What a Summer! Part 2

As previously mentioned I have so many pictures in my portfolio that I decided to make this a two part er...so here are a few more of my summer photos.

Again, thanks to all you wonderful family members and friends who keep in touch with us. It really means a lot especially being so far from our kids! For those of you who are not aware...I have started a new Enchanted blog for my company with design tips, etc...you can access it at www.enchantedesign.blogspot.com Thanks! Matti for spending so much time helping me get this set up. I am so pleased with the results! And a special thanks to Jen and her friends for that great picture they took of the "Twilight" walk in Oregon. Just like I pictured that place in the book;-) Please check it out when you have time and I would love to receive any comments and/or questions you might have. Also just another reminder for all of you who are getting email updates on this blog to click on the blue print at the bottom that says My Invincible Summer and it will open up to my actual blog with all our family pictures...etc.

Speaking of which, I am excited to say that we have added a new sweet little face under Miah's Team. We welcomed grand child number 18 to our family yesterday at 11:20 AM. Great job Rachel and Miah and a special welcome to our little Kaylee Ann;-)!!! She is a definite keeper:-)

The summer has begun to wind down and today is the first official day of fall, but the weather has stayed really warm here. In fact it has been record setting! It was such a pleasant surprise to wake up to cooler temperatures this morning so I started my morning walk routine again. The grass and flowers were so gorgeous! Tom and I actually got out one morning last week and walked almost 5 miles, but then it got hot again. So, hopefully I will be able to get back in shape now. As you can tell by the pictures I definitely enjoy my "treats" this summer. I have found that just swimming each day is not as beneficial for the elderly sags, if you know what I mean. Things definitely get more challenging after 65! Right now I am trying to walk and swim each day until it gets too cool for the swimming.

The last two "tropical" monsoon months have caused the plants and trees around here to go crazy. So Tom, bless him, braved the heat a few days ago and cut back some of the vigorous growth around here. I think he was enjoying it a bit too much and got a little tooooo carried away on the Mesquite tree though...LOL. I was teasing him because his "favorite" shorts are so baggy since he lost the 40 pounds. You know how guys are about their favorites...so what can a poor woman do? Anyway to reward him for his efforts we topped off the morning with my infamous whole wheat waffles by the pool.

Well, I have included some more pictures for you, but they may not be in any particular order because I am not that adept as yet at formatting my blog...

Missing you and looking forward to my trip to SLC in November. Hope to see all my wonderful SLC family and friends then! ...And, of course, snuggle with my sweet newest little grand daughter!!!

What a summer! Part 1

Well, I guess summer is officially over and I had better update my blog! Wow, it has been packed full of visitors, visiting and busy activities...in fact, I have so many pictures and memories that I guess I will make it a two part er;-)

It started with a fun visit from Jen and friends, then, Amy, Centry and grand kids, including one great (who braved the hottest time of the year here) and I was able to top it off with a visit to see Matti, Jon and their two little ones in Hawaii. In addition there were sprinklings of visits from good friends. For those who could not make it to see the old folks we are hopeful that maybe we can get together very soon:) In the interim we have appreciated all the Skyping, IMs, texts, photos, calls and letters to keep in touch. So many fun moments to record in our memory book. Thanks you guys for making it so special!

In honor of Grandma Ruth's 96th birthday this month, I thought it would be the perfect time to show our appreciation for our kids. Dad and I are so very grateful for our wonderful family.

Here are a few of the many highlights to relive again the past few months...

I did it!

Well, it was probably the most taxing thing my old brain has tackled in a long long time, but after several weeks of class and MANY hours of study, I am very pleased to report that I have passed my health renewal exam. This means I am officially a certified health renewist! I must admit I was ready to quit several times and the thought of a four hour exam looming ahead just about did me in...but I hung in there---thanks to some encouragement from my friends and family;-) I must admit I have renewed (no pun intended) admiration for all the students out there when it comes to studies and exams!

For the first month or so (until I improve my speed), I will be giving complimentary renewals to any of you who would be interested, so give me a call to schedule a time. Just a heads up that once I improve my timing, I will be charging for this service so you may want to get in on this deal while you can;-) Hoping to hear from you...

Keep on keeping on...

Just so I don't lose momentum I am sending off a short post.

Today I am back down to earth and finally hitting the books again and studying hard for my Renewal exams next week. Took the day off yesterday to "play" for a while. Spent it with Tom just hanging out, walking the mall and dinner at his favorite place, Olive Garden;-) Unfortunately, we ate way more than we walked but really had a fun time!

I have got to get back to my regular morning walk routine tomorrow! Hope you will help to keep me honest about that;-)

This and That...V

Ok, so I missed a couple of days but I am going to call it a V for victory anyway, because this exercise has worked to get me back to a regular schedule blogging again! Thanks, Julie for inspiring me!

As for missing...I really do have a good excuse as my good friend Gayane flew down to spend a few days with me and we have had a blast with shopping (mostly window), lunches out, walks, swims, etc., etc...Thanks Gayane for a wonderful weekend;-)

This being Memorial Day, I want to remember all the wonderful young men and women who serve daily in our armed forces and all the veterans who served so faithfully in the past. We are so proud of you and all that you have done on behalf of our country. I especially want to mention my brother-in-law, Jim, who is served in Vietnam. Thanks hardly seems adequate Jim for all you went through and continue to go through due to exposure to Agent Orange while you were there. I know there are many others who are dealing with similar side effects from this tragedy. We honor you and I am so proud to have you as my brother-in-law.

The View

I am off to dreamland and have really had a full day but I could not close my eyes without a very short post.

Tonight as I was driving home from Bahama Bucks with a friend visiting from Utah, we were taken in by the full moon on the desert backdrop. It was such an inspiring view. I am so thankful to be here in Arizona;-) It has definitely been a stretch for me to be so far from my kiddos, but every day here has been a blessing in some way or another...what a beautiful place to live!

U is for Undervalued

U is for Undervalued

"Be pretty if you are; Be witty if you can; Be cheerful if it kills you."

I found this quote on line the other day and really liked it. There was no mention of an author so I guess we can chalk it up to another one by 'anonymous';-) Having a good disposition and general cheerfulness is often undervalued. Who does not enjoy being around a cheerful, upbeat person? Anyway, it reminded me of how important it is to smile or even laugh even at ourselves. From what "they" say, it takes fewer muscles and sure makes the world around us a much more pleasant and agreeable place!

I found myself in the middle of some unpleasant banter the other day between two other people. Standing there and watching the tempers the stress level rise, I just had to step back and try my best to remain calm and objective. As I watched from that point of view, it totally reminded me of two second graders going at it. It seemed that each one was wanting to prove they were right even though there wasn't anything to benefit from any of it other than some silly and lame bragging rights. Seeing this just made me smile...and ask, why, why, why do we do this to ourselves? Let's face it we all have our moments! Even though I was not at all involved in any of it, I too was feeling the stress in the air!

My husband has a favorite saying..."step back and take a deep breath", meaning don't let your emotions run away with you. So, I agree, "be cheerful if it kills you"...and you will probably live a much longer, healthier and happier life, and who doesn't want that?