A car repair sort of day...

I knew it was coming down the pike. Just a matter of time. My car guys at the Ford garage had been telling me for the last several oil changes that my brakes would need attention soon. I could hear them rubbing lately, so I told them to do what they had to do. Unfortunately, all four needed to be replaced. It made for a long day of waiting. I could have driven home, but I didn't know how long it would be and I didn't want to have to just turn around and drive the 12 miles back. So, I had lunch, read a book in the Burger King parking lot, went to the library and read some more. Finally, I headed back to the garage and my car was ready: oil change and inspection, and new brakes all around. Spendy, but it has to be done.

Nathan and Josh have been doing some fishing. These are from a week or so back. They went again today and caught a rock bass, but didn't have as much luck. I think they caught four nice ones on this particular day.

When Josh was a boy he would get on his bike with his fishing rod and go fishing off of a local bridge or public pier. He was older than Nathan is now. Probably 12 or so. Worried me because he couldn't swim! But he made it.

When I got home from town today, Nathan and I picked some grass and fed Micah's horse over the fence. He thought that was pretty cool.

Short post, but I'm kind of tired from all of the sitting around I did today, lol. Hope you're all having beautiful weather. We sure are!

Shalom and blessings on all of you! :)

Happy Easter, everyone!

Have a blessed Easter!

I'm waiting for Josh, Jess and Nathan to bring me home some Thai takeout. I've never eaten Thai food...as far as I remember. (Update: It was really good! We got the Scandinavian, not-too-spicy version. This restaurant is located in a tiny town about 20 miles from here. The wife is Thai and her husband has been to Thailand. You get to choose how spicy you want your food.)

A  couple of photos I haven't shared yet.

Yesterday, on the way home from the hospital, Nathan and the family stopped off in the town of Detroit Lakes. He went hunting for shells on the beach and found some really big snail shells. There's still a lot of ice on that big lake.

Josh and Nathan visited our local Nevis lake beach today. If you look at the photo right about where Josh's hairline is, you'll see white stuff in the lake. Yup, that's ice. They waded around anyway! It was about 70 degrees today. Yay!

Adam's grandmother is making quilts for all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Micah got this photo of some of the kids trying out Hazel's new quilt. Hazel picked out one quilt square that was her particular favorite. I'm not sure which one it is.

And a few more of the pack...

Audrey is such a good big sister!

Can you tell they had been eating chocolate chip muffins?

Finally! A smile from Mr. Serious!

I actually went for a one mile walk today. The trail is finally all clear. Unfortunately, I tried to be macho and didn't wear socks. I ended up with bloody heels. I'll know better next time! But it's a start! (I would have walked farther if that hadn't happened. Really. I would have.)

I went to the thrift store yesterday and picked up some summery tops. I'm about ready to switch my closet over from winter to summer. Woo hoo!

God bless y'all for stopping by! Happy Easter and Happy Birthday, Glenn! :)
Shalom!

Nathan's coming home temporarily...

Sorry to keep talking about this, but I have family who look here for updates. Josh and Jess decided that a week was long enough in the ER. They figure Nathan can wait here at home while the hospitals decide where he can be taken. Hopefully, there won't be too much excitement in the meantime. Josh will be present at all times in case Nathan has problems. This is why he can't hold a regular job and works online. (Please pray for more online work! He's getting some, for which we're thankful, but he needs more.) A psychiatric nurse practitioner saw Nathan yesterday and is trying a change of meds, but Nathan still needs a more thorough examination. He's also going to try going to school with lots of special ed help. I'm quaking in my boots a bit, but trying to keep my focus on the Lord Who is our help at all times.

This grandma just needs energy and to acknowledge that it's not all up to me AND it's not all up to Josh to shoulder the burdens. Jesus said to give our cares to Him. We just need to learn to really do that. He is faithful!

Saw my first robin yesterday, you guys! He was taking a bath in the ice water puddle in my front yard. Brave soul! I guess that means it's spring! Remember this Hazel quote from a few years ago? I superimposed it onto someone else's art, hee hee.

That's all for now. Trying to keep up on everyone's blogs. You guys light up my life! :)
Shalom to all my friends and family!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

MERRRRY CHRISTMAS! (From Thatcher and the whole gang, lol.)

Tough lookin' fella! ;)

And Nathan got to go home from the hospital last night! For good! Yay!

Love you all! Stay safe and enjoy every minute of the holidays. Thank you, Jesus, for coming down to abide with us.
Shalom!

Where have I been?!?

Really! Just wanderin' around, I guess, lol. Not even caring to check in with my buds. I have been reading your posts, though I'm sure I have a little catching up to do.

Well, I haven't been up to anything particularly earthshaking. It seems like the days just fly by and I'm not sure what became of them.

I've spent one Wednesday afternoon helping package up craft supplies for VBS. We probably have another couple of days worth of work to get that all done. Today was my second time to practice with my fellow singers for leading worship. Worship is a very unpolished thing at this little church, but they do welcome anyone who wants to participate in leading. We had a mixture of adults and kids. We use YouTube videos with lyrics on the contemporary songs (2) and then the rest is hymns. In recent years I've been used to churches with "worship bands" who took care of all of this. This little church has a pianist and an organist, so in an attempt to please some of the younger members we've added some contemporary songs. Like I say, unpolished, but everyone is enthusiastic! I still have a way to go as far as "rehabilitating" my vocal cords which have suffered from lack of use, lol.

In Sunday School we're working on scripture memorization and I decided to incorporate a little artwork with my memorization. I had a  journal sitting empty and I decided I would write my verses in it as I memorized them, and draw a little illustration. No reference photos allowed; just a doodle out of my head.  Isaiah 26:3 is next in line.

I've been doing a lot of reading. I just finished The Oath by Frank Peretti, and am still working on The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis.

 While reading The Oath, I came across a tiny little folded bit of paper which appeared to have been tucked in the book for many years. (The is a library book sale find.) So, I unfolded it and what should appear but this...A drawing of some guy! He now resides with my collage bits. I may just glue him into a collage someday. I couldn't bring myself to throw him in the trash!

I have a hankering to begin reading The Works of Josephus, but the printing is so tiny. Maybe... I certainly have no shortage of books to choose from! Also making steady progress in my Bible. What a blessing!

My little grandson Nathan, who's eight years old, is back at the residential treatment place. He just got out of there a couple of weeks ago. He's been having problems again with episodes of anger and it's kind of reached scary levels. Please send up a
prayer for him and my dear son and daughter-in-law. I contacted a cousin in Texas who I know is a prayer warrior and he told me he and his wife had gone through exactly the same thing with their daughter many years back. He invited Josh and Jess to contact him for support. That in itself is a gift from God! As my cousin said, it's such a relief just to talk to someone who's gone through what you're experiencing.

I've unearthed the notes for a YA (or is it a 'tween?) novel I've been making notes on for about 10 years (LOL) and scribbled a few more. I keep talking myself out of even attempting a book. Does the world need another book? I ask. We shall see.

I've begun drying some of my violas for use in collages. 

 I see so many pretty wildflowers when walking on the trail, but I'm sure there's probably a law against picking them. I did see what I figure must be the last columbine of the season and I quickly snatched it up and stuffed it in my pocket! (It was in an area that had been mowed, so I figure it's fair game! It's not our state flower or anything.)

 Lastly, I made this little kingfisher card for an ATC buddy.

Everyone have a safe 4th!
Shalom and love to all!

Another goodbye...

My sweet son hit the road again this morning, returning home to Kentucky. We thought he would be here a lot longer, but circumstances keep changing and his wife asked if he could come back home. So, I just saw that Josh posted this photo on Facebook. He's about 4.5 hours down the road, and I'm glad to see it's sunny and cheerful where he is.

I'm praying for him in so many areas of life. Not only the healing of the relationship with his wife, but also that his business will prosper so he can take care of his family without any unnecessary stress. Above all, that he will feel the joy and strength that come from his Lord alone.

Here Josh is enjoying an evening with some old friends. This is his old taekwondo master, Nick, who is more like a brother, and Nick's wife Flo. Sweet people and just what Josh needed. He helped with a few taekwondo classes while he was here.

Hey, I forgot to post some photos of Audrey with her new haircut! She decided she wanted her hair really short. Mama Micah wasn't too sure she liked the idea but she decided, "Oh well. It will grow back..."

Before

During

After

That's my cute, sassy little granddaughter! :) And she got a homemade cookie for being so good. Her hairdresser is a lady from our church who works out of her country home. (Country Couture, I believe is the name.)

These are Josh's kiddos, Nathan and Starry. They're excited to see their Daddy again. Starry woke up this morning and told her mom, "I just had a dream that Daddy's coming home!" God gave her a dream! I'm so glad their dad will be back with them soon. He's worked hard to keep in touch with them while he was here.

Well, back to my single way of life. I'm going to have to keep busy and try to remember Josh's happiness instead of how much I miss him. I am happy for him. For Josh's sake I pray that this little family will stay together and that what Satan meant for evil God will use for good.

My favorite fall candy! I sent a container of this for Nathan and Starrry along with a coloring book and a couple of children's books.

 I did a few more rows on this little dishcloth. It's good knitting weather today. Wet and cold.

 Here are some random ATCs. Hopefully I haven't shown these already.
The first four are for a swap called Only One Eye. Basically, draw something with only one eye showing! Plankton is my favorite little cyclops. :)

 A mushroom ATC, with and without ink outline. For future reference.

 This little owl was drawn on brown paper with a white gel pen and some colored pencils.

 This fawn was drawn on a paint chip and then cut out and pasted onto the background. The name of the paint color was Gentle Fawn. This was for a swap called Paint Chip ATCs.

And now I will visit some of you! :)

Shalom, my good friends and family!

My great blogging friends...

Thanks to all of you for your kind comments concerning my mom and my health issues. You're the best!

I did finally go to the clinic today. Woo hoo! Been threatening for quite some time! The PA I saw said my lungs sound fine, but are probably just a little irritated from the secretions they're having to put up with. He was a little more concerned with my sinus pain and low grade fever. So, he prescribed an antibiotic which I've begun to take. I expect that this will take care of my problems, and I'm so glad I decided to go in.

I haven't been doing a whole lot while I've been under the weather. I did watch a scad of movies over the weekend: Pride and Prejudice (the four hour version), Persuasion (the 80's version), Jane Eyre (the Toby Stephens version) and Night at the Museum (with the kooky Neaderthal guy).

I've been trying to keep up with my 29 Faces challenge. Here are the latest...

Maybe I can dig up some new grandkid photos. Well, here's an assortment of kids and grandkids... :)

Here's my sweet son, Josh. He's growing out his head hair a little.

And here he is with Nathan and Starry.

This is what Micah calls her Walmart Freak Show. She's wearing Sully, Hazel's sticking her tongue out, Adele is saying something, and the little boy with the brown hair is Micah's nephew, Max. Audrey is in school. Micah babysits Max a couple of days a week. She's a brave gal and doesn't mind doing this sort of thing...most of the time!

Jordan and friend Andrew, clowning around.

Adele takes her superhero job very seriously. The binky makes the outfit. (Not to mention the slippers!)

I don't remember what Audrey was so excited about, but this is the only recent photo I have of her, lol.

Yup, Sully (aka Bubba) is always this sweet. I think he's the spittin' image of his dad, and seems to have his dad's temperament. He's a blessing!

Well, that's all I have for ya at the moment! I hope you're all well and happy as a bunch of clams.
Have a shalom filled week! :)

My sketchbook is on tour!

Remember when I filled up a sketchbook and sent it to New York City to be part of The Sketchbook Project? Well, it's now on tour along with many others! The chances of anyone actually looking at it are infinitesimal, but it's an interesting happening (for me) just the same.

 Pom, the tour will come to North Boulder on July 23. You can find details here. Apparently, you have to RSVP if you want to go. This is probably the only stop on the tour where I know anybody. (I used to live just outside of Boulder, so I can almost visualize where my book will be!) If you should decide to go I think they can look up the book by my name or it's ID# which is B826081. Anyway, it's fun that mine actually made it on a tour. They don't all get to do that. (I think it's a random pick thing.) You can find more posts about the sketchbook here.

Josh and family came up for a visit for a couple of days. It was good to see all of them and spend some time with my grands, Nathan and Starry. I miss my boy, but it looks like things will work out better for them in Kentucky than here. Jess's large family offers her lots of support with the kids as the whole family faces some challenges. (I talked more about those challenges in this post. The problems with Jess's siblings that I mentioned in that post seem to be resolving themselves.) They do hope to move 10 or 15 minutes away from her family to a place of their own in the future, but for now will live with her folks and siblings. They live on a very nice farm in the country near Paint Lick, Kentucky. (Love that name!)  I think communal/extended family living is an idea whose time has come in our present economy. So many struggle financially or health-wise, and an extended family living under one roof can help to share burdens. Of course, being human beings, it can be difficult living in close quarters, but it can also be an opportunity for growth. Anyway, I'm praying that they will not only survive, but thrive!

Nathan and Starry walk in Paul Bunyan's footsteps in Pequot Lakes, MN.

Starry playing in the lake just a couple of blocks from my apartment.

Nathan having some park time. They went to a LOT of parks while they were here.

This picture popped up on Facebook. Son Jordan, skating with friends somewhere in the Fort Worth area. :)

And a few cute pictures of Micah's three girls...

Adele, with her hair blowing in the breeze, lol.

Sweet Audrey. She's trying to loosen another tooth so the tooth fairy will bring her something good!

Hazel and Audrey

Hazel aka Hazey

Ha, ha. So much fun!

Sorry! When Micah does these "photo shoots" I just have to put them all up here for posterity!

Now that the company has headed home I may settle back into some art projects and reading. I have several books going at the moment.

I came home a little early today because I was feeling kind of puny and we were pretty much caught up and well-staffed at work, for once. So, I'll take it easy and play a bit. Thanks for looking in on this rather longish post. If you made it this far...THANKS! :)

Have a great rest of your day!
Shalom!