Frustrations abound today.....do you ever have days that no matter what you are trying to accomplish problems just pop up?
It has been that type of day for me. However, I shouldn't complain, as these are tiny problems and certainly nothing major.
I have been trying to complete a Xango flyer.....this is usually a project that I can knock out in a hurry on the computer. Not this time!! I have had more problems accomplishing this little task and it isn't finished yet. Then there is this blog problem that I have had and not being able to download photos.....well, I now know it is a systems problem with my Mac and blogspot is not compatible with my Mac....I have software ordered that should fix this little inconvenience.
Wayne and I decided to install a new security screen door, so off we went to Lowes. We selected the door that we both liked, purchased it and brought it home. There is no way that it would fit, so Wayne is now returning it to the store.
Okay.....enough is enough and with positive thinking I know the remainder of the day is going to be problem free. We are planning to pick citrus later this afternoon.....lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit. I have promised Randy and Dana a box of tree ripened fruit. The oranges are like eating pure sugar.....yum!
Last night was Gramma's time with Rob and Ted......we enjoy them so much and feel so blessed to be a part of their life....especially at this age. However, they are both growing so fast it is hard to fill them up. They will both be big boys....their Doctor has said probably at least 6'6".......I am sure there is a path that leads directly to the refrigerator.
Wayne and I are going out for dinner tonight.....now that is a very positive thing!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOTHER
I have been thinking of my Mother today....tomorrow (Jan 22nd) she would have been 96 years old. There is never a day that passes that I do not think of her. She was a loving Mother who instilled solid values in her children.
A couple of years ago, I wrote a letter to my Granddaughter, Tiffany, to share a little heritage about the women in her past and present. I thought I would share this with you.
Dear Tiffany: This is a history lesson on part of your heritage......At my age I'm not sure I will be around to tell you this and I should have talked to you about it before. I see a side of you that I greatly admire and it's your strength and determination.
On my side of the family you come from a long line of very strong and determined women. My great Grandmother was a woman of strength and known for her organizational abilities.....my great Aunt (her daughter) was the first woman Customs Broker in the United States....a very successful, but strict woman. She had an excellent business mind and was known in the community for helping others....This was during a time when women did not step in the business world. She was determined to succeed and she did. She could stand up against the strongest and best of businessmen and they greatly admired her. I didn't get along with her because I think I was a lot like her.....very determined in my own ways.
My Mother was an extremely strong and determined woman, until illness slowed her down. She possessed many excellent gifts......strength, determination, organization, faith and a caring heart. She was very active in The American Cancer Society, The Heart Association, Church and Youth Leader and many other community organization. She was always the first to help others in need. She was a hard worker, an excellent seamstress and cook. She loved gardening and working with the soil. She not only taught me, but she always showed me, what her faith meant in her life. She was also a great believer that it was always an honor and privilege to be loved and protected by the men in our lives....but NEVER controlled.
My Mother loved to entertain..... she loved fine china and crystal and setting a beautiful table. This is one gift that I was happy that she passed down to me. She was an outstanding cook and I often tease Grandpa Wayne that he married me because of my Mother's cooking.
Then there came me.......strong, stubborn and determined...heehee! Strong not in health or body, but strong in determination. I think I inherited some of these qualities from the women before me, as I have always had a good business mind, organizational skills and the determination to succeed. It is a heritage that I am proud of, as they were all women of great faith and my faith was and is always the foundation of everything that I did and do.
Aunt Shari has also been gifted with our heritage. She too, is a strong, determined woman. She has outstanding leadership abilities and organizational skills......she uses her abilities and gifts to lead in the community and her Church. Do you know that she will probably be the Chairperson of Angel Charity next year? There is no doubt in my mind that she will be outstanding in this position. This is one of the highest volunteer positions held in Tucson and she has been highly sought after to accept this position. She is usually the first to step forward to help someone else.
Now you Tiff.......this is early in your life, but I do see some of this very strengths and determination that the women before you have possessed. I saw this in you at a very early age and with this same determination I know you will step forward and succeed in whatever you set forth to do. It doesn't mean that life is going to be easy, but you have the ability to over come all the obstacles that life throws at you. Just remember that the women in your past have always relied on their faith to take them through the deep valleys and onward up the hills.
Never let pride stop you from succeeding. God has blessed the women in our past with many gifts and they are always to be used to honor and glorify Him. These same women would never allow alcohol to interfere with their mind or their abilities to succeed.
I also see strength and determination in some of my nieces. Wow, what a heritage we have been given and then we are given the choices as to what to do with it!!
Tiff, I hope you print this and tuck it away and perhaps someday you will have a daughter that you can share a little of this heritage with her....a little of her past. I am so proud to have a heritage of strong, determined and able women!!
Much love, Grams
A couple of years ago, I wrote a letter to my Granddaughter, Tiffany, to share a little heritage about the women in her past and present. I thought I would share this with you.
Dear Tiffany: This is a history lesson on part of your heritage......At my age I'm not sure I will be around to tell you this and I should have talked to you about it before. I see a side of you that I greatly admire and it's your strength and determination.
On my side of the family you come from a long line of very strong and determined women. My great Grandmother was a woman of strength and known for her organizational abilities.....my great Aunt (her daughter) was the first woman Customs Broker in the United States....a very successful, but strict woman. She had an excellent business mind and was known in the community for helping others....This was during a time when women did not step in the business world. She was determined to succeed and she did. She could stand up against the strongest and best of businessmen and they greatly admired her. I didn't get along with her because I think I was a lot like her.....very determined in my own ways.
My Mother was an extremely strong and determined woman, until illness slowed her down. She possessed many excellent gifts......strength, determination, organization, faith and a caring heart. She was very active in The American Cancer Society, The Heart Association, Church and Youth Leader and many other community organization. She was always the first to help others in need. She was a hard worker, an excellent seamstress and cook. She loved gardening and working with the soil. She not only taught me, but she always showed me, what her faith meant in her life. She was also a great believer that it was always an honor and privilege to be loved and protected by the men in our lives....but NEVER controlled.
My Mother loved to entertain..... she loved fine china and crystal and setting a beautiful table. This is one gift that I was happy that she passed down to me. She was an outstanding cook and I often tease Grandpa Wayne that he married me because of my Mother's cooking.
Then there came me.......strong, stubborn and determined...heehee! Strong not in health or body, but strong in determination. I think I inherited some of these qualities from the women before me, as I have always had a good business mind, organizational skills and the determination to succeed. It is a heritage that I am proud of, as they were all women of great faith and my faith was and is always the foundation of everything that I did and do.
Aunt Shari has also been gifted with our heritage. She too, is a strong, determined woman. She has outstanding leadership abilities and organizational skills......she uses her abilities and gifts to lead in the community and her Church. Do you know that she will probably be the Chairperson of Angel Charity next year? There is no doubt in my mind that she will be outstanding in this position. This is one of the highest volunteer positions held in Tucson and she has been highly sought after to accept this position. She is usually the first to step forward to help someone else.
Now you Tiff.......this is early in your life, but I do see some of this very strengths and determination that the women before you have possessed. I saw this in you at a very early age and with this same determination I know you will step forward and succeed in whatever you set forth to do. It doesn't mean that life is going to be easy, but you have the ability to over come all the obstacles that life throws at you. Just remember that the women in your past have always relied on their faith to take them through the deep valleys and onward up the hills.
Never let pride stop you from succeeding. God has blessed the women in our past with many gifts and they are always to be used to honor and glorify Him. These same women would never allow alcohol to interfere with their mind or their abilities to succeed.
I also see strength and determination in some of my nieces. Wow, what a heritage we have been given and then we are given the choices as to what to do with it!!
Tiff, I hope you print this and tuck it away and perhaps someday you will have a daughter that you can share a little of this heritage with her....a little of her past. I am so proud to have a heritage of strong, determined and able women!!
Much love, Grams
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inauguration Day
It has been an interesting day and I was constantly being drawn to the TV to watch the Inauguration of Barack Obama. I was also saddened to see President and Laura Bush make their departure....regardless of what many think, the Bushes are very dignified and gracious and certainly made the Obama's transition go smoothly. President Obama deserves our support and respect and I am more than willing to give him that. It will be interesting to see how he performs.
I read an article from a friend tonight, and I am hoping he doesn't mind if I share his article with you. Dr. Bruce Fong, is President of Michigan Theological Seminary and many years ago was Youth Pastor to Randy and Shari. The following is an excerpt from Bruce's article:
"My commitment to be a good citizen is linked to my Christian faith. As a good citizen, I will let my voice be heard regarding the morals and values that God treasures. The moral climate of our nation concerns me for the next four years.
The plight of the unborn burdens me. I love life. It is sacred. Humans yet to draw their own first breath will face even more dangerous days ahead. Their helpless situation will become more tenuous without the moral commitment to the sanctity of life.
Conversation after church has people of faith feeling uneasy about the near political future. Imposition of federal standards defining morality may threaten our Christian beliefs. Concerns along this line are more realized than ever with the changes that promise to come.
Impingement on our individual rights to bear arms may be threatened. That is a topic of conversation around neighborhood diners. Sporting goods stores are temporarily happy with the high volume of gun sales. Apparently, the public is afraid that the second amendment is in jeopardy so they are buying what they can while weapons for personal protection can still be purchased.
It has all been about change. But a lot of the change that I have heard is fear, concern, doubt, and frustration. This side of America is not making the national news. But, concerned citizens are discussing it among themselves.
Part of that tentative nature is the confusion over the race issue. On one hand this election was not about race. Yet, when it was completed, then it was touted as a historic moment that was all about race.
No, I didn’t get to join in on the ceremony, celebration or pomp. I was too busy working a normal workday. After all, most of us had to be at work today. Someone has to pay for the national bill of more than $150 Million for the party in D.C."
Thank you Dr. Fong
I read an article from a friend tonight, and I am hoping he doesn't mind if I share his article with you. Dr. Bruce Fong, is President of Michigan Theological Seminary and many years ago was Youth Pastor to Randy and Shari. The following is an excerpt from Bruce's article:
"My commitment to be a good citizen is linked to my Christian faith. As a good citizen, I will let my voice be heard regarding the morals and values that God treasures. The moral climate of our nation concerns me for the next four years.
The plight of the unborn burdens me. I love life. It is sacred. Humans yet to draw their own first breath will face even more dangerous days ahead. Their helpless situation will become more tenuous without the moral commitment to the sanctity of life.
Conversation after church has people of faith feeling uneasy about the near political future. Imposition of federal standards defining morality may threaten our Christian beliefs. Concerns along this line are more realized than ever with the changes that promise to come.
Impingement on our individual rights to bear arms may be threatened. That is a topic of conversation around neighborhood diners. Sporting goods stores are temporarily happy with the high volume of gun sales. Apparently, the public is afraid that the second amendment is in jeopardy so they are buying what they can while weapons for personal protection can still be purchased.
It has all been about change. But a lot of the change that I have heard is fear, concern, doubt, and frustration. This side of America is not making the national news. But, concerned citizens are discussing it among themselves.
Part of that tentative nature is the confusion over the race issue. On one hand this election was not about race. Yet, when it was completed, then it was touted as a historic moment that was all about race.
No, I didn’t get to join in on the ceremony, celebration or pomp. I was too busy working a normal workday. After all, most of us had to be at work today. Someone has to pay for the national bill of more than $150 Million for the party in D.C."
Thank you Dr. Fong
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Year 2009 Is Mine
A quick update for now....first of all, our weather is beyond incredible...it is sunny and in the mid 70's during the day and much cooler at night. As I write this the doors and windows are wide open. I feel so blessed to enjoy the sunshine every day. It is also the perfect weather to buzz around the Park with the golf cart. The citrus is ready to be picked...yummy.
I just completed installing additional memory and the new operating system in my Mac. I feel proud of myself, but now I have to work out some bugs. I still cannot download to my blog....hmmmm, it tells me it is downloading but I only get jibberish. Any suggestions?
I am having a lot of improvement with my messed up back, for which I am thankful. I plan to be in the pool again soon. I claim this year - 2009 - as mine. I am concentrating on getting completely well and losing weight. I am off to a good start. I love life and it is a joy to put my feet on the floor each morning, visit with the many people in the park and I look forward to hearing from friends and family daily. I am old enough to know that material things are not necessary...been there, done that and I don't need it....but my faith, family and friends are necessary for my existence. God Bless each of you.
I just completed installing additional memory and the new operating system in my Mac. I feel proud of myself, but now I have to work out some bugs. I still cannot download to my blog....hmmmm, it tells me it is downloading but I only get jibberish. Any suggestions?
I am having a lot of improvement with my messed up back, for which I am thankful. I plan to be in the pool again soon. I claim this year - 2009 - as mine. I am concentrating on getting completely well and losing weight. I am off to a good start. I love life and it is a joy to put my feet on the floor each morning, visit with the many people in the park and I look forward to hearing from friends and family daily. I am old enough to know that material things are not necessary...been there, done that and I don't need it....but my faith, family and friends are necessary for my existence. God Bless each of you.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Weather Blues
The weather around the country has been amazing and a little scary. As I sit in our Arizona home...today it is a beautiful sunny 72 degrees....I almost feel guilty when I talk to my friends and husband in the Pacific Northwest. Notice I said ALMOST feel guilty. It is hard to imagine the amount of snow that they have had to endure this winter, and then the flooding. Driving around in the County has been most difficult. Just driving from Sumas, Everson and Lynden into Bellingham has been a real challenge. My phone and email has been busy with everyone keeping me updated and I appreciate this so much. I have a good friend in Orting, Wa. that had to evacuate their home, but fortunately they were safe. Many others have not been so lucky. Pictures on facebook have shown lakes of water surrounding houses. I don't want to seem unappreciative, but I hope you keep it all up there!!
Then last night I heard about the earthquake in California and I was again happy that I was safe in the Desert. After 17 years (yes it has been that long) I really consider myself to be a Desert Dweller.
Dana, our flight attendant daughter-in-law, was in Fairbanks Alaska the other night and it was -40 degrees...Wow, I was glad I wasn't there either.
We get our severe weather during the summer monsoon season...it's an exciting time and I never like to miss it.
I will try to send you all a litle bit of sunshine...in the meantime and until next time, stay safe, dry, snuggle up by the fire and keep warm.
Then last night I heard about the earthquake in California and I was again happy that I was safe in the Desert. After 17 years (yes it has been that long) I really consider myself to be a Desert Dweller.
Dana, our flight attendant daughter-in-law, was in Fairbanks Alaska the other night and it was -40 degrees...Wow, I was glad I wasn't there either.
We get our severe weather during the summer monsoon season...it's an exciting time and I never like to miss it.
I will try to send you all a litle bit of sunshine...in the meantime and until next time, stay safe, dry, snuggle up by the fire and keep warm.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Computer and Browser Problems
Just when I think I know most everything about my computer, I find out I still have much to learn. It all started with not being able to download images for my blog.
After being able to post the one and only picture of the firetrucks using Shari's computer, I knew it had to be the operating system of my computer. No matter what browser I tried to use it just didn't work. Plus I was unable to download a different browser....I have three browsers already that wouldn't work.
So now, I must upgrade memory and install an upgraded operating system for my Mac. Time passes so quickly, I just didn't think it could possibly be my operating system. After talking to Randy, he agreed that I should do this soon.
I think I can do this myself.....I think I can, I think I can, I know I can!!
So....within the week, I hope to get this done. Just be patient with me.
My entire life resides inside my computer, so I cannot have it down for long.
Mary Ann
After being able to post the one and only picture of the firetrucks using Shari's computer, I knew it had to be the operating system of my computer. No matter what browser I tried to use it just didn't work. Plus I was unable to download a different browser....I have three browsers already that wouldn't work.
So now, I must upgrade memory and install an upgraded operating system for my Mac. Time passes so quickly, I just didn't think it could possibly be my operating system. After talking to Randy, he agreed that I should do this soon.
I think I can do this myself.....I think I can, I think I can, I know I can!!
So....within the week, I hope to get this done. Just be patient with me.
My entire life resides inside my computer, so I cannot have it down for long.
Mary Ann
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