Daily Inspirations

I've been thinking about this blogging thing lately, how it is such a big part of my life now, like an addiction: I look at it every day, think about what to blog during the day and think about other blogs I have read. It's taken the place of daytime TV (the Today show, Oprah-well the re-runs anyway). It's a good thing and a bad thing I guess. It's interesting that even tho I am sitting here in my little cramped apartment in a city of thousands, I feel connected to others through the wonder of the internet. Does it take the place of "real" human interaction? If I didn't have this would I be out making connections in real life, or just sitting here being depressed about not knowing anyone? Hmmmm...
Anyway, I thought I would put down my thoughts about how blogging has affected me~
It allows me to burn up some of my creativity, by designing the page and all, I know there are those out there that do it "for real" and I don't compare myself to them, it's just fun to tinker with things on here!
I have "met" some amazing women and gained insights to my own life by reading their ponderings. I've also kept in touch with friends I love, that I may not otherwise have been a part of their happenings~so cool! Like Katie B, we met in college at TVCC so many years ago (13 to be exact) she was Katie P then, and formed a wonderful friendship. It's been fun to watch her find a guy, get married and now her cute kids are growing up. I remember sitting on the porch swing on the front porch of the old farm house in Imbler talking about guys-how do you know which one is "the" one! Now I get to peek in on her life and still feel connected. I love following my cousin Cristi on her world travels, living vicariously!
Of course seeing pictures and keeping up with my kids and grandkids is an added bonus. That Meggie is so dang cute! I miss Rachel and her (Casey too) so much it hurts sometimes. I saw a girl walking down the street yesterday that looked like Rachel; same body shape, same hair style and color, (until I got closer and she wasn't as cute) but I immediately broke out in tears; you crazy old woman, I told myself, pull yourself together! (It must be hormones). Anyway, I digress...
Then there are those who I follow that I have never met, only through the blog-world, but they are instant friends. Some of my favorites to read you may enjoy as well:
The Confessions of a Pioneer Woman: I love Ree's take on life from the perspective of an Oklahoma ranch wife-so fun! Livin' Louisiana: Since I can't just jump on a plane and get there, this is the next best thing, she spreads the spicy flavor of that part of the south so well, and an added bonus to find out we are connected by our shared religious belief! NieNieDailogues: I feel honored to get a glimpse into the life of this courageous woman, who is recovering (along with her husband) from a horrible plane crash. I think of her so often when I think I have problems and wish for her strength. I pray for her recovery and comfort~this is one of the tender mercies of this blogging experience: my faith and spirituality has been strengthened by praying for a complete stranger~but a stranger no longer. The Haystack of Light: I found Krista through another blog (strange how I can find myself wandering through blogs and end up thinking "how did I get here?") this girl has spunk, creativity, and talent! I love reading about her life and gaining a stronger testimony of my Savior through her words. Segullah: this is a blog connected to a newsletter written by LDS women, always insightful and like this morning, made me cry like a baby with a touching post from a woman who is losing her mother.
So those are a few of my daily inspirations, people that keep me connected and moving on through this wonderful life.

Out to Africa

We had a great Memorial Day, eating and visiting with Draper & Sara, the boys, and Janet & Rick~ Draper leaves tomorrow for his summer drill. He will spend 1 month on the African continent, in the country of Benin. It is there between Nigeria and Togo (sorry the maps are so small-but you get the picture). They will be building a school there, out in the boonies, living in tents eating MRE's~kind of like scout camp!

Here's the gang~

Thanks Draper for serving your time, we'll miss you!

Good Reads

I recently received an invitation to join a friend on goodreads.com which got me thinking about books and my favorites (not a hard thing to do). I love to read and can easily get lost in a book, my second favorite is to talk to another book lover about books and authors that we love~~my college lit courses were like visiting heaven!

I have had books and authors running around in my head, keeping me up at night and the early morning ever since (thanks Shirley!). So I thought I would share some of my tops~let's say, five of my favorite authors:

One: L.M. Montgomery: "Anne of Green Gables" this series from my childhood~and forever after~started the fire burning. I was Anne, and I fell in love with her heart and the beauty of P.E.I.

Two: Fannie Flagg: "Fried Green Tomatoes", "Standing in the Rainbow" All of my favorite things wrapped up in one package, humor, stories from the south, strong women, history, mystery....

Three: Jane Kirkpatrick "All Together in One Place", an Oregon author who has the talent to put you in the shoes of those she writes about. I met her in person~a great lady.

Four: Bill Bryson "A Walk in the Woods", anytime a book can make me laugh out loud, it's a keeper!

Five: Stephen King "Pet Cemetery", "The Stand", Okay, so I know he's a little creepy, but I just have a creepy side, and I love the way he makes his characters real-I know these people-boy, that's scary!

Hope this gets your reading juices flowing~let me know your fav's~I love a good suggestion!!

I Need Help!

Left side

Right side

This is the view from my "patio" doors. I use that term loosely~the patio is about 8x10, surrounded by sad little plots of earth, a wall directly in front and fences on each side. A well-placed Maple with huge leaves and our 2 story building make for a generous lack of sunshine, only a few hours in the morning and late evening. So what do I do to spruce this place up? What plants do I plant in this one little patch of dirt? Do I go with pots?

So far I have one hosta, one bleeding heart that the squirrels attacked, one vinca in a pot, and one lavendar. I put up the old white bed frame (look familiar Rachel?) and planted sweet peas to grow up there~hope that works out~they've come up, now to keep the squirrels from eating them!

This is the only view from the downstairs, and I get a little crazy looking out there seeing sadness and desolation!

Can you tell how desperate I am by just showing you these awful pictures? HELP!

Beach Day

Arcadia State Park near Cannon Beach~~my favorite spot to enjoy a beach day!

Just looking at it brings back the peaceful "beachness" of it all.

Happy Toes!

Natie's design.

Questions???

Okay, I have a few blogging questions:
Followers, what is the purpose of adding yourself to someone's follower list? Does it just let them know that you are reading their blog?
How do you keep track of all the comments, like ones on past posts that you may not look at anymore?
Thanks!

Sunday's Joy

There's a smile behind that pacifier!

Draper, Sara and "the boys" came over for Sunday dinner and a visit~~my favorite thing. These boys are so dang cute, and it's the little times here and there where memories are made~Deacon's laugh as his daddy tickles his knees, Olson's funny remarks, a great snuggle while watching a movie. Grand kids are the greatest thing!

A Saturday in May

I have been blessed with wonderful friends throughout my life~This is Kathy, we've known each other since High School (35 years) yes, thirty-five years! Yes, I know we don't even look 35 years old~~but it is true. We met at good 'ol AHS and have traveled through the years always in each other's hearts. We've always been invited to the Kygar/Hay family get-togethers over the years and we just feel like we're a part of their extended family! We did it again this Saturday to say farewell to Erin (Kat's oldest daughter). She is leaving (on a jet plane) with her little family to spend three years in Germany (Army husband).

Megan, Kathy, and Erin

Matt (Army husband), Erin, Andrew, and new baby Ellie

Kathy (holding Ellie) and her sisters, Patti and Susie.

Shirley Day!

This is my friend Shirley (some of you already have the pleasure of her acquaintance). She recently had a birthday (I won't say which one), and we celebrated by having a fun day traveling around, shopping, lunching and just general craziness!!
I made her a little "quilt" table runner~~she loved it~~can you tell?

Mary Engelbreight, cherries!

Such fun! I love you Shirley!