long fun day

All good days seem to start early

like today...

it started on Thursday.
I always try to set the table early for a party
I text my grandson pictures of the plates and napkins so he can help me pick the right one
 ( he is 7 )
Well, on Thursday, our friend had a lovely dinner before Bible study ( with out of town visitors it seemed to be the right thing to do.

She has a way with flowers and when it was time to go home, she asked if I would like her arrangements for my brunch on Saturday. 

You can guess what I said.

Went home with all four arrangements.

But, in the morning light , I could see that the colors did not go with my first choice of tablecloths, but
I had a perfect one to use instead..

And the guests arrived 

Hashbrown casserole, waldorf salad, fruit salad, scones, clotted cream with raspberry jam
Sparkling cider, coffee

Dessert: Indian Custard, cashew taffy and Swiss chocolate

Lovely
and just the beginning of our day


The Greek Festival 

                    Getting close   

Such a beautiful old neighborhood.   Each home has it's own design and well kept garden

                                                   Food  
                           Greek French Fries 

Baklava
Kadaif
Both delicious Greek Delights 

And then the dancing
First the children

Then the adults
In costume 

And then something touched my heart..
At the table in front of us, there was a group of very special people.  It was hard to know if they were deaf and blind because they were "talking " with their hands ..  and the "speaker"  was so gentle and smiling.
It seemed different than "sign language " 

Still time for our usual Saturday night entertainment

Bellevue Square, and  the Trio

They usually attract a crowd, but tonight even some dancers 

Food, Friends, Music, Dancing..

I live an exciting life 

ps. no time to edit, I know Marti is waiting....

10 days of hard things

just within those few days...
heavy stuff  

Gary had brain surgery -

Al has an aneurysm

Helen had gallbladder surgery, then back in the hospital twice 

Jerry had open heart surgery

Martha has major corrections needed on property

Wendi starts radiation and chemo next Wednesday, surgery did not cure her cancer 

Now today, my friend Pat, lung cancer and a stroke.

Darrell and I are so blessed with good health.  Sometimes it does not seem fair.  Oh, we have had some hard times. We are dealing with something tough right now.  But, it will go away and we will move on.   But cancer, aneurysms,  surgeries.... they leave  pain and marks  that are not forgettable, or forgivable. 


Eyes swimming 



Want to tell all those we love..... I LOVE YOU !   

Garage Sale of the Century

That is the title I use every year.

  Garage Sale of the Century

We.. my sister and me... have a garage sale each September. Sometimes one of my girls joins us or a neighbor or friend.
This year, it was the husbands.   Nice to have a man around the garage sale ( the truth comes out later)

Set up each morning. Complimentary coffee and cookies
Cushy chairs for shopkeepers
Sister always makes cinnamon toast for breakfast and gourmet sandwiches for lunch 

And the year begins with surprises and much much more 

Greatest fan:  she comes every year And she usually brings treats.  This time, it was nutty biscuits and little cream cookies. Who does that:  Ofra, that's who.  ( don't ask why there is no picture )


Gifting: Neighbor and friend brought several  things to add to the sale ( not for her profit, but mine ) and included some of the most spectacular shoes ever...just my size  Who does that:  Janet, that's who. 

Sweetest Mother :  Lady  with challenged adult son.They walked arm in arm down the driveway.  All he wanted to buy were some notebooks, for drawing.  He knew they were four for a dollar, like Fred Meyer, so that is what he got. 

Sweetest Husband:  came back and bought the antique rocking chair that his wife thought was too expensive ( we both compromised on the price )

Grateful customer:  Little fellow, 5 years old, was offered a cookie and without any prompting said " Thank you".  


Ungrateful  customer:  as he was heading back up the driveway he said " by the way, your coffee is colored water "

Patient husband:  Wife wanted to make a purchase and visit with us. She was struggling and then asked her husband " How old am I?"   He said she was 82.   She had picked out a couple things to buy and while trying to figure out what to do with the change, she said " How old am I ? "    He said  " You are still 82 ", with a very gentle voice.  Then she blew him a kiss.  


Now you see them, now you don't....

Oh...the adult pig is still available, if needed 



Disappearing shopkeeper: Where were those husbands ...time to set up....time to lift up...time to..have some fun  

I think there were some football games that needed some "couching and cheering" 

Preacher :  He pulled out his phone,found his  facebook page, It was a message on the gates..mind gate, eye gate, ear gate, mouth gate. ...  then held hands and prayed over sister and her hubby.  

And that was our last customer of the day.  A very interesting two days.  It always is.  

BTW ...family  always  help:  called in the ad to Craig's list, came by with hugs, brought clothes rack and ideas. 






I live an exciting life 

Hi Marti

A big day ahead  ( full week ahead and behind )
But I just had to tell someone ( hubby is out on the roof and I am not going there )

Just saw out my window

Mother, walking with two dogs, a baby in a back pack
and

talking on her phone !

UGH !

How is technology helping us?

OK,  she is probably calling her mother to tell her how much she loves her and never realized how hard being a mother can be and how sorry she is for not appreciating her and....




I feel better now.  
And I need to get back in the kitchen
Window washers and gutter cleaner coming ... poor timing, picnic on our patio tonight, for neighborhood Bible study group.   Who is going to clean up after the clean up?

Not going there

Have a good day
NO, have a great day !!

I live an exciting life