It started out so amazing

sitting in the Nail salon and the TV was on
I am not a big football fan, but my family know all about it
So sometimes I listen up so I am not too much  in the dark..
...and I don't watch TV at home

So, I was a little distracted from my book, when the screen showed pictures of a trophy winner football hero.

The audio was soft but I heard enough to know he had a beautiful wife, Mechelle, and two sons that loved him.

His life started out very simple. His father left the family of 5 boys, in a ramshackle house in Mississippi, his mother working very hard to take care of her family.   He was very close to his mother and family. Stayed close as an adult.

He was the star for the Titans and the Ravens and went to the Super Bowl and...
Well, he was an amazing football player.

Pictures on the screen confirmed a gifted football player.  A quarterback to be exact.  A major player in the teams success.

Not on the screen, but goes without saying, this man earned a great deal.  Not just fame, and trophies, but money.

Then on the screen, a cemetery.  This story is taking place now, 10 years after his death.

Wait.... why is the technician changing the channel....I am looking right at him and he is looking at the screen and holding the remote and now.... one of those infomercials.  A probiotic organic super food.  Green.... much more information than I want to know , but he leaves it there.

So, home I go, to google I go and find out the end of the story.

Not a happy ending.  Naturally, when  death is involved it is not happy.
This was a murder. A double murder.
This man, had a girlfriend 15 years his junior and ..... she shot him and then took her own life,
 on the 4th of July 2009


Now, 10 years later his wife is able to talk about it publicly.     
And you can google it and find out all the details too.
With just three names listed above, you can find out more than you want or need to know

And why..
why am I writing about this ?
I will tell you why.   Here is a man, gifted beyond most, loving wife and family, big paychecks, fame, honor.....  and he blows it.

I am gifted in very little, but God has gifted us all.  I have a loving family.  No big  paychecks. No fame.  No honor....but I am thankful and blessed and
praying I will never need such a shocking reminder of the value of life

I had never heard his name before.  But, I don't think I will ever forget it.
And that is sad.



Thankful to live in America
Celebrated with family
this 4th of July,  in a small town with a very fun parade and many happy children watching and content with a few pieces of candy from the marching clowns.

God has blessed America

God has blessed me 

An annual event

I have attended this fair many times
Once, my sister and I got an early start and there, also getting an early start, was my friend Marilyn !
We spent the day together
Another year, with my sister, we ran into our cousin Fred and his wife Carole.  We did not spend the day with them, but, they loved the jacket I was trying on and gave me permission to splurge. So I did. And I do love that jacket.




It is always the last weekend in July and according to Lloyd's of London
there is the least chance of rain in the entire year.
And usually, they are right

And usually, we take a stroll through the artist's displays and have dinner from the various vendors
OK. usually I have corn on the cob
This year....I had french fries and strawberry shortcake !

It was amazing and a good price, so hubby went and got one for himself


Along the way we ran into Don and Sue ( right at the ice cream / rotary club booth )  Al and Nancy ( long time Bellevue friends ) and Jene and MaryAnn from our favorite Boarding House Restaurant ).   Seems we always run into someone we like. 


Across the street are the more casual artists and the Bellevue Art Museum. They were featuring activities especially for kids

Kids like me 

Build yourself a smore
and then
roast it !  

Then.... Enjoy 

Also spotted a new restaurant with lots of outdoor seating

Also booths from various companies with brochures and maybe a sample of some sort.
This year we came home with a water bottle and 6 lip balms.

I live an exciting life 

Our latest journey

( Hi Marti )

Time to journal some of the highlights of our latest  "adventures"

For several years, Tiffany has organized a "family" gathering at Lake Chelan
Every year the group is a little different, but every year, at least the 5 of us are there.

Though we left on Sunday,  the day before was quite a celebration 
Our friend for many years, Vern Reid, turned 90.
So, with the help of his two daughters we had a party.

Sad to say I did not get very many pictures.  Playing hostess was a full time job. But, Becca got a great collection and it is on facebook.

It was a wonderful  party. Birthday boy arrived and asked for a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. 
 He wanted to try all four flavors.    and he did.


The next morning we headed to Chelan
We usually stop in Leavenworth for lunch along the way.   

We discovered this little place and like it well enough to stop again 
The rest of the group stopped for brats
They also made a fast stop, a very fast stop when little man lost his brat 

Lake Chelan Here we come  

This is the view from our deck. Spectacular.   

Another tradition is breakfast at the Blueberry Farm  

Can you spot the pickers?   

Not our usual agenda, but Tiffany had done the homework and we found quite a surprise at the library  

Magic show....very entertaining....
and some facts connected to the universe  

Little man in red was amazed  

Window view of the bridge
the signs says no jumping
someone always jumps

And no room for dessert.

Why start a puzzle with 2000 pieces ??
I like puzzles   

Recipe for day two morning 

and the game begins..
and

have you heard of Duolingo?

This is how you learn Spanish 

This is how you spend vacation time 

Can't get away from it....red cars stick together   



Another stop we always hit..... BBQ 

The cows are new....  We do not know how long they will last  

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Two favorites made the climb   

We take a walk to the public dock and  Shaved Ice Stand
                                           A favorite view along the way 

First time for everything ( Grammy ) ....  shaved ice on a hot day...OK





Another walk 
    And this time, no bees  

Another tradition....three on three

adventure documented with a shoe photo
family with a perfect stranger  

Looks like I didn't get very far...but, that's how it works when no one else likes puzzles  and I enjoyed every minute. 

I took it apart and left it for the next family.  



And then it was time to head back to Bellevue for the two of us
But that is another story 





We live an exciting life.... and busy

It has been a long time

well, we have been away.

Starting with a 90th birthday celebration
then a few days in Lake Chelan
then a quick trip to DesMoines Iowa
and now home

Lots to think about 
the easiest is the final day of touring DesMoines, because we visited the Capital.  Our friends Sid and Linda had been there and recommended taking the time.  So we did..

Pictures tell the story.  ( so to speak )

Here goes ..

The grand stairway
but many stairways...especially the library 

Many stained glass windows
many outstanding chandeliers  

A post office 

He  went up as far as allowed...

Yes, they also have magazines 

this dumb waiter might be old, but i would love one in my house

not the kitchen sink....the other sink   

Good bye to a grand building and already thinking about a return visit.


Well, this is just the beginning...
life is busy

life is exciting