One day I will post a picture of a few quilts I have made, and the little stuffed animals (which I sewed this week for the grandkids while visiting in Arizona;) That is, when I figure how to put pictures onto this blog. Which seems to elude me right now.

Back from a week in the Sunshine. It was so bright and Nice. I would go outside just to soak some in. I could even see Stars at night!!!! No clouds. And do you know what is funny? When I was there I hardly saw any people outside. I asked why was that and was told that it was Winter for them. Here this Pacific NW girl (me) was out without sweater and enjoying it all. Sigh. Well, I guess it does get Hot there in the summer; around 115 degrees or more, and then the same people stay in their houses then, too, because it is so hot. hahaha That is why I visit this time of the year.
We made it to Yuma to look up my Pa, and it was good seeing him riding around in his little golf cart, and sharing our cup of coffee. His whole life has changed now. I told him to enjoy his stay and the sunshine while he was there. My brother and his wife are heading back to the Pac NW in April, so I will see him again then.
I sat in the sunshine on the plane back home. I could tell when we were heading down from the clouds to land, because a Blanket of thick clouds covered us and it was considerably darker all of a sudden. And sure enough, it sprinkled on the way to the house. Sigh. But back to the air that you can breathe, and to our pellet stove. And I had that week of Sunshine.

I am still wearing my Senior Citizen disguise. The one that when people look at you, they don't See you. It works even in Arizona. Amazing. Just not with grandkids and family.

I am pleased to report that the little yellow canary is growing some fuzz around her bald little neck and back of head. See why you don't give up on disguises?

To Angel from Shikaka: no, things don't just Fall off. They hang on. Emphasis on the Hang. haha It is interesting when your kids talk about getting older. Part of the Grandma thing, I guess. I am still 19 in my head. Just an 'antique' little girl. Stick around awhile, and you will know what I am talking about, peoples. To Topeka, who was glad to have me Closer: Thanks for trying to help me with pictures for the blog; I will keep trying. I love it that you love me. I Love my girls a Lot. (Can you tell?) Probably. I enjoy the grandkids' blogs; they are fun to read.

No jokes this time. Just checking in, and saying Hi. Luv2ReadGrandma

I am still trying to figure out where I would go for one day that I could not return from. Murphy Miff said "Any South Sea Island, where it is warm but not hot, and not too dry." Seriously, I like where I am now although we sure could use some nice sunshine.

I just talked with my Pa who decided to go South for the Winter. I told him to enjoy the sunshine for me. They were out looking at golf carts so he could ride around in it down there. My sister, who is twice my sister (sister in law, and step sister both) is keeping tabs on him for me, And I am glad of that, since we just lost my beloved StepMom on January 1st. What a way to start 2006. Next week I am going to visit.
My husband informed me that the Secretary (Mary) where he works, is failing fast with cancer. She is doing everything she can to fight for life, and losing. The first chemo treatments quit helping, so they were trying another kind, and that is not working either. My heart goes out to her. My StepMom went fast, and maybe that was kinder. I struggled with that one.

Yesterday I had an eye exam, and the doctor asked me if I had been crying a lot lately. I had to say yes to that one. Surprised me that he could tell, but that is his job. Tomorrow I have the yearly mammogram, yay. That is always something to look forward to, huh. But that is part of my life being a Grandma. Having regular check-ups and all. Someone told me that a person starts going downhill at 50. Today someone who is 71 told me that 70 is when you start going downhill. Hey, I have no choice. I will get to that when I get to that. One day at a time here. This is who I am and what I have got, so I bloom where I am planted. And enjoy each day. Even if it is a breast exam. And even if it pours down rain, which it is doing, today, too.

So, my life of being Grandma today. I am sewing pajamas for little boy, who has already outgrown the first ones I made. He is eating baby food now. These pj's are too big, but he can grow into them. What else am I doing today: Working on one of the puzzles my daughter Angel sent me for Christmas. Reading "S is for Silence" also a gift from her. I am in my element.
By the way, I have gone International with my Grandkids. I have American, Vietnamese, and Mexican. Twelve in all. Thirteen if you count the little angel, and I do. My oldest daughter gave me three tall, wonderful, smart, ahem....grandchildren, who have grown to be great adults already. The International comes from Topekatrina: one awsome smart kind little Kenna, and two adorable boys, who have stolen my heart over and over again. The Mexican comes from my son marrying his sweetheart when he was an exchange student in Mexico. They have two boys. One looks like her and one looks like him. And they are smart, too. Sigh.

I have two canarys here at home. We started off with the pretty yellow female and had her for a year before I began to think she would like a companion. What I found was an orange South American canary with the flat feathers around his head. He sings all day long. They like each other, but don't like to be in the same cage. I got him because she seemed to be lonesome and she was starting to pull feathers off herself.
Now that's another story. We sprayed her cage and herself with Mite and Lice spray for birds, and kept her cage clean. Next, we put vitamins in her water. The latest thing we are doing for her is using Grannick's bitter apple spray, a tast deterrent for birds, so she won't keep plucking her feathers off. Because now she is not so pretty anymore with quite a lot of her feathers off. The back of her head is bald. I won't let her stay that way. I will help her get rid of that awful habit, and have my beautiful little yellow fluffy bird back, so help me. Grandmas have to help the little creatures that can't help themselves.

I like Jamba Juice, but it tastes better in Oregon; also there is no tax there. My favorite things to do besides visiting with my kids, is to go to the Library. I work part time as Statement Prep Clerk, and I like the comraderie of that, too. We only work four days the first of each month, and have a good team that works well together.

My thanks goes out to my family who are here to support me and who gave me some nice gifts for Christmas: to Timbo who found me a book on Chicago; wow. To Judith, granddaughter, who gave me the most Beautiful Poem! I love you, girl. To Angel, who knows just when to call. To Topekatrina, who is always there. To my Murphy, who is my rock, and takes such good care of me. Thank God for him. And I do feel blessed, I Know I am blessed, to have children who love me so much. I keep praying a hedge up for you all, always have; always will.

I should end this now with a joke or some contest or something. Hmmm Do you know how to catch a unique rabbit? How do you catch a tame rabbit? Anyone know? Did you hear the joke about this Bible student who kept being followed around by this girl named Shirley? He finally prayed about it, and thought that he would get his Bible and close his eyes and thumb through and point, and whatever verse his finger landed on would give him the answer to his situation. He pointed to Psalms 23:6 Haha; get it? Luv2ReedGrandmaK

Hi there
Thought I would drop a line to write just a little about me.

I live up here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest Puget Sound region, where it rainsalot. Sometimes the sun shines. I dub my husband as Murphy Miff. I am up here instead of in Oregon which I love, because I married him 17 years ago.

We created a spot here that is full of content and we spoil each other every day. He is 8 years younger than I am, and so I stay close to home instead of snow birding with all my friends the same age as I am. Maybe we will go seek sun in the winters when he retires in 4 more years, who knows.

I started Cross-Stitching about three months ago; inspired first by my daughter Lolly, then sitting with my step mother Carolyn Hope and watching her do some wonderous works of art.

I also like to quilt. And knit scarfs, taught to knit by my youngest daughter who lives in Topeka these days. My mother taught me how to crochet and I like to do that, too. I have a good stash of both yarns and materials. Sometimes just sitting looking at it all satisfies my soul. sigh.

I don't feel like a senior citizen. In my mind I still do cartwheels and run the best in my gym class. Or pick 400lbs of green beans in one day. Or squardance all night. Or mow the yard, then get on the roof, then plant a garden, and then tackle at least five more strenous tasks before nightfall. I remember it all. It's just that I have a little more sense nowadays, and think things through and give my verbal support more now, instead. The trick is to just Keep Up with the youngsters.

Another funny thing about getting older. It is like I am wearing a disguise. So many people do not See me anymore. They look right past me and it makes me smile. I can get away with anything, and no one would remember my being there. Now, my favorite people, my family, don't do this. And the beautiful thing about grandchildren is that they look right into your Heart.

So, that is enough for the first time writing, don't you think. I do. So, on this line I will hang my close, Loving, contented, Luv2ReedGrandma