Skywatch from the Rodeo Carnival

Here is my Sky Watch for Friday. I just love the all the bright lights!

I got tickets to go the Rodeo, my husband and I went with 2 good friends of ours. We decided to make the rounds at the carnival before enjoying the rodeo. Of course we rode the Ferris Wheel, but I chickened out of the other ride - I do not see any fun in being dropped out of the sky, though everyone else seems to think it's a good idea.

We had a great time. After some rides we enjoyed the games and some carnival goodies- popcorn, funnel cake, cotton candy and more.  I sure loved smelling all that not so good for you food and remembering going to the State Fair when I was a kid. Fun times!

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Here I Am

My it's been a long while. Alot has been going on the last 6 plus months and I have really gotten behind on all the things I enjoy doing.

Taking pictures ~ reading~ side note: I got a Nook Color for Christmas from my hubby- can't wait to really start using it more than I have; ~ doing my daughter's senior year scrapbook and yes of course ~ blogging.

I did begin going to BSF (bible study fellowship) this year and I have really enjoyed getting back into a regular study of God's word. My husband was laid off - many have recently have gone through this, but we are blessed that he wasn't out of work too many months. Two of our boys moved out of state to Florida, they are now living closer to thier older brother and his family. I miss them, but I look so forward to a time when we may be able to visit all of them. Our youngest daughter will graduate high school this year and begin a new chapter in her life.

So many happenings in life big and small these past few months - I can't wait to share, to see and to hear what is going on with others in the blogspere!

Summer Storm

I saw this sky on my way home last night from work. This one passed my house by, but someone in town got some rain.

Butterfly Garden

My butterfly garden in the backyard. We are not seeing as many this year. Even a few are nice to see.

Morning Glories growing on the fence. I love the pink ones!

Spring is Done

Spring here in Texas has been really nice, but it didn't last long! With the rain we finally had wildflowers this year. It has been a couple of years since we had a nice crop. Spring really hasn't lasted, but I did plant a small veggie garden. The squash and tomotoes are looking good. Summer is coming quickly - we already have days reaching the 90's - the 100's are coming in the next few days. Time to turn on the AC!

Our Wildflowers in the Field

This is the view I had from my front porch. When the wind was blowing right you could smell the flowers! It was so nice.

That is until the man that cuts the field decided to do it before the flowers had a chance to go to seed. I would understand if the field was used for hay or something, but it isn't. Just an overeager man wanting to shred.

Oh well - it was wonderful while it lasted. I can always look back at the pictures.

Mt Scott in Oklahoma

Driving up to Mt Scott in the Wichita Mountains;

the elevation of Mt Scott is 2464 ft. Yes, these are mountians in Oklahoma!
Windmills! It was hazy, but if you look in the background you can see them. This is only portion of the ones you can see from the top of Mt. Scott.

One of two lakes you can see, this is Lake Lawtonka.

A little snow left from the snowfall a few days earlier.

My hubby and me - Pat used to come up to Mt Scott as a teenager with his buddies. It is always fun to visit places and see the changes time has made.

Prairie Dog

As we were driving up to Mt Scott in Oklahoma we passed by this prairie dog community. Yes, Oklahoma has mountains! The Wichita Mountains are outside of Ft Sill. This little guy was a brave one and really was interested in getting the cereal Pat was offering.

Stop and Enjoy the Season

Stop and smell the flowers - I mean enjoy the season.

It's been awhile since I have had time to post anything. Funny - it's seems as you get older the days and month go by faster.

It's already December - 2 birthdays in our immediate family, my wonderful husband and my baby; she's turning 16! and Christmas around the corner. I did most of my shopping for Christmas on Black Friday - limited as it is, now that my children are older and the granchildren live away.

Technology - Internet shopping and shipping are great! Technology is wonderful, but with the holidays approaching it makes me miss some of the old days of letter writing, Christmas cards and just the overall slower pace of life. We are all so rushed to get all the things done we need to. I am a victim of the timeline I put on myself.

That will be my goal for this month - to slow down a bit and enjoy my family's birthdays and Christmas. To try and take the timeline I put on myself out of the picture and to stop and enjoy the season. Remember Jesus is the reason for the season!

Flying North

I haven't had much time to go through all the pictures from my trip. So I thought I'd put it down from the beginning while the memories are still alive in my mind.

Leleo and I started our adventure to the North by flying through Chicago to Seatac. (Seattle/Tacoma airport). It was a great day to fly north. San Antonio was still in the 100's that day with no rain. Just the thought of cooler weather was enough to make us looking forward to wearing warmer clothes!

The view from the plane always offered us different views to entertain the eyes. The white clouds that could be flat or fluffy; and land and water below that appears to be part of a giant puzzle. How awesome is this planet God gave us!

We have begun our trip North where the sun circles the sky and days of light are long!

Sky Watch Friday in Alaska

Wow ~ it's 11:40 pm in Fairbanks, Alaska. Today it was 93 degrees and sunny. We have been seeing and doing so many things. I can't wait to share them all. I have finally gotten a minute to do Internet.
These 2 pictures were taken on the Denali Highway on our way to the Denali State Park. It was a gravel, dusty road, but tons of fun. It was an absolutely beautiful day. I am still here in Alaska and I am not sure when I will be able to get to a computer....but I will soon.
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Mt Ranier

We flew into Washington on Tuesday to spend time with our friends Charlene and Pat on the way to Alaska. They treated us to a wonderful time in a chalet at the base of Mt Rainer. It was back in the woods and absolutely wonderful. Warm, comfortable beds, a fire pit to roast our hot dogs and marshmellows and a hot tub to sit in and relax tired muscles after hiking on the mountain all day. We stopped and hiked to rivers and a waterfall along the way as we drove up the mountain. We went as far as we could go to Paradise. From there snow and more hiking trails waited for us. At that point I wished to be a mountain climber so I could climb to the summit! Words do not give credit to the beauty of the mountain. I will post as I can, today is a day to spend in Seattle before we fly into Fairbanks later today. Not sure what internet service I will be able to access.

Sky Watch Friday

Happy Sky watch Friday! Here is one of our wonderful Texas summer sunsets. The color makes me think of and feel the heat of the day.

This week has been full with the beginning of summer activities. My son began work and then had to take off work for at least the next week with mononucleosis. Starting to earn and save money for collage in the fall will be delayed a bit. My daughter finished her orientation and will begin volunteering at the local county hospital next week.

Despite the activity, for me there is something joyful in the summer; hot days, cool water, either swimming or tubing and extra time in the day to enjoy it all.

Please check out the wonderful photos on Sky watch Friday!

Joey

This is a special member of our family Joey. He is a mix breed my son Taylor found for my daughter Tori on day in the front of the local church here in Marion.

Truth be told he runs the house. LOL

While we were building a deck on the house, he wanted to be part of the action. He did not like being left inside, so we kept him tied up so we wouldn't worry about him getting in the way.

He is very sweet and lovable.

Please check out Camera Critters at the link on the side of the page.

You can see some wonderful critters!

Sky Watch Friday

Taylor has graduated high school and all of the family that came to share in the celebration have left. The quiet in the house seems strange after all the activity. I miss it.... the grandchildren and everyone talking at the same time. :)

I took this the morning after everyone left this week. The stillness of the morning and the coolness in the air was very soothing. It is hard to imagine the day temperature went into the high 90's. Texas summers are tricky like that.

Please check out other sky watchers at the link.

Taylor's Graduation Weekend

Proud Oma and Mom with Taylor - MHS 2009 Graduate!

Taylor and friends playing the Texas Hold Em Tournament at Project Graduation. Taylor's brother Jimmy was the dealer at this table. Project Graduation is a parent sponsored party for the graduates. It is a safe, drug and alcohol free place to go and have fun the night of graduation. We bus them in at 10:30 pm and them bus them out at 6:30 am the next morning. They had swimming, karaoke, played pool and poker. Along with other games all night long like the hula-hoop and ice cream eating contest. The theme was "Woodstock" ~ which was voted on by the seniors.

At his graduation party the next afternoon at Landa Park. We had great brisket that Pat cooked, potato salad, macaroni salad, beans and cupcakes ~ made by wonderful friends and family. Pat's mom got Taylor this delicious graduation cake.

Family photo at Landa Park.

This picture has my mom and Pat's mom along with all 6 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.

Dawn (Matt's beautiful wife), Cameron, Matt, Jimmy and Taylor are on the back row.

Ashley, Kaitlyn, Oma (my mom), Tori and Maw (Pat's mom) are on the second row.

Kaylee and Mason are in the front.

Thank you Ronnie for being such an awesome friend and taking all the pictures of our whole crew!

It was a long and exhausting weekend, but such a blessing for us all to get together and share in Taylor's moment.

Thank you Lord for making it all possible.

Baseball Playoff Game

The Bulldogs lost the playoff game 7 to 3 in Victoria. It was hard losing this last game; especially for all the seniors. They had a great season. Taylor made All District 1st Team. Way to go Taylor!!!

Peaceful evening

I took this during my walk in the park in the evening. It is always a nice walk by the water and through the park. The next week will be busy getting everything done for high school graduation on the 30th. This will be nice to look back at when things get a bit stressful! LOL

Rusty Horse

I saw this rusty horse post outside a shop I went into in New Braunfels.

In his day I am sure this horse helped to tie up a lot of horses. LOL

Isn't he great?

Butterflies

I started planting for butterflies last year. I am trying to add a few plants every year. The first of the butterflies are starting to visit. After the rain we had yesterday, it nice to see them out.