, and then standing there in the middle of the room -- Max started to attack DJ's shirt. The bee had landed on his back. In a blaze of motion, DJ swashed it (I think that's a real word) off and it hit the sofa. DJ captured it in a rag and tossed it -- well, far away -- where Max would remain safe from the horrors of a bee sting.
And then we realized...the towel he'd used was our "Touchdown Towel" and Master Max promptly took the appropriate run around the family room, just as if he was indeed the victor or perhaps he was proud of his papa for conquering the curious creature and saving us all from horrors unknown.
9/8/08
9/6/08
America's Funniest...
Oh, if only they had this on the America's Funniest Video show. The moms might come into some good prize money... After yesterday's post, please enjoy this look at entirely normal darling children.
9/5/08
Ummm...
I came across this video on a website asking the question, Cute or Creepy? My vote is creepy. Some things just make you wonder... how in the world was this child put in this position? What was the context of this video or 'service' and so many more questions.
Feel free to share a comment. I promise not to add an organ background to the blog for this weekend...
Feel free to share a comment. I promise not to add an organ background to the blog for this weekend...
9/4/08
How Cool!
http://video.nbcsandiego.com/player/?id=289188
DJ was very frustrated on Tuesday night. We'd heard that Pastor Miles McPherson from California was going to speak at the Big Convention. We had two channels recording the time slot, and it seemed the hosts just commentated right over this brief appearance. But thanks to a tv station, we can all see excerpts from his remarks.
I tried to get it to put the little tv screen with the arrow on it to make it easy...but well, I'm sure you understand that sometimes these things are challenging....
***
We're going to be putting our little neighborhood together the next few days in place of the cave for the kids at church. There's just nothing quite like the smell of fresh paint to give you hope. As soon as possible, I'll show you how it turns out. We're going to make windows for the wall that really open -- how cool!
DJ was very frustrated on Tuesday night. We'd heard that Pastor Miles McPherson from California was going to speak at the Big Convention. We had two channels recording the time slot, and it seemed the hosts just commentated right over this brief appearance. But thanks to a tv station, we can all see excerpts from his remarks.
I tried to get it to put the little tv screen with the arrow on it to make it easy...but well, I'm sure you understand that sometimes these things are challenging....
***
We're going to be putting our little neighborhood together the next few days in place of the cave for the kids at church. There's just nothing quite like the smell of fresh paint to give you hope. As soon as possible, I'll show you how it turns out. We're going to make windows for the wall that really open -- how cool!
9/2/08
By the Sea
We could save this photo for our Christmas card ...but then Max would feel left out, eh. We recently had a lovely visit with our dear friends from Up North and our day at the harbor was just fabulous. You may recall I wrote about some of our adventures at the time. This shot was taken in between observing wedding sites three and four... (See this post for clarity.)
As you may know, DJ and I just celebrated our 25th anniversary and I suppose I'm a bit sentimental tonight. (Some times these moods hit and I ponder and ponder things.) We've had a most interesting 25 years. Life has had challenges certainly, and there will most likely be more; but God is good and He is always faithful. There is so much for which to be grateful.
And for friends and family near and far, we pray God will be with each one of you, keeping you safe and in the palm of his hand. That's a very good place to rest.
9/1/08
Bloggy Brunch
Recently I had a most delightful serendipity. Dear Sister Sheri and her family came to Sunny for a few days and we were able to meet for lunch. How absolutely fantastic! I was able to meet young Christopher and handsome Anthony and I can fully verify they are wonderful as she maintains on her blog, the Leaking Window.
We had a lovely time enjoying laughs, sharing stories of blog bits and discussing this crazy world of cyber-friends. We spoke of practical concerns and bloggers who don't have a single photo of them on their sites and the healthy limitations we should put in place when putting our personal information on our blogspots. What's the safest way to go from cyber-hugs to meeting for coffee that first time, for example. It was a delightful time together, for sure.
We had a lovely time enjoying laughs, sharing stories of blog bits and discussing this crazy world of cyber-friends. We spoke of practical concerns and bloggers who don't have a single photo of them on their sites and the healthy limitations we should put in place when putting our personal information on our blogspots. What's the safest way to go from cyber-hugs to meeting for coffee that first time, for example. It was a delightful time together, for sure.
All too soon we had to say goodbye. I had to get back to tearing down that cave, and Sister Sheri and her handsome guys had to catch their plane for Far Away. Sometimes good things have to end much too quickly. Won't it be nice when we have all the time in the world for our sweet tea? That table by the sea will beat any in Sunny any day...
8/31/08
Helpin' Mama Tonight
Well, Mama is busy, so I'm going to help her with this blog stuff. She says that her friend Elaine will be upset if she don't get somethin' on there soon, so I'll give it my best shot...
It's been quite a week-end here around Sunny and I'm not at all sure I'm going to forgive Mama & Papa anytime soon. They ask'd me if I'd like to go see Gramma & Grandpa and of course I got all excited when they said that because that always means a really long car ride and then Grandpa will usually give me some treats too. They did NOT tell me they were going up to the lake place and leaving me at Gramma & Grandpa's for three nights and four days.
Gramma was nice right off the bat. She got me some water in my bowl and put my food in a place away from that Miss Lexus and the rather snippity-snappity Miss Mercedes. Did I say three days and four nights yet? Yep. Miss Mercedes got in trouble first thing and had to go in her black cage. That was a relief, but the yipping-yapping didn't stop much at all. Miss Lexus wanted to play, but I was wonderin' about my papa and my mama. Big JJ left a few weeks ago and we haven't seen him around at all...
Gramma said my mama and papa went to the lake. She said they called and were having fun and saw lots of puppies up at the lake and missed me horribly, and felt bad that I didn't go to the lake with them. Don't do much good to tell a puppy that when he's trying to stand up for his own against a big puppy who wants all the hugs and a little yipper-yapper who clearly does not want my bowl anywhere near hers....
To fully complete my sleepover experience, I was left to find my own comfort and security outside, yes, outside in the back yard along with Miss Lexus for all three of those three nights. Miss Mercedes got to go upstairs and snuggle. Fine. Just fine. At least she left us alone; that's all I can say.
Two of the four days I did get a special treat and Grandpa took all of us for a run somewhere. I'd tell you, but I don't know the names of the streets up in Grammaandgrandpaville. It's somewhere close to where they have lots of water and sunshine and dirt. The dirt's kind of different and squishier. Grandpa got kind of twisted up with our three ropes. But we adjusted and it all worked out fine. He said I was in the wrong spot, but I was running just exactly where I wanted to run.
This morning, I thought all hope was gone. Gramma and Grandpa got those clothes on like Mama and Papa wear just that one day a week and I figured maybe this was going to be my new house 'cause maybe Mama and Papa had gone to be with Big JJ, and then....could it be true? I thought I might be dreaming... The big ol' fence opened and there was PAPA! It was really him!!! He'd come to rescue me from the struggles of the last three nights and four days. Then right behind him --- there she was too --- it was MAMA! Oh I began jumping and jumping and scooting Miss Lexus away because they were here, they were here, they were here!!! My Mama and Papa! I jumped so high I could give Papa kisses on his ears! Oh the relief. Puppies are rarely this joyful. Words simply fail me.
After a long, far-too-long time, we got in the car and made the long ride home. I've spent the evening fixing my pillows on the sofa, getting treats whenever they look at me and I remind them how much I missed them, and sleeping. I will sleep most contentedly this evening. Alone at the foot of Papa on the big bed. All is right with the world here in Sunny tonight.
And Mama promises she'll be back at Grace Today tomorrow.
It's been quite a week-end here around Sunny and I'm not at all sure I'm going to forgive Mama & Papa anytime soon. They ask'd me if I'd like to go see Gramma & Grandpa and of course I got all excited when they said that because that always means a really long car ride and then Grandpa will usually give me some treats too. They did NOT tell me they were going up to the lake place and leaving me at Gramma & Grandpa's for three nights and four days.
Gramma was nice right off the bat. She got me some water in my bowl and put my food in a place away from that Miss Lexus and the rather snippity-snappity Miss Mercedes. Did I say three days and four nights yet? Yep. Miss Mercedes got in trouble first thing and had to go in her black cage. That was a relief, but the yipping-yapping didn't stop much at all. Miss Lexus wanted to play, but I was wonderin' about my papa and my mama. Big JJ left a few weeks ago and we haven't seen him around at all...
Gramma said my mama and papa went to the lake. She said they called and were having fun and saw lots of puppies up at the lake and missed me horribly, and felt bad that I didn't go to the lake with them. Don't do much good to tell a puppy that when he's trying to stand up for his own against a big puppy who wants all the hugs and a little yipper-yapper who clearly does not want my bowl anywhere near hers....
To fully complete my sleepover experience, I was left to find my own comfort and security outside, yes, outside in the back yard along with Miss Lexus for all three of those three nights. Miss Mercedes got to go upstairs and snuggle. Fine. Just fine. At least she left us alone; that's all I can say.
Two of the four days I did get a special treat and Grandpa took all of us for a run somewhere. I'd tell you, but I don't know the names of the streets up in Grammaandgrandpaville. It's somewhere close to where they have lots of water and sunshine and dirt. The dirt's kind of different and squishier. Grandpa got kind of twisted up with our three ropes. But we adjusted and it all worked out fine. He said I was in the wrong spot, but I was running just exactly where I wanted to run.
This morning, I thought all hope was gone. Gramma and Grandpa got those clothes on like Mama and Papa wear just that one day a week and I figured maybe this was going to be my new house 'cause maybe Mama and Papa had gone to be with Big JJ, and then....could it be true? I thought I might be dreaming... The big ol' fence opened and there was PAPA! It was really him!!! He'd come to rescue me from the struggles of the last three nights and four days. Then right behind him --- there she was too --- it was MAMA! Oh I began jumping and jumping and scooting Miss Lexus away because they were here, they were here, they were here!!! My Mama and Papa! I jumped so high I could give Papa kisses on his ears! Oh the relief. Puppies are rarely this joyful. Words simply fail me.
After a long, far-too-long time, we got in the car and made the long ride home. I've spent the evening fixing my pillows on the sofa, getting treats whenever they look at me and I remind them how much I missed them, and sleeping. I will sleep most contentedly this evening. Alone at the foot of Papa on the big bed. All is right with the world here in Sunny tonight.
And Mama promises she'll be back at Grace Today tomorrow.
8/27/08
And so...
Today we're back to our things. JJ begins classes. I've taken down our fabulous cave and we'll start preparing our new set today. DJ is in a new phase for his latest project. Master Max chased away the biggest coyote of the summer last night.... the list goes on and on.
Days come and go that seem fairly average and routine, pursuing life at its best and working toward accomplishing much...then you hear the news. You may see it in the newspaper, hear it on television or perhaps the phone rings late at night. Tragedy strikes again. It's amazing how often it seems to strike these days. And each time, we're surprised. We think "That couldn't be happening!" Not to my friend. Not to my friend's mother or father or cousin... Doesn't God understand? They have so much more life to do. They have brand new grandbabies ~ or haven't seen their kids marry or grandbabies arrive... "God, they can't handle this pain" we think. We don't understand. But this we know: God is with us and one day all our tears will be wiped away.
Please visit Beloved MaMa today and leave a hug. No matter how average your day is, please take time if you can...
Days come and go that seem fairly average and routine, pursuing life at its best and working toward accomplishing much...then you hear the news. You may see it in the newspaper, hear it on television or perhaps the phone rings late at night. Tragedy strikes again. It's amazing how often it seems to strike these days. And each time, we're surprised. We think "That couldn't be happening!" Not to my friend. Not to my friend's mother or father or cousin... Doesn't God understand? They have so much more life to do. They have brand new grandbabies ~ or haven't seen their kids marry or grandbabies arrive... "God, they can't handle this pain" we think. We don't understand. But this we know: God is with us and one day all our tears will be wiped away.
Please visit Beloved MaMa today and leave a hug. No matter how average your day is, please take time if you can...
8/25/08
To Have and To Hold
Who would've imagined...twenty-five years ago...
We'd be living in Sunny and have ocean views.
We'd be living in Sunny and have ocean views.
And a barbecue to use on Christmas Day.
With our fabulous grown-up son, JJ.
And our Max, protector of things large and small.
And our Max, protector of things large and small.
And love to last a lifetime.
Can't wait to see what's next...
"Love and faithfulness meet together." Psalm 85:10
8/22/08
Tagged!
Just a while back dear Liz at Kentucky Bound tagged me... That is always such a compliment. This one is titled, " The 7 Song Tag" and that sounded (sorry) like such fun. I'm supposed to list my seven favorite songs for this summer. The rules didn't include saying why I was enjoying them, but I'm going to go ahead and pontificate on that a bit.- Sand on My Feet recorded by Donna Summer on "Crayons" ~ It just makes me feel happy! I'm spending a lot more time at the beach or near it this year. And that's a good thing!
- Amazing Grace/My Chains Fell Off ~ I love this Chris Tomlin version of the old hymn. It's right up there with the Wintley Phipps version, but that one isn't 'special' for the summer.
- What a Wonderful World ~ I've always loved this song. It's on a couple cds that I have in the changer presently. (I know, I need an IPod. I'll bring that up with the Birthday Fairy also.)
- Cuppycake ~ It's just so adorable. I heard it first on Amy's blog (Life and Times of Life at Home) and then my dear friend, CCR, referred it to me as well. So it's a double-hitter!
- Summertime ~ An old favorite as well. I've got in on my playlist recorded by Scarlett Johansson. Nobody seems to know about 'Porgy & Bess' and I think it's cool that this young actress/singer recorded it.
- Give Me Jesus ~ I fell in love with these lyrics the first time I heard Fernando Ortega and saw him sing it with the cellist and classical guitarist. Wow ~ That just sums it up.
- It Is Well ~ as recorded by Selah. If you've read the blog, you'll understand. This is a classic hymn for all time, but given the circumstances of the spring, I hear this and remember God's faithfulness and the Peace He gives regardless of our situations.
So there we have it! I'm supposed to pass this on to seven friends, so here goes:
- Amy at Life and Times of Life at Home
- Sheri at The Leaking Window
- Mama at Faith, Hope & Love Mama
- Christelle at Beloved Mama
- Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee
- Joy at Joy of Desserts
- Elaine at Peace for the Journey
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