tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84816173213727636212024-03-05T08:51:25.399-08:00R and R's T and TRexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050985148711857877noreply@blogger.comBlogger129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-30092615021638557452015-05-17T19:17:00.001-07:002015-05-17T19:17:03.699-07:00Foggy outside?The photo that heads this blog was taken by a waiter at a restaurant in the Cannery close to Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. (No there was not fog that day.)<br />
Our dinner was very nice and afterwards we went into <a href="http://www.ghirardellisq.com/">Ghirardelli</a>'s to check out the chocolate.<br />
As much as we enjoyed the afternoon and evening, it seems as though this part of the city doesn't have nearly as many restaurants and shops as it had in the Seventies, when we visited several times to visit my mother while I was in grad school in Los Angeles (USC).Rexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050985148711857877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-35091711602465988672012-06-25T19:00:00.001-07:002012-06-25T19:00:30.229-07:00Scottevest is Perfect for a Sailing Trip!<br />
I was so blessed at TBEX12 in Keystone, Colorado, when I became the proud recipient of a red <a href="http://www.scottevest.com/">Scottevest</a>. It is the ultimate travel vest with 17 pockets in a lightweight, breathable poly fabric. This company is so awesome they provided these vests for all the attendees at TBEX12. Wow, I am impressed with them and have become a loyal follower.<br />
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I will be going on my third week long sailing trip and as I considered what to bring, my vest became my number one item. The living quarters on the 45 foot Hunter sailboat are tight so the less I bring, the better. By wearing my vest, I can breeze through security at the airport by just slipping it off. It also means I don't need to carry a purse and can carry-on my ukulele instead. Additionally, when climbing on and off the sailboat, one must be aware of things carried so they don't slip into the water. Cameras particularly do this. There is a special pocket for the camera and a memory card pocket as well.<br />
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Just to give you a better overview of this remarkable travel vest, I'll list some of it's other featured pockets: handwarmer pocket with a water bottle holder and an extendable key holder; lipstick or chap stick pocket; change pocket; eyeglass and chamois pocket with cleaning cloth on elastic cord; two pen pocket; ID pocket for drivers license; Travel Document pocket for passport, etc.; cell phone/MP3 pocket; budbucket pocket x 2 for your earphone buds and a collar connect which holds wires to the Ipod in place; IPad pocket; a secret pocket; a large back pocket. There are also personal area pockets. The vest is engineered to evenly balance the weight of the things we carry so it's more comfortable than carrying them in a bag. There is also a streamlined look to the vest so items in the pockets do not crate unsightly bulges. How awesome is all this?</span></div>
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When I was handed the vest, I was also given "a tour" of it. I was amazed at the insight put into this marvelous piece of clothing. Their tag line is: <a href="http://www.scottevest.com/">Scottevest For the Trip of Your Life</a>. Vests are not the only clothing they have available. They have pants, shirts, dresses, hoodies, jackets and even men's underware, all with their pockets. I hope to start a collection of Scottevest clothing for my many travels and good times! I think I'll start a gift registry with <a href="http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/subindex_womens_products.shtml">Scottevest</a>!<br />
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Also published at: <a href="http://travelingtealady.blogspot.com/">http://travelingtealady.blogspot.com/</a><br />Roaming Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10675188743723371842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-20216248758993966252012-06-21T21:52:00.001-07:002012-06-21T21:52:47.938-07:00Catch up and Play my Uke!<br />
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My life moves so fast and I have so many interests and fun things in my life of exuberant daily celebrations that my blogging has been on hiatus. After spending time at the <a href="http://www.travelblogexchange.com/">TBEX12</a> bloggers conference in <a href="http://www.keystoneresort.com/?cmpid=PPC110191174">Keystone, Colorado,</a> last weekend I have a new resolve to "git er in gear"! So forgive my dead air of the last few/many months and know I'm back in the saddle again. Actually I'd prefer to be back in the cockpit of the 45 foot sailboat our friends have...but that will be coming along in two weeks. Stay tuned.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Now that I've explained myself, I'll get on with what's on my mind. Tonight I am focused on playing my ukulele. About a year and a half ago my dear friend, Christy, and our husbands, sailed from <a href="http://www.visitmarinadelrey.com/">Marina del Rey</a> to <a href="http://www.catalinachamber.com/">Catalina Island</a>. Christy and I found a store on the island that sold the prettiest ukuleles I had ever seen. With zero, absolute nada musical knowledge or expertise Christy and I decided to become ukulele players. After all, the uke is small,and it only has four strings. What could be so hard about this? My first ukulele was hot pink with white flowers and I named her "Tahlula". I loved my little ukulele so much that I was determined I would learn to play her. With only a slight hesitation, I took Tahlula to my first Uke Song Circle in my town, Arvada, It was quite a shock in the first place to find there were other ukulele players right here in my own home town but I was delighted at how welcoming they were to a newbie like me. At my very first meeting, the leader looked at my pretty little uke and said I could "borrow" one of his for the evening. Later I found out Tahlula was considered more a toy than a serious musical instrument. However, I was hooked and determined to conquer this musical oddity I had tripped upon. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;">In the pictures above you can see I have come down with the dreaded UAS disease.."Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome". My total includes Tahula, another Aloha soprano, a Mitchell Concert and a soprano Kala Travelling Uke. I have also branched out into the delightful world of all things Uke. I have T-shirts, posters, tuners, music stands and notebooks full of song sheets and plenty of music books full of songs I hope to one day be able to play.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">On one of our sailing trips, Christy and I found out that a favorite, awesome, ukulele player we had fallen in love with, <a href="http://ukuleleunderground.com/">Aldrine Guerrero</a>, was going to be in California giving a workshop and concert at the same time we were in town. We delayed sailing a day to meet up again with Aldrine. We had met him at the <a href="http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?42118-2011-Denver-Uke-Fest-Videos">Denver Uke Fest</a> in 2011.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Christy, Me and Aldrine at Uke Fest 2011 in Denver</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;">While in this great ukulele store, <a href="http://www.ukuleleparadise.com/">Island Bazaar</a>, in Huntington Beach, California, (below) Christy and I found matching </span><span style="background-color: white;">soprano</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> Kala travelling ukuleles. They even have a compass on them so we won't get lost. </span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Me and Aldrine at Island Bazaar</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Highlights of my uke adventures have been signing up as a VIP attendee at two<a href="http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20662677/denver-ukulele-festival-draws-large-crowd"> Ukulele Festivals in Denver</a>. This year I felt like a groupie waiting to have my travelling ukulele (see story of it above) signed by the world famous<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_93067657"> </a></span><a href="http://jakeshimabukuro.com/home" style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Jake Shimabukuro </a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">See how we lovingly gaze into each other's eyes! Ahhhh</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">My travelling Kala uke getting signed by Jake Shimabukuro</td></tr>
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Christy and her husband, David, are my faithful partners in fun. So far I haven't been able to convince my husband to play the uke. He's happy with his alto saxophone and clarinet. <sigh> At the Uke Fest this year, Christy and I were unexpectedly photographed by the Denver Post. I found this picture on line of us in one of our workshops. You can see how hard we are concentrating. We really want to learn to play our matching Kala tavelling ukes. </sigh><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The <a href="http://den-uke.com/">Denver Ukulele Community</a>. is my home base when I'm waiting for the next annual Uke Fest to roll around. (You can find me in the red sweater on the changing pictures at the top of the web page.) This group is tons of fun and I can sing and play, as best as I can, until my heart is content at their monthly meetings. They welcome one and all and never lack in being "awesome" as our fearless leader, Doug Brown, loudly proclaims. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">It's been quite an adventure since buying my first, pretty ukulele, Tahlula. I have come a long ways in learning chords and strums and even a few songs. Practice is mostly what I need and that will come between my blogs and full life of many other things. I'll keep you posted on my progress. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">also published at </span><a href="http://travelingtealady.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white;">http://travelingtealady.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Roaming Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10675188743723371842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-66339601089509719902011-08-15T15:55:00.001-07:002011-08-15T19:23:11.441-07:00The Simple Life<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDmrGWhn2D19F93YDNsP0HxuK1_JG4PxpyrjvgDMdNWQqdqrKUD_I_kNKXidC5LZSYwEYyJByP78C7H_T3NvSn2fWjdIHIYTAGkwjxvVxQvslVdJbPVIKbePU8xVQZS2lP0oli78XM2NP/s1600/056.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDmrGWhn2D19F93YDNsP0HxuK1_JG4PxpyrjvgDMdNWQqdqrKUD_I_kNKXidC5LZSYwEYyJByP78C7H_T3NvSn2fWjdIHIYTAGkwjxvVxQvslVdJbPVIKbePU8xVQZS2lP0oli78XM2NP/s200/056.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641257167232685266" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div>After reading about the Amish and even making my own Amish quilt over the years, I finally got to spend a day in Amish Country. I could have spent a week there without running out of things to see and do but the day I had was great. My new daughter-in-law, Kelly, grew up about an hour from the Amish area in Ohio so she knew all the places I needed to see in a day. I was so excited to be going and made sure we were on the road, ready to arrive when the doors to the shops opened.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2PjPaNRgq89D-hJiGVqrut4wFQYD2k94oV-Tj1vtMr1C7lVhN1JS4pW-MP7YEPaFoJVWXjX7BFHqYezAoaaw9ZD8p86tBJ2Y-p3K6IhijJ26BnR6rO2L9nWnM5q8410vMH1mrT2JdqRg/s1600/010+-+Copy.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2PjPaNRgq89D-hJiGVqrut4wFQYD2k94oV-Tj1vtMr1C7lVhN1JS4pW-MP7YEPaFoJVWXjX7BFHqYezAoaaw9ZD8p86tBJ2Y-p3K6IhijJ26BnR6rO2L9nWnM5q8410vMH1mrT2JdqRg/s200/010+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641247980153320098" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 193px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKXj4zoukZ9OLWcaEA1GABUDbQaZ5w2W8SEzHOWpLKzprQCyS8ZGDK2aKhjPueQYwoDH1qFUnHPYuX4koMQIhgujA7QuZeh1ePuTqtO6G_hLKSDP7UeUYWrzJ3fmK_8-VIBa5LY5hvXjx/s1600/009.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKXj4zoukZ9OLWcaEA1GABUDbQaZ5w2W8SEzHOWpLKzprQCyS8ZGDK2aKhjPueQYwoDH1qFUnHPYuX4koMQIhgujA7QuZeh1ePuTqtO6G_hLKSDP7UeUYWrzJ3fmK_8-VIBa5LY5hvXjx/s200/009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641247843160629650" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a>
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<br /></div><div>To me seeing a horse and buggy was the ultimate Amish viewing. I was not disappointed. They were on all the main highways and my family teased me that I took the same picture of them over and over (from the back) but upon closer look of my pictures, every buggy was different. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBw35og1IqJMt7gU8xCqdqI0v3tJNqJsaOnnRJS6RVMw1W-DYf6O3RQFyGLwef2Hagmb_9fOIbCqtJQd62Z1eD7EBlgPxSPYAtxxiT5dQE0piVZvxVMkz1ArMinE89FHoSM3tSiwhlOyW/s1600/016.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBw35og1IqJMt7gU8xCqdqI0v3tJNqJsaOnnRJS6RVMw1W-DYf6O3RQFyGLwef2Hagmb_9fOIbCqtJQd62Z1eD7EBlgPxSPYAtxxiT5dQE0piVZvxVMkz1ArMinE89FHoSM3tSiwhlOyW/s200/016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641249572579963826" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0RjyGsp_YF5fRXMEK90WEHrDjjOVJ2z7L1zNcNF09220LVYJTqn2uev0cJBZCad0rz7aEI2N9QQaBxan6Fsb2e31DQ2w8WiOpQBGFU6Va2eu-uSWwFnhZzvsknAKAb0ALMid1e_7bvEx/s1600/055+-+Copy.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0RjyGsp_YF5fRXMEK90WEHrDjjOVJ2z7L1zNcNF09220LVYJTqn2uev0cJBZCad0rz7aEI2N9QQaBxan6Fsb2e31DQ2w8WiOpQBGFU6Va2eu-uSWwFnhZzvsknAKAb0ALMid1e_7bvEx/s200/055+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641269241041522658" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div>Our first stop of the day was at Lehman's in Kidron. I was familiar with the store as I used to receive their catalog when Y2K was on my mind. I wasn't prepared for the huge assortment of products from the past. The store was huge and lacking in nothing. Oil lamps, lava soap, toys, hats, cooking supplies, crocks and dishes, books, wood burning stoves and outdoor supplies filled the shelves. I do believe a person could spend an entire day in Lehman's alone. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8Uv_f3-0JQyMhmv_bZJ7yZPooaIAADXuGkOyjMZ7massnUd8i_VXLXzSz6TqWJWAgH_lUQHh0jYttWp1j3GO5U9MSmUuPtN_nKq5S36VywCPhUmxZDanDLoiP_MkUZ6fUAD8kulQauJO/s1600/006.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8Uv_f3-0JQyMhmv_bZJ7yZPooaIAADXuGkOyjMZ7massnUd8i_VXLXzSz6TqWJWAgH_lUQHh0jYttWp1j3GO5U9MSmUuPtN_nKq5S36VywCPhUmxZDanDLoiP_MkUZ6fUAD8kulQauJO/s200/006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641247444691491490" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Ashery Country Store was our next stop in Fredericksburg</div><div>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9l4ilsRXPwhdWxL8Z1ElL3iinVxCmiVOSNj6BG7tS6eqVcATHtmFOF5yhqyvZz6tupKNyZKHnNO5sWrHI0APRNvc7r5tf0W8Gma-X4cNQISBOHKp-_ZbjlBMQI7DXAnQRVBhE7jYAmqB/s1600/011.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9l4ilsRXPwhdWxL8Z1ElL3iinVxCmiVOSNj6BG7tS6eqVcATHtmFOF5yhqyvZz6tupKNyZKHnNO5sWrHI0APRNvc7r5tf0W8Gma-X4cNQISBOHKp-_ZbjlBMQI7DXAnQRVBhE7jYAmqB/s200/011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641248426703106210" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a> It offers bulk foods many of which can not be left behind. I brought home dark chocolate covered peanuts, Buckwheat pancake mix, yogurt covered pretzels, Buckeyes, sunflower seeds, and Matt and Kelly picked up beef and turkey jerkey. The huge bags of flour, pie fillings, potato chips, seasonings, jams, jellys and relishes could stock a pantry for a lifetime. Our sales clerks were dressed in their traditional dresses and bonnets which added to the authenticity of shopping in Amish Country. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYwBl0SFJSEZpB_FeB6jMxEXzWZ-0AH4GZNFsBVEQ5dwcdG2rv86wTCW-UCz7mdjJ0RCWuj74WXK5JwoFN3Kp6wMBxw0A93ra9TTE6MSd9XdiY_qOKpO5ZHEDFdQNfpEz6hheLYI7vRn4/s1600/013.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYwBl0SFJSEZpB_FeB6jMxEXzWZ-0AH4GZNFsBVEQ5dwcdG2rv86wTCW-UCz7mdjJ0RCWuj74WXK5JwoFN3Kp6wMBxw0A93ra9TTE6MSd9XdiY_qOKpO5ZHEDFdQNfpEz6hheLYI7vRn4/s200/013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641249156907365218" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a> </div><div><i>They now take credit cards. </i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoohomqAFFMg1XxAN4IArESKFT0_AO4vjQEPIfC8cj8ejD6IVKVKhluVc_quBFN5vA_8l7JTBC7DdJuYaI3GVqPc8jLv8EJ7ctEAykXL34AN5CGITiJJjw5Hg89KHCNzPOMN6WnPddN4-6/s1600/014.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoohomqAFFMg1XxAN4IArESKFT0_AO4vjQEPIfC8cj8ejD6IVKVKhluVc_quBFN5vA_8l7JTBC7DdJuYaI3GVqPc8jLv8EJ7ctEAykXL34AN5CGITiJJjw5Hg89KHCNzPOMN6WnPddN4-6/s200/014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641249165165186082" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Rows of goodies.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwa1AhiYtGAEE5khbaV-qEt4rHggMDpiZ8ST1eZy2hqcYk2FlzG2tPWOep8ptajpwBc4m394BrF-QywzjyDoQQVBOiKZXbyiTbNk66Vbk0B-m9Hxx1vQHg6tFeI6GQLHwg2DlGmira5VwP/s1600/018.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwa1AhiYtGAEE5khbaV-qEt4rHggMDpiZ8ST1eZy2hqcYk2FlzG2tPWOep8ptajpwBc4m394BrF-QywzjyDoQQVBOiKZXbyiTbNk66Vbk0B-m9Hxx1vQHg6tFeI6GQLHwg2DlGmira5VwP/s200/018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641250850145344082" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Heini's Cheese Factory</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Heini's Cheese Chalet in Berlin had us looking forward to sampling.The cheese is made in the factory right there on the premises and samples of all the cheeses are available. We used a toothpick to pick out a chunk of cheese from a covered plastic bowl (with signs not to put the toothpick in our mouth!). The cheese was wonderful and if I hadn't been traveling I would have brought home many different kinds. I did pick out 3 cheese spreads (Cajun crab, apple raisin and roasted pepper). Rex picked out a chunk of Swiss cheese. Lines of people moved along the coolers with their toothpicks in hand sampling every offering. Pretzels were used for the cheese spreads. It was so much fun and so very tasty. Once I was full of cheese samples, I went to the other end of the store to the gift shop. It was lovely and I found some personalized notecards. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnimqYg_aes2KUJehByYdqzh4O3992l-Q1JY40MeNj59RVvIhkfXwTt1uSStsnA67L1Vpe2Blqa2medtpD89oc9biRTHCgmGXsufZ1e74zROy0yG1OKYXORUOUvPS7rzDrJ-mAb3jJZg7/s1600/022.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnimqYg_aes2KUJehByYdqzh4O3992l-Q1JY40MeNj59RVvIhkfXwTt1uSStsnA67L1Vpe2Blqa2medtpD89oc9biRTHCgmGXsufZ1e74zROy0yG1OKYXORUOUvPS7rzDrJ-mAb3jJZg7/s200/022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641250413487735474" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5wtCnwxgx8aoBC9E-5wN7GMY1TOJkpgiutsq2XPXFMr0gW14VSIjTMW_zq4HjI75mXwDVVKhRXJdcclC5HZYbdJtWVFUIWY7uQXUqj8yA-5EqEgqhEEXv-1hMpY4Yp2vN8cKtIDcZ7Qx/s1600/021.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5wtCnwxgx8aoBC9E-5wN7GMY1TOJkpgiutsq2XPXFMr0gW14VSIjTMW_zq4HjI75mXwDVVKhRXJdcclC5HZYbdJtWVFUIWY7uQXUqj8yA-5EqEgqhEEXv-1hMpY4Yp2vN8cKtIDcZ7Qx/s200/021.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641261328080633314" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <i>Rex shows a sample!</i></div><div>After all that cheese you'd think we wouldn't be hungry but we were ready for our next stop, Der Dutchman in Walnut Creek. This Restaurant is famous for its authentic Amish Kitchen Cooking, and it is in the original location serving food traditions for more than 40 years. The waiting line trailed down the porch but the restaurant is so large the line moved quickly. Our meal was served family style and included soup and salad bar, large rolls with available peanut butter and apple butter for spreading, 3 meats, homemade mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, green beans and our choice of pie for dessert. The helpings were huge and between the four of us we still left plenty untouched. What a sad thing that was!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVIBVJEv-vpeTRAuc_aw-aAkA6FS1vSQzAwlB2_rfrbDOG1aAG6td79DJptlP45hR05z1DmZMkAXI5tn7kbHURkORLul2b1TLv5L4p6n7EFYn4sxTpCJzMEeixg_-yfnZFqAXSXjZu8VB/s1600/031.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVIBVJEv-vpeTRAuc_aw-aAkA6FS1vSQzAwlB2_rfrbDOG1aAG6td79DJptlP45hR05z1DmZMkAXI5tn7kbHURkORLul2b1TLv5L4p6n7EFYn4sxTpCJzMEeixg_-yfnZFqAXSXjZu8VB/s200/031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641252092451132466" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a> </div><div><i> A nap after lunch!</i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXAZOIIR1UjJtDKTlnG68iRZ7a1vAlkN7lI3qlAnFWcLImgRfVMcDRVZCSIsYvgikNMRWG0FOX9gi6AigQuPOPjL_pzdboqnStf5xFnZ0Hn9f0A6UTkm_NxzP9QwVtS1ID0AGyxBPGEDR/s1600/030.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXAZOIIR1UjJtDKTlnG68iRZ7a1vAlkN7lI3qlAnFWcLImgRfVMcDRVZCSIsYvgikNMRWG0FOX9gi6AigQuPOPjL_pzdboqnStf5xFnZ0Hn9f0A6UTkm_NxzP9QwVtS1ID0AGyxBPGEDR/s200/030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641252083044525810" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></span></i></div><div><i> Sampling from salad bar</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div> Waddling back to the car with very full tummies, we stopped to admire the panoramic view of Goose Bottom Valley. Red barns and farms dotted the countryside. What a gorgeous view that a camera doesn't do justice to. .</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjpncKoMLrxQV8M4hFpCrWHxirwPizZjnisIjAMapCErXtmUvaF6Nmfkcp0Y8mm5LbFUfWuiUu_mW-CcVjD_q_k3HtLCAHDleALRn5SZJBKkIGn3vFkfOhvjhruvpBaOqjcndhT86dlg_/s1600/034.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjpncKoMLrxQV8M4hFpCrWHxirwPizZjnisIjAMapCErXtmUvaF6Nmfkcp0Y8mm5LbFUfWuiUu_mW-CcVjD_q_k3HtLCAHDleALRn5SZJBKkIGn3vFkfOhvjhruvpBaOqjcndhT86dlg_/s200/034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641252100024254098" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div> <i>Neat farms on the hillside.</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div>Back on the road, we returned to Berlin to Tis the Season. This is Ohio's largest year round Christmas shop with three floors of Christmas wonderland. Of course we went to every corner of the large store. It was beautiful.</div><div>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQfnv3jffQq6VEFdRkWwZMaiGx8ob-drVVZrFzNko7RFsuekzZoXf_ac2_18KneuqtPPWtzPDutZbOtDd0MZ9F7lepGPhGPn3yPba4DiDZWlzf4k25pgH6LM3FuJbgM0xbrfK0jczPbfU/s1600/041.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQfnv3jffQq6VEFdRkWwZMaiGx8ob-drVVZrFzNko7RFsuekzZoXf_ac2_18KneuqtPPWtzPDutZbOtDd0MZ9F7lepGPhGPn3yPba4DiDZWlzf4k25pgH6LM3FuJbgM0xbrfK0jczPbfU/s200/041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641253632837248274" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a> </div><div>
<br /></div><div>While still in the Berlin area we made a stop at Wendell August Forge. I knew about this store because Kelly and Matt had brought us wonderful gifts from this store on another of their visits. </div><div>I knew I would love this store, and I did. It had so many hand-hammered metal gifts to call out to me. I found a pewter tray with quilt patterns that called my name. But for $75 I left it there. I did buy an Amish Christmas tree ornament so that is a trip keepsake for my day with the Amish. There were necklaces, bracelets, cups, bowls, coasters and trays made from hand-hammered aluminum, bronze, copper and pewter. Beautiful craftmanship was in everything. As we left the store, the wooden porch had the cutest rock planters along the edge. They were available to buy but fitting one in my suitcase would not have been practical, as much as I loved them.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROThpZ_Ucdj3a9wPXlJQZWLusiUTlWwYSjereyqmiKiKj1aCv0rvpSwUfjiw5y2zn2aNVCOR-hpotDQ6pXig8y4BXa7vwvMidJyf4Ss8EVEeecKosB-bZH-ceUGGQkvxgTBYuKcR1DTCY/s1600/046.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROThpZ_Ucdj3a9wPXlJQZWLusiUTlWwYSjereyqmiKiKj1aCv0rvpSwUfjiw5y2zn2aNVCOR-hpotDQ6pXig8y4BXa7vwvMidJyf4Ss8EVEeecKosB-bZH-ceUGGQkvxgTBYuKcR1DTCY/s200/046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641256406926108578" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a> </div><div> <i>Wendell August Forge</i> </div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbohu4F6-qxigoPOIn2ZK2iJj5qat1ZYQ-ZYRvV0oMKrUXUC6w1fzpi9roK3hXspJ8lu5-Vkxjelrvptq0ZJ1gxlIbpNOHEv3YeSuFzA5n3B32Gg0AYeCIujddKW_e8pf0Bjvjr1VjOXVy/s1600/044.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbohu4F6-qxigoPOIn2ZK2iJj5qat1ZYQ-ZYRvV0oMKrUXUC6w1fzpi9roK3hXspJ8lu5-Vkxjelrvptq0ZJ1gxlIbpNOHEv3YeSuFzA5n3B32Gg0AYeCIujddKW_e8pf0Bjvjr1VjOXVy/s200/044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641253640905911586" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></span></i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>Rock flower planters</i></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlwsUs21ZkqxHL9DgMrTWlqbfKMwqmIRK2YkYCc8yMlohcfq_tW43mDnuaIkcqgJ4ChP8int97qPCoDK257Ac3l72CTBDhjD8fZgR4kAhSiozmVO44CpoK7-6OHpgJNF5_lgELm_n6WRm/s1600/045.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlwsUs21ZkqxHL9DgMrTWlqbfKMwqmIRK2YkYCc8yMlohcfq_tW43mDnuaIkcqgJ4ChP8int97qPCoDK257Ac3l72CTBDhjD8fZgR4kAhSiozmVO44CpoK7-6OHpgJNF5_lgELm_n6WRm/s200/045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641255585501113874" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This is a display showing the</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>steps to making a Wendall-August</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>product. </i></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Stores were starting to close so we had to call it a day. On our way back we did drive by Cat's Meow Village. I was sad to see it had already closed as I have known about those little wooden houses for years. I think I even still have a few. It was such a full day though and we were all tired so it was just as well that we could slow it down for the day. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVK0YSBV5Q3LzDZUs9BklQm9guo2lfeb0StzZJgR_sQHlCEU1ZptJ075tALwAHxPBIQmWFa6TMTVdxo1iuxCVe-YPb_y_ZQyNB02iaIfOMu1Vo6X6ZWR-5kqPI7FbDv_R27dYvIzOrX09_/s1600/061+-+Copy.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVK0YSBV5Q3LzDZUs9BklQm9guo2lfeb0StzZJgR_sQHlCEU1ZptJ075tALwAHxPBIQmWFa6TMTVdxo1iuxCVe-YPb_y_ZQyNB02iaIfOMu1Vo6X6ZWR-5kqPI7FbDv_R27dYvIzOrX09_/s200/061+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641268402035105538" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 142px; " /></a></div><div>There are still many places we didn't visit but I'm delighted with all we got to see in a day. Kelly definitely knew the premier places to show us and after all these years, I am so happy I got to see the Amish people in their hometowns. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Also posted at <a href="http://travelingtealady.blogspot.com/">http://travelingtealady.blogspot.com/</a></div><div> </div></div>Roaming Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10675188743723371842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-29173374719351511302011-08-13T21:02:00.000-07:002011-08-14T19:05:52.393-07:00City Girl Goes CountryToday I joyfully jumped out of bed at 4:00 a.m. to catch an early morning flight to Cleveland, Ohio. Now some of you might get up around this dark time of the morning but I don't! It's against my nature to be up before the sun. When it comes to travel or a good time, I can sometimes re-wire my senses and go for the gusto of the unusual. This is what motivated me today! I have a fun and exciting 4 days planned around the Cleveland area. Actually Medina, Ohio, is the center point of my travels this week. I only fly in and out of Cleveland. I am here with my husband for a wedding reception honoring our son and new daughter in law who were married 4 weeks ago. Kelly is from here but was married in Colorado. This reception if for her family and friends who were unable to travel to the wedding.
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<br /></div><div>This is the first time my husband and I have visited Kelly's homeland. As a true blue city girl I had been anxious to see her family's Alpaca and Tree Farm that Kelly has told us so much about.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span></div><div>
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<br /></span></i></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0tztL_pkQ4-ZDDXo4649omYvIJ03QhJbB2_4zGdrEXmOBVlIfcw4Fd_F2J-hU268HVOKu8wjZBpPC7zVLceRCXZQ1lhyphenhyphenM5gyvxef7Nf5a4XNmyhlp-2_i5L1-jmKDPWNHSX1kxKH3weh/s1600/035.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0tztL_pkQ4-ZDDXo4649omYvIJ03QhJbB2_4zGdrEXmOBVlIfcw4Fd_F2J-hU268HVOKu8wjZBpPC7zVLceRCXZQ1lhyphenhyphenM5gyvxef7Nf5a4XNmyhlp-2_i5L1-jmKDPWNHSX1kxKH3weh/s200/035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640552235957792178" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>Alpacas in the yard</i></span></div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bHkh58C3wAX8iJYJiFfuW0cTSwrA-JfCQOddRnflEkBfjStcowXHPXI7E-tMuvhPEtnO49CtFelhoxOjTWjigYPTFzsV3BDxHcKYJfVuWW_mccVOV7sGPZQbQJv0PTFV-RxlbAJsTIMK/s1600/043.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bHkh58C3wAX8iJYJiFfuW0cTSwrA-JfCQOddRnflEkBfjStcowXHPXI7E-tMuvhPEtnO49CtFelhoxOjTWjigYPTFzsV3BDxHcKYJfVuWW_mccVOV7sGPZQbQJv0PTFV-RxlbAJsTIMK/s200/043.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640552244786645778" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span">Christmas Tree Farm</span></i></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Arriving at Kelly's family home, we were greeted by her two dogs, Pit Stop and Nascar. Once they realized I was family, they were happy.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgGBJut2YzZlbMWm_tbtUXhGTiU7XeM2SQE2DkDRktIgKOH9bUc_i516Hq_Py257i7C-TmkozukJBcoi4MrrUWfKkk27bBpB0rGR4WpeXkel6MF6951mVXsGMUoz2YuLZ09qfkuiQF6AS/s320/003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640183963456986146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>Here is my son, Matt, playing with Pit Stop and Nascar.</i></span></div><div>
<br /></div><div>I was then shown the way to the barn area to meet the newest cria (baby alpaca) born yesterday.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8IU99VNBgUwd91oWSeHKdvKGGa7qyz6lz_mRHIjGRb9Rx5Blb1oMCeZ0wc00s0WdW46bflmOZ68kPEEL60GDA0pUojGLEVxfd9XFraTBouO32bSKIG9jovSZ095eDK2CuDE1ypESe7Su/s200/012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640186386828843746" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
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<br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>Tony Kall (Kelly's youngest brother) brought the cria over for me to admire up close.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">
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<br /></div><div>Along the way I delighted in the many chickens that roamed freely across the yard. They were camera shy though as they would run from me into their coop. They must have known a city girl when they saw one. I wonder if my shoulder strap purse gave me away?</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEeYg8HXHzW5OkOv7byiNZKG1IFg_FnQrj2XavDl2CjJSLynTvA1CJiZDaK8Gj_g81KdA1IFhELrXbKUXUb75zwSK0G4PL3593jwSdal2iCVVVBn_4Fc4lCfcFJzIiv7EzQIBUCQQtIAI/s200/056.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640188981420473730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>I had to outsmart this one to get a picture. She was running fast past me!</i></span></div><div>
<br /></div><div>The 16 adult alpacas were most welcoming. They looked at me and I looked at them! The</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjDbij5B7_xI9mjhet2Q7gkHiDWcEYlnqCkS0q8tb3YstiZ9cW2l4pJXWj5OWmDjW4QWTf6tD1Ig-yuputNjraMoYhvDnami9EQvO8KDkte6K1kMz67mKtAL2zqEgO3N0Bhsm4fJKQUXQ/s200/042.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640193168564949458" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><div>boys were separated from the girls so I wandered to different</div><div>fenced areas to meet them. I didn't reach out to pat them though as I didn't know if they'd spit at me or not. This city girl wasn't brave enough to risk it. I was walking in a foreign land here.</div><div style="text-align: right; "><i>
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<br /></span></div></span><div style="text-align: right; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>These are some of the males,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>considered stud quality.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>
<br /></i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHieqonYuiAbJivvfpGntorS8K4LaRRx_lHl4CqRdA9fQV6zKF_SbqjMF-FbQclo83fOx3iI6ZuRwNGY26oTe_usQ4bzZSzdK0XWKVBBR41uKNTT8RkT5praA4qmQj5M7o7svj06Q7GBi/s200/016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640192005074741602" style="text-align: right; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>If I got it right, this is White Starr who is the day old cria's</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>Mama. Behind her are some of the other females.</i></span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3OU3yjJXNYal2CjcbXlZZlmk0hZr8l9_0gr_HYcYiH9ey0K6Njp1ajdX74kubvEmaI178pnbkr6tJ_Sz_GkR7NePTiYGP9dqmNQmA0jgr1aGBgqZ6p-1LmKO0qOVpuxLDyLAlX6OCiwS/s200/007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640188005816076562" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>The day old cria was a sweet, darling, fluffy little alpaca.</div><div>I did reach out and rub her and marveled at how soft she was.</div><div>I was pretty proud of myself for pretending to be a little bit</div><div>country at this point. Names for the alpacas are somewhat random. This one may be named F150, after the Ford truck.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div><div>Suddenly there was quick movements in the corner of the fenced area. Another little newborn cria had been found in the</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC13xkw38W5-ZA9tC-EbZzChk2drZzTlN9rQIZ6ZTjG0ppsReREUW5PnwLsGC-evRYtSWu8jR_G2NLmU0eYfUr3XEhhyphenhyphenQm1XYTbIb8VPy-zwH_xvuBryR-nxtC6FmoyR7VmzOduRTf6AsN/s200/026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640535637169124130" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><div>corner of the barn. She was breathing but not doing well. Kelly, her Dad and brothers gave immediate care to the struggling cria. Her mother, Molly, stayed close by while the cria was rubbed and warmed.</div><div>
<br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3hNt-yJSgtbN-5kh26HlPEXefzNEOanYTtWgzIwpNSjprVhoMEW6DStaGttxzLq9SNza2uR51L1RGTbnK-scCSrm2QyQqsNkjmGg5ZgS8F7RTTm3d8ST0fbDB-jwsnaDTKlZL95Qdoso/s200/031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640535994120864290" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"><i>
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<br /></i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i>Kelly Pilger flashes a smile </i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>as she </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>tends to the cria and</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>Mama Molly stays close.</i></span></div><div>
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">In the warmth of the sun, the 3 steers, Fred, George and Bruce, were led out of their barn for a quick turn around the yard. They didn't linger long in the sun and soon headed back into the barn.</div><div style="text-align: right; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4N6ZEbNn2VfyLwTdII-FvLNVe657dBZsI1yW_cqP4jTWjdZxvkTPEnasfkK_c5lN1_LXh8TTjfPA8gRlTRXLek5PnwYOf8gNYKGHnBNYVzPiRBMKwd0s382jhN8hyBspdYziXVyPmVvKr/s200/047.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640545615335722818" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhduBx6khzWfPsfi2H0xqiJmRufuaJzXLVpKlv8rMooOVdgzQkFk3iEABaHuXPlCbe34KzrSosW7wD5RfkfIBCywaq_x2EPobnNHOy5Fzeyb2WeIfpyRB_BGm2Alt8Q2tCGvSDdUHOsXFht/s200/052.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640547394904377218" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>Matt Pilger, Tony Kall and Andy Kall pat sweet Fred.
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<br /></div><div>Dinner was a fabulous meal of garden grown corn on the cob, potatoes and carrots and the luscious roast beef from one of their own farm raised cows. I know it's a lot of hard work to nurture animals and a garden but the fruits of the labor are delicious and can't be compared to anything else.</div><div>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">I loved being outdoors among the animals, tractor and garden today. I think my own ranch-raised Dad would have been proud of his city girl.</div></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>A beautiful butterfly in the alpaca yard.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWyLjo6UwJQHAIfAI6qSU8foUpVpOXNXkfeV4wcfGN4diUO9fB5nbgGb1cwEzfJ4NBpWGBErZMtGaqMynRux3kF5_BKi8-cxvi4aZMqxrnSQ7jHb3J0mKGI86g5vDzm2cZ0glrT0Vw-6k/s1600/048.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWyLjo6UwJQHAIfAI6qSU8foUpVpOXNXkfeV4wcfGN4diUO9fB5nbgGb1cwEzfJ4NBpWGBErZMtGaqMynRux3kF5_BKi8-cxvi4aZMqxrnSQ7jHb3J0mKGI86g5vDzm2cZ0glrT0Vw-6k/s200/048.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640554792289744882" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; ">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also published at: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><a href="http://travelingtealady.blogspot.com/" id="yui_3_2_0_94_131320038819581" style="color: blue !important; text-decoration: underline !important; cursor: text !important; ">http://travelingtealady.blogspot.com/</a></span></div>Roaming Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10675188743723371842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-63586440963425455232011-08-08T19:55:00.001-07:002011-08-08T19:55:53.235-07:00Thanks for your ultimate sacrifice...The men who died for us in the Afganistan helicopter crash:<br />
<a href="http://www.wjla.com/pictures/2011/08/photos-of-the-fallen-30-americans-shot-down-in-afghanistan-/robert-reeves-6219-451.html">http://www.wjla.com/pictures/2011/08/photos-of-the-fallen-30-americans-shot-down-in-afghanistan-/robert-reeves-6219-451.html</a><br />
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RIPRexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050985148711857877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-16694793540306477682011-08-05T09:47:00.000-07:002011-08-08T19:58:52.619-07:00A Little Good News<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">"The Guttmacher Institute is reporting that in the first six months of 2011 states have enacted a record number of pro-life laws." </span><br />
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<tr><td valign="top"><div class="blog_title" style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.01em; margin-bottom: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.01em; line-height: 28px;"><a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/273800/some-positive-pro-life-trends-michael-j-new">Some Positive Pro-Life Trends</a></span></div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Rexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050985148711857877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-43654764865249557882011-08-02T11:21:00.000-07:002012-07-09T21:51:56.060-07:00Following Their Dreams, Every Year!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OrkNb8h49mB5w2hLn9wpcctiaYVTmp5xV_T6L4IQ49h-SI0_DLXs6YCR8P_YA5Mg45wqeGYL-qkDy5E8q5swfqlHM9jt9h2WoALg5VE8rdF6xr-Yik2-5hAyTXqlzJY-yf9ZcfvmhzxA/s1600/034.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636325992582298722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OrkNb8h49mB5w2hLn9wpcctiaYVTmp5xV_T6L4IQ49h-SI0_DLXs6YCR8P_YA5Mg45wqeGYL-qkDy5E8q5swfqlHM9jt9h2WoALg5VE8rdF6xr-Yik2-5hAyTXqlzJY-yf9ZcfvmhzxA/s320/034.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a>I had the most delightful find today while having breakfast at Denny's Restaurant in Wheat Ridge, CO. <br />
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An exuberant group of people in bright yellow T-shirts caught my eye. The sight of them persuaded me to leave the safety of my booth and go find out what they were up to. I'm so glad I approached them with a request to take their picture. They were as happy to tell of their adventure as I was to hear about it. </div>
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The Lopez family is on their 5th annual trip. This year it was Alicia's turn to pick their family dream trip. She lives in Texas and has wanted to visit Colorado. So their bright yellow T-shirt boasts: Following Our Dreams to Colorado 2011.</div>
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636332761497037906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFCNeqeELK3GWfUW0CJmfl6Z3Go7gBrRQy6CHj92EI6Jjcv2qKMrSvm64rC56JlOIzr2ogSuoy-06iRXGnugio8cWKDCR1LM91wiJ0X2Z0FlgqOAsRr_l1PCmX7JOmHBgII4DYe_yM8bn/s320/035.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 320px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 240px;" /><br />
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This group of travelers plans for their yearly trips by fundraising throughout the year to help cover costs. Here in Colorado they have a 15 passenger van to travel the area in. The Lopez family travels from their hometowns to the chosen area each year. They come in from Michigan, Texas and other areas. Last year, New York was their destination and next year, it's looking like New Orleans will be the choice. Las Vegas is also on the agenda for the future. </div>
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Twelve names are listed on the back of the T-shirts. These are the travelers. These are the dreamers. Thank you, Lopez family for sharing your fun times with me today!</div>
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Also posted at <a href="http://travelingtealady.blogspot.com/">http://travelingtealady.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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</div>Roaming Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10675188743723371842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-86884603911788461462011-06-25T15:05:00.000-07:002011-06-25T15:05:03.033-07:00How? Tmi-One can't help but be scandalized by New York's legislature. As I wrote to a well known web author.<br />
Maybe it's TMI to be answered, but how can such a "marriage" be consummated?Rexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050985148711857877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-19119677414623038762011-06-18T23:02:00.000-07:002011-06-18T23:03:36.589-07:00En garde<div style="text-align: center;">Will and Abbi make a great team...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6v2RwV7mKvpB0C1Z7kytUziwAt1e2T3307fNQSF-oRDNsIm4KpNmiwBUeodu2b0MofhqvKJldqZ2lP3s08V5n_aopaxB3-NrkSgsqUCHgammiaiqBdsstgElqfsW4bJyW3lub3iHlPkE/s1600/WillAbbiSwords.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6v2RwV7mKvpB0C1Z7kytUziwAt1e2T3307fNQSF-oRDNsIm4KpNmiwBUeodu2b0MofhqvKJldqZ2lP3s08V5n_aopaxB3-NrkSgsqUCHgammiaiqBdsstgElqfsW4bJyW3lub3iHlPkE/s320/WillAbbiSwords.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">You were warned!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qvEwK0Hki_SjqiU4rBk4A6n698pHvom-BdFVgIzfJrIi_n1cGi8FD6dhclyqOHaFyz-GpvRRDsl0T0tXZJtf_jMHUbAmzp9XCuYxt3yUJoExbTqKFIQW2D2joGWntQRKWGK-iv3MvbVU/s1600/Copy+of+WillAbbiSwords3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qvEwK0Hki_SjqiU4rBk4A6n698pHvom-BdFVgIzfJrIi_n1cGi8FD6dhclyqOHaFyz-GpvRRDsl0T0tXZJtf_jMHUbAmzp9XCuYxt3yUJoExbTqKFIQW2D2joGWntQRKWGK-iv3MvbVU/s320/Copy+of+WillAbbiSwords3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Photos by Rita</i></div>Rexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050985148711857877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-20137476169743501762011-06-18T22:55:00.000-07:002011-06-18T23:04:21.344-07:00Boulder clouds<div style="text-align: center;">Looking north from 29th Street Mall...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieboGZsmNyMC2tQW5E9P0_jutvp7SqGfix48wiavTUoVmUvby4lmzg1wnrvaYGbGIAYJzoGr2SmrcdX2x7nEsfeeBk1HF7WMd5ELCqySDxgv4VgRrOrrULtWg0lpN73XZeai8vklaB0IFU/s1600/BoulderClouds1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieboGZsmNyMC2tQW5E9P0_jutvp7SqGfix48wiavTUoVmUvby4lmzg1wnrvaYGbGIAYJzoGr2SmrcdX2x7nEsfeeBk1HF7WMd5ELCqySDxgv4VgRrOrrULtWg0lpN73XZeai8vklaB0IFU/s320/BoulderClouds1.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>Rexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050985148711857877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-80690112330572780792011-06-18T22:50:00.000-07:002011-06-18T23:05:10.524-07:00Hwy 7<div style="text-align: center;">One spectacular view...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ijt6yg1wd3FQQtEVLiEs0elh-R-yQSKbWseg1xTwwD1-lzfxacMCj0ZVC4-lZF7XuZk6VC6PpxaLWn22rA8klr0o7kXdU7M3ffOP5dr1VdLC0e5K2KFi3082Cd9dINkuhQfaqmsFpKHO/s1600/Hwy7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ijt6yg1wd3FQQtEVLiEs0elh-R-yQSKbWseg1xTwwD1-lzfxacMCj0ZVC4-lZF7XuZk6VC6PpxaLWn22rA8klr0o7kXdU7M3ffOP5dr1VdLC0e5K2KFi3082Cd9dINkuhQfaqmsFpKHO/s320/Hwy7.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Colorado Highway 7 east of Lafayette looking west, beyond Boulder. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by Rita.</i></div></div>Rexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050985148711857877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-85525808452611064042011-06-18T21:05:00.000-07:002011-06-18T22:22:17.281-07:00Happiest Person Award<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwMRt3EA7uz1T24TcalyixoYdXCcKOgK-QCNh-g3DUHShDjO7Kbk4VhZdD7NwMFB_rxglxJgGYn1xB8RvcYs5aymipn_157Hd901mo4XP_C0zqUcbar6LJaYJI_r8a_UQBPKMfkppg0k0/s1600/001.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwMRt3EA7uz1T24TcalyixoYdXCcKOgK-QCNh-g3DUHShDjO7Kbk4VhZdD7NwMFB_rxglxJgGYn1xB8RvcYs5aymipn_157Hd901mo4XP_C0zqUcbar6LJaYJI_r8a_UQBPKMfkppg0k0/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619791977590246674" /></a><br />Oh the irony of it all! About two weeks ago I was tickled pink to receive a certificate proclaiming I was selected to receive the Secret Society of Happy People's 2011 Happiest Person Award. Along with my lovely certificate I received a large medallion on a white ribbon, and a ribbon wrapped cellophane bag filled with Secret Society of Happy People "pass it on cards", post cards, a button with the SoHP logo and a pin. My DH had nominated me and the Society also included his very sweet write up that won me this honor. I was just amazed at what he wrote about me. I do try to be upbeat and happy so to receive this award was affirmation of the way I choose to live my life. At work, I have an elderly couple that call me "Sparkles". The gentleman has often asked me why I'm always so happy. I've told him I choose to be, no matter what is going on in my life. My beloved Dad used to quote Abraham Lincoln when I was growing up " We are about as happy as we make up our minds to be."<div><br /></div><div>So, the irony I referred to above involves this elbow length pastel blue cast on my left arm. Six days ago I was futzing around on my patio and tiki hut. I was attempting to move some things around when I tripped on a rolled up rug that had been put on the patio after the garage clean-up session the day before. As I fell, I grabbed my wooden tiki serving bench and fell oh so gracefully onto the rug pulling the bench down with me. Even though it was a soft landing, I felt the pop in my wrist as I fell. I think my scream of alarm and the crash of the bench interrupted my husband's concentration and he called out asking if I was okay. My DH was in the middle of a timed test on the computer so I yelled "I'm okay, keep going!". He was doing a two hour employment test and I was just trying to keep quiet by staying out of the house. After I sat and cried for a few minutes, I dragged myself up off the ground and proceeded to evaluate the damage I had just done to my wrist. A bump by the bone was starting to swell, and it was hurting. "I was not happy"! Today I received a phone call, my 3rd confirmation, that my bone is really broken. It was a recorded message "the radiologist has looked at your X-rays and he has reported it is broken and that you need to follow up with the orthopedic doctor." No kidding.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have found that people are either curious or being polite. I would say between work yesterday and being out and about today, less than five people I have been around have failed to ask me what happened. Some even suggested I fell off bar stool or hit my husband or successfully guessing I fell. This cast is inconvenient, bulky, itchy, hard and just plain unpleasant. I find I tell people " I am not Happy" (about having to wear this cast). I wonder if I should start wearing my Happiest Person Medallion to remind myself I really am a Happy Person, even if I have a pretty blue cast on my arm! Attitude is everything! :-)<br /><br /></div><div>Also posted at www.travelingtealady.blogspot.com</div>Roaming Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10675188743723371842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-9097233732764214192011-05-09T19:48:00.000-07:002011-05-09T19:52:54.285-07:00Peppermint Patty Pedi<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNm5HphoHkLTxHn6kbwI0SH9Wy-XQOo1R-7EXfaeVm-2U0kYxg7h6xXS0URY1wH_FKhgjpw5IvMiFERnuyVS0m2HfZbQ7GhWxc4fNv72lCVXHjhF2eWss1_QDZytJ5JGblO8OzPhRneLsT/s1600/peppermintpedi.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNm5HphoHkLTxHn6kbwI0SH9Wy-XQOo1R-7EXfaeVm-2U0kYxg7h6xXS0URY1wH_FKhgjpw5IvMiFERnuyVS0m2HfZbQ7GhWxc4fNv72lCVXHjhF2eWss1_QDZytJ5JGblO8OzPhRneLsT/s200/peppermintpedi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604914546297531330" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span">I had today off from work and watching granddaughters so I made the most of my day. I went to the fitness center and got in good exercise. Then I called a spa I've been wanting to go to and made an appt for my "Mother's Day" gift from my DH. I got the Peppermint Patty Pedicure. It was heavenly. A few times I almost relaxed enough to fall asleep. To my surprise, a cup of hot chocolate came with my package. I didn't bother drinking much of it but I sure had fun enjoying the whipped cream. lol I had another little gift as I was leaving. It was a cellophane bag with a chocolate footprint embossed with the spa's name and a p<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></b></span>eppermint. I felt so pampered.</span></b></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">(also published at <a href="http://travelingtealady.blogspot.com/">http://travelingtealady.blogspot.com/</a>)</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></b></span></div>Roaming Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10675188743723371842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-31184996442901836992011-04-26T14:00:00.000-07:002011-04-26T14:08:46.472-07:00Praise Ministry Letter to the Homebound<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; ">Today I received a request to write a letter to the homebound in our church parish. This is a monthly ministry that the clergy and other parish leaders take turns doing. It's called the Praise Ministry. I was surprised to be asked but pleased as I do love to write. Below is my letter for the month of May.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; ">Greetings in the love of our Lord, Jesus Christ.</span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; ">I take great delight in getting to visit with you this month through this letter.</span> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; ">As we continue celebrating this</span><span style="color: black; "> Easter season </span><span style="color: black; ">we can ponder the love and joy we are witnesses in sharing with our beloved Lord. He is alive and He is with us! </span><span style="color: black; ">We do believe. It is through this belief, that we know our sufferings on earth are only temporary as the </span><span style="color: black; ">promise of new life is truth promised and proven to us. </span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; ">. </span>Looking out my window I delight in the spring blossoms on the trees and the tulips starting to bloom. It is again, that new hope, tangible at my own front door, reminding me that Jesus Christ has risen and is with us. No matter what darkness we have endured or fears we have, our Lord has shown us that we too shall come through it. He has walked the path before us and shows us the way. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; "><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: black; ">A favorite scripture of mine always brings hope. It is from the</span><span style="color: black; "> Song of Songs </span><span style="color: black; ">and it's a poetic portrayal of praise of the mutual love of the Lord and his people. In Chapter 2, verses 10 to 13 we read:</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; "><o:p> </o:p></span>My lover speaks; he says to me,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; "> "Arise my beloved, my</span><span style="color: black; "> beautiful one</span><span style="color: black; ">, and come!</span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; "> For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. </span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; ">The flowers appear on the earth,</span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; "> the time of pruning the vines has come, </span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; ">and the song of the dove is heard in our land. </span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; ">The</span><span style="color: black; "> fig tree </span><span style="color: black; ">puts forth its figs, </span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; ">and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance.</span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; "> Arise my beloved, my beautiful one, and come!"</span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; "><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: black; ">During the most holy season of the Church year, we have the wonderful opportunity to turn our eyes to the</span><span style="color: black; "> Mother of Jesus </span><span style="color: black; ">who stood by him in his pain, suffering and new life. Jesus gave his Mother to us from</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; ">the cross (John, chapter</span><span style="color: black; "> 19:25</span><span style="color: black; ">-27) and she is our Mother too. Her love and intercession for us is always with us. We are not</span><span style="color: black; "> orphan children of God </span><span style="color: black; ">but rather under the warm protective mantle of a Mother most holy. No matter where we are in our life journey, we have a welcoming Mother to comfort and care for us as she did for her son, Jesus. Our beautiful and humble</span><span style="color: black; "> Blessed Virgin Mary </span><span style="color: black; ">is honored </span><span style="color: black; ">this month of May along with our own mothers. Our lives are given to each of us by the nurturing care of a woman, who became a Mother. This is the most blessed honor to have a participation in the creation of new souls and lives given to earth by God our Father. Mothers come in all sizes, shapes, attitudes and personalities but each has accepted the gift of new life, their own Annunciation of saying "yes" to motherhood. Motherhood is under such attack in this day and age. Let us offer extra prayers this month for the many women who refuse motherhood and for the many women who say "yes" to bringing forth new life. It is spring time, let us rejoice in the season!</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">(also posted at: <a href="http://travelingtealady.blogspot.com/" style="color: rgb(51, 102, 204); font-weight: bold; ">http://travelingtealady.blogspot.com</a>)</span></p>Roaming Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10675188743723371842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-84300932112149620492011-04-16T21:39:00.000-07:002011-04-16T22:05:29.920-07:00Good EatingOne of my favorite people who comes into the fitness center where I work told me about a <div>restaurant I needed to check out. Rex and I went there tonight. It was wonderful and we had the greatest experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a web site to read about and see Dakota's Restaurant: <a href="http://www.restaurant.com/rdc/dakotas-restaurant-arvada-fusioneclectic-rid=405220">http://www.restaurant.com/rdc/dakotas-restaurant-arvada-fusioneclectic-rid=405220</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The owners, Susan and Michael, visited with the diners making everyone feel at home. The chef, Steve, came out of the kitchen to meet us and check on our meal. Before we left, we had a wonderful extended visit with Susan and Michael. </div><div><br /></div><div>Susan plans to start having afternoon tea parties starting in May so I plan to check those out.</div><div>For my next visit, I have my breakfast picked out of the menu they sent home with us. I look forward to going back. I hope I get to go back soon.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">(also posted at: <a href="http://travelingtealady.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 204); ">http://travelingtealady.blogspot.com</a>)</span></div>Roaming Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10675188743723371842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-59447108903368412952011-03-27T13:16:00.000-07:002011-03-27T13:16:27.619-07:00A special day...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqz33wRL-V8NK91tnjO7XfzBHrNSdKZMWHkpY1w98WIstJcW1lHVfKHv2gBv98NCwddwiDOpxa6qD_XCMTEiZsC1_ufbWsQDg8-_Nqod2neqs0iHP0-besKPW1jOe3xWCNYa1GtuL7KbK/s1600/19+Beth+7+wks+Rex+Gm+Louise+GG+Doc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqz33wRL-V8NK91tnjO7XfzBHrNSdKZMWHkpY1w98WIstJcW1lHVfKHv2gBv98NCwddwiDOpxa6qD_XCMTEiZsC1_ufbWsQDg8-_Nqod2neqs0iHP0-besKPW1jOe3xWCNYa1GtuL7KbK/s320/19+Beth+7+wks+Rex+Gm+Louise+GG+Doc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Baby Beth with Dad (Rex), Grandma Louise, and Great-Grandma Eva, 1975.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Great-Grandma passed away only a few years later, while <a href="http://diaconate-form.blogspot.com/2011/03/special-day.html">today </a>Grandma Louise joined her.</div>Rexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050985148711857877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-65974564060753564492011-01-15T16:37:00.000-08:002011-01-15T16:56:03.635-08:00Look What I Got in the Mail!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9zlxi8Ru-xJ2RvCKWqJKwpUFvTgfzxeu0xwJjd8IlpVs3WIZmtFQs2irwyoI2WLBldvxSo1y1MrCqDh2iNBmhpt4VJSVPFNBqPhyphenhyphen9E1leeN-hoeUQhfn6zNb-xj2Pz5atLxTT79BICKZ/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9zlxi8Ru-xJ2RvCKWqJKwpUFvTgfzxeu0xwJjd8IlpVs3WIZmtFQs2irwyoI2WLBldvxSo1y1MrCqDh2iNBmhpt4VJSVPFNBqPhyphenhyphen9E1leeN-hoeUQhfn6zNb-xj2Pz5atLxTT79BICKZ/s200/004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562577086955572946" /></a>I was so surprised to find a package on the porch today addressed to me!<div>I didn't remember ordering anything.</div><div><br /></div><div>Opening it I found this awesome <a href="http://firstalert.com/">First Alert</a> Travel Carbon Monoxide Alarm. I was very excited. Inside the box was a paper that said: "Congratulations! Thank you for participating in the <a href="http://midliferoadtrip.com/">Midlife Road Trip </a>give-away sponsored by <a href="http://firstalert.com/">First Alert</a>." This alarm comes with a travel pouch and is perfect for traveling and staying in hotels, on sailboats :-) or anyplace your head rests that's not at home. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you First Alert and Midlife Road Trip! I look forward to my safe travels!</div><div><br /></div><div>(also posted at: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; "><a href="http://travelingtealady.blogspot.com/">http://travelingtealady.blogspot.com</a>)</span></div>Roaming Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10675188743723371842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-7813169628632707412011-01-11T22:36:00.001-08:002011-01-11T22:41:07.850-08:001-11-11 I Have Met My Match!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyOko9BmbVxmLExTGWhkMnNQyWKk6FnuQDqv9fT2ijavQPsEHxWVIUTFvvGbMEnRHSRoiZYswh5RDfKFkmb9IAsYNM8bTz-yvF1gDBryaiVBm4ipEqkpTdIPLfDu1XV6nyica5wP7wYod/s1600/HowI+pray.jpg"></a>This date is so cool, I just had to do a post to use it!<br /><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHhoOfssbsaEUBpSEuSATsaJ8fMZTs68gtasAZRKoxjg4jTe5G6MXa6LfAj5beW6JmAPfQ4Vp8ZLdmOi-UuYL_WpuUcmLnoJfDU16ewF8ts5LiY-FM8Szxma5_7o0VIMO_PpU_BUPvm0/s1600/003.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHhoOfssbsaEUBpSEuSATsaJ8fMZTs68gtasAZRKoxjg4jTe5G6MXa6LfAj5beW6JmAPfQ4Vp8ZLdmOi-UuYL_WpuUcmLnoJfDU16ewF8ts5LiY-FM8Szxma5_7o0VIMO_PpU_BUPvm0/s200/003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561167508378790130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 200px; " /></a><br /><div>Look at these two sweet, innocent little faces!</div><div>I wave my white flag in surrender. Yes, I have met my match!</div><div>Three or four afternoons a week I welcome these little granddaughters at my door for an afternoon with Grandma. Sometimes I have only one at a time but mostly I have both at once.</div><div><br /></div><div>Abbi, the older one, is 2 1/2 years old. I have been watching her three afternoons a week since she was three months old. I don't know how she has gotten cuter everyday but she has! Her bright blue eyes and blond hair are just beautiful. Now that she is talking and showing wisdom beyond her years, she's a source of constant entertainment. Most days she wants to have a tea party.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmIoCQgSGxG9Kmb7iFfxppP5IPYT92tHGFmIui7LB5Zt_avA0IRSw0_HJgEGyVhP_7EHTXO4ovpiyBSgngsA8x7fexbzo3pGbrgFa2aQmsH-Rd2xp7bXGIt2cIkplqXiOED05Z68cDYs/s200/004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561169814761118018" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 200px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I make up the "tea" using milk and chocolate syrup. Abbi sips it and shivers and declares "it's hot". We can sit for an hour sipping, pouring and nibbling our "crumpets". Abbi can run me ragged in record time all by herself most days. We go from tea party to Candyland, to playing hide and seek in the house, coloring, decorating gingerbread houses or making cupcakes, finding hidden pictures in the Highlights magazine for her age, putting on make-up and painting fingernails, eating applesauce with "<span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>pink</b></span>" sprinkles on it, to playing in the princess castle that stands proudly in the corner of my living room.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Baby Mackayla (Abbi calls her Baby Kayla) is 1 1/2 years old. She is our little </span>preemie, born at 1 lb 14 oz. When I first started watching her we used her feeding tube to give her formula every three hours. I got to be pretty good at keeping her entertained the 45 minutes it took to feed her while connected to the pump. Once she started eating on her own, I shifted gears and now keep a ready supply of Mac and Cheese, and other finger foods to have ready. She still has the feeding tube in her tummy but it's only used at night to give her the extra fluids she didn't take on her own during the day. We hope it can be removed sometime soon. When I have Mackayla by herself, she is an inquiring, sweet little toddler. She will sit on my lap and look at books, play happily with toys, explore the kitchen cabinets, push all the</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTG-BpD8nkZNLcL0hBUOnZMySEbSpyL2bySptAjy4cXGchiW8Jdd6D-pMkhp9x4ECFMfLZmWj5FydzcH2A3Svd2PN3PmVhJj1G0Az_0Vd7CSECHHbA4RCr7h5njO-2kGFTXsXAbOf1ygY/s200/babysittingMack.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561183137337874978" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><div> buttons on the DVD player, stereo and laugh a lot. I look at her and remember her many months in NICU and how her dark eyes would look at me, melting me into a puddle. I still adore those dark eyes. She got them from her daddy, our middle son.</div><div><u><br /></u></div><div>Now, add these two little sweetpeas together at Grandma's and Papa's house. Oh dear! My house turns into baby-central. Suddenly my floor is literally covered with toys, crackers, little girl shoes and carseats, diaper bags and pink coats and hats. (Abbi insists most things in her world are in the color <b><span class="Apple-style-span" >Pink</span></b>! The suddenly calm atmosphere when there is only one girl at a time becomes a whirlwind of squealing, running, demanding little girls. Abbi and Mackayla go into the <span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>pink</b></span> princess castle/tent and I watch it shake as they rattle it with their hands and voices. They scurry in and out of the tent and the little princesses delight in having each other to play with. For my part, I have to intervene when Abbi decides all the toys are hers or when Mackayla loses her balance and falls over. And, of course, there is a potty chair I'm still trying to bribe Abbi to use (she tells me she just wants to play and uses the potty chair only at her house) and the diapers for Mackayla that she will only let me change if she is standing up! By the time my husband gets home from work and our grown kids come by to retrieve their precious little one's this Grandma is waving the white flag for the day. Dinner is often not even started and a path from the front door is walked only at one's own risk. I think I've even sat at the table propping my head up with my hands and staring off into space as the family starts to gather after their days at work. Yes, I have met my match with these little dolls! I raised five children but I was younger when I did that. Luckily enough I recover fast, getting a head start by falling asleep on the sofa sometimes. By the next day, I'm ever so anxious to watch out the</div><div><div>window for the arrival of the little girls again! Their little faces just make my day and delight me through and through. When the few days go by when I don't see them I go into withdrawl. What a blessing it is to be Grandma!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyOko9BmbVxmLExTGWhkMnNQyWKk6FnuQDqv9fT2ijavQPsEHxWVIUTFvvGbMEnRHSRoiZYswh5RDfKFkmb9IAsYNM8bTz-yvF1gDBryaiVBm4ipEqkpTdIPLfDu1XV6nyica5wP7wYod/s200/HowI+pray.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561185365661640226" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 113px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>Roaming Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10675188743723371842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-80259141288346773582010-12-31T19:32:00.002-08:002011-01-01T11:37:39.071-08:00Goodbye 2010It's New Years Eve, still 2010, inching towards a new year. Having a blog I decided to look back and note a few things about 2010.<br /><div><br /></div><div>January, 2010, I made a first effort to regroup myself after Rex's terrible extended illness. I signed up for "The Biggest Winner" 8 week program at Apex fitness center. There were 16 classes where trainers pushed us beyond our known capabilities. It was terribly hard but I enjoyed the challenge. However, I got more of a challenge than I had anticipated. After coming home from one of the classes we discovered our hot water heater had flooded the basement. Because of Rex's weak health, our insurance company put us up in a residence hotel and the restoration on our home began. It was a full month before the new paint, wallpaper and walls were back into place. The remodel turned out beautifully but the disruption was stressful. </div><div><br /></div><div>February, our beloved little granddaughter, Mackayla had to have her feeding tube replaced in a surgical procedure. I had been watching her when her tube just plopped right out of her tummy while I was holding her. Even with multiple attempts by her daddy to put it back in, the hole had closed up quickly. It made us all sad for her to have to go through another surgery.</div><div><br /></div><div>In March, Rex and I took a road trip to Dallas to visit our dear friend, Wayne. We hadn't seen him in a long while and he had some special dishes he wanted to give us. It was wonderful to spend a short visit with him but Rex was feeling so poorly we left early and hurried home.</div><div><br /></div><div>The month of April found Rex in New Orleans for a geology meeting. I sure wanted to go with him but it didn't happen. I was so worried about his health on such a trip. April brought my attention to a writing group that met close to home and I started going to it. I really love how much writing on my book I get done when I go to this twice monthly group. </div><div><br /></div><div>Rex traveled to Dubai in May. When he returned we planned to go to Iowa to Kelly's graduation (our future daughter in law). However, Rex's mother was diagnosed with 4th stage lung cancer that had spread. So instead of going east we turned the car west and went to the Bay area to see her. While there we had a great time going to Fisherman's Wharf, Ghiradelli Square and wine tasting in the Napa valley. On our way home we made an extra stop to visit Loren Davidson, a troprock artist! He gifted me with one of his CDs and some other fun things he had. When we arrived home, Kelly had graduated and had relocated to Arvada. More specifically she moved into our spare bedroom while she and Matt continued to look for full time jobs. </div><div><br /></div><div>June brought was one of the highlights of my life. I was Beth's guest on a Twitter Princess Cruise to Alaska. The first days were travelling on the Midnight Sun Express Train across Alaska. We had excursions one could only dream of. We rode in a helicopter, landing on Yanert Glacier. This was the ultimate life-time experience! We rode in a twin engine plane to the summit of Mt. McKinley, ATV'd and we went dog-sledding, whale watching, to a salmon bake, and ziplining. Not only did we have wonderful adventures, the people we were on the tour with were the most amazing group of people I have ever met. After 2 weeks of fun I returned home only to be whisked away to a Winter Park condo for a week. Rex and I had time to just rest and for me to recover from such exhilaration. While in Winter Park, Matt and Kelly and her two brothers came up for a visit. We rented a pontoon boat and had a great day on Grand Lake playing.</div><div><br /></div><div>In July, Rex and Beth answered a quick summons to come to California to see Rex's mother, Louise. With her cancer she was not feeling well. While there they offered for her to relocate to be close to one of them. She decided to move near us in Arvada. Two days later she was in the car with Rex on her way to Arvada. Her first stop was a lovely independent senior home. She wasn't doing well there so within a week she was settling into a nursing home where the hospice nurses had made arrangements for her to move to. </div><div><br /></div><div>August brought Rex's brother for a visit from Clovis, California, for a visit with his mother. We hadn't seen Kirk in a very long time so it was fun catching up with each other. The next week Rex and I left for another adventure of a lifetime! We flew to Los Angeles and met up with our dear friends, Chris and David and boarded their 45 foot sailboat for a week of fun and sailing. Into the month of September we sailed to Catalina Island and Two Harbors. While in Catalina, Chris and I bought ourselves Ukuleles! We decided to learn to play together! Living on a sailboat was on my bucket list and I and had the greatest time. Another highlight of 2010! </div><div><br /></div><div>October was pretty much back to the basics. I watched granddaughters Abbi and Mackayla during the week, worked part time, got to my writing group, tried to get exercise in my day. Rex concentrated on his work, ministry and his writings. Every year in October I volunteer at the Jeffco Action Center's Beautiful Junk sale. This year I was astounded to find a new, upgraded ukulele. I had started going to a monthly ukulele song circle. Having the new uke, I feel I'm now making progress.</div><div><br /></div><div>November brought us to Minnesota. We had been wanting to visit Beth and family since they moved there and finally we were able to do it! On the way, we stopped the first night in Omaha. Another bucket list item got crossed off when the night security guard at the Comfort Inn gave me lessons and a chance to ride his segway! What fun I had at midnight riding around the parking lot. The day after we got to Minnesota, we were privy to see their first major snow storm of the season. Eleven inches covered the area. That was fine with us, though, as Jeb and Maddie and I worked on my "Wreck This Journal" and played Mexican Train with Grandpa Rex. It was all too short of a trip and we headed home. On the way we found ourselves getting to visit my sweet Aunt Bernadette in a nursing home in Norfolk, Nebraska. It was a wonderful visit and it was to be the last time I got to see her. She passed away December 17, 2010. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thanksgiving was the transition into the Christmas season. After Thanksgiving dinner we put up our decorations.</div><div><br /></div><div>In December we were thrilled to go to the Alpine Choral's Christmas concert to see Mary singing. It was a fabulous concert and Grandma Louise got to see her granddaughter singing. I hadn't seen Grandma smiling as much as she did that night. A few weeks later we had another grand event when Rex and I went to Abbi's first dance recital. Seeing our little 2 year old grandaugher on stage was so fun and brought tears of laughter to our eyes. She was in her element and the cutest one there! The very next day brought a huge surprise my way. I was visited at work by Matt and three Applewood Plumbing Heating and Electric employees. They came to tell me I was the grand prize winner of their "Eye Spy" Orange Truck Contest. I had won a new 95% energy efficient furnace, with installation. Total value was $7500. Within the week my new furnace was in and purring! Also December had Rex in the hospital for a night. His on-going chest pain was worrisome but his heart was given a clean bill of health and he was sent home. </div><div><br /></div><div>December brought a milestone birthday for me! I had mixed feelings about it but it turned out to be A-okay! Mary and Sarah spearheaded a wonderful birthday party for me. Friends and family came and we had a great tropical party. The next day I joined my niece, Julie, my sister, Janet, and Kelly for a joint Birthday tea party since it was also Julie's birthday (she was turning a mere 19 years old!). We all traveled to Eaton, Colorado, to have afternoon tea at Victoria's Tiny Tea Room. Of course, Christmas was only days later so I cooked dinner and the family gathered for Christmas eve appetizers, presents and Mass. Rex served Mass on Christmas Eve and then also on Christmas Day when he preached. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's now New Years Eve. Rex took me for a fabulous meal at <a href="http://thefort.com">The For</a>t. It's a famous place and I hadn't been there so it was another Bucket List item checked off. I had the Chef's special (venison) and Rex ordered the surf and turf (buffalo). For appetizers we had pickled quail eggs wrapped in buffalo sausage with jalapeno raspberry dip and my meal came with poached crawfish tails in a spicy tequila cocktail sauce. I now understand why The Fort has the reputation it does. A cannon was shot off during our meal and a costumed mountain man visited our table. Festive balloons added New Year's ambiance and even though it was zero degrees outside, it was worth venturing out in the cold.</div><div><br /></div><div>May the New Year of 2011 bring lots more fun and excitement! I'm ready!</div>Roaming Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10675188743723371842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-53104055961216922052010-12-28T12:21:00.000-08:002010-12-28T12:22:09.909-08:00Papa at Mass<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIWUV9tnHwULC62WdXV3tKQveZ022Pk58vTrt1-dQrBb1Fs5Ofynctro5Ux0lPlJjjNvYOjOhH0Sjblam8JOxCjLlWHQEHrQ40S_UXG-VqgkXUsEfwlFCRTzH8F65yzMyQmgFns6hWwVc/s1600/HowI+pray.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIWUV9tnHwULC62WdXV3tKQveZ022Pk58vTrt1-dQrBb1Fs5Ofynctro5Ux0lPlJjjNvYOjOhH0Sjblam8JOxCjLlWHQEHrQ40S_UXG-VqgkXUsEfwlFCRTzH8F65yzMyQmgFns6hWwVc/s320/HowI+pray.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555830995521054066" /></a>Since I have 2 little granddaughters who are most social, I sit with them and their parents in the cry room at church. Abbi is 2 1/2 yr old and Mackayla is 18 months old. Abbi cruises around visiting with her "friends" and it's impossible to corral this little social butterfly. Since her Papa is a deacon at the masses we attend, she will often wave to her Papa and say "hi" even though he is on the other side of the church at the altar unable to hear her. It's always a surprise to hear Abbi's comments about her observations of what Papa is doing during mass. One day she noted "Papa is wearing purple", another day when he was carrying the book of Gospels in the entrance procession Abbi commented "Papa is hiding". She plays with her cousin Mackayla and wanders the cry room, occasionally looking out the window checking on Papa. At the end of mass she observed "Papa is drinking coffee" when he was cleaning the sacred vessels after communion. When I told her he wasn't drinking coffee, she asked "what is it"? I thought my answer "the precious wine" was all the little one could comprehend. When Deacon Papa was kneeling during the Epiclesis, Abbi observed "Papa is hiding". When she looked out again and saw him standing she commented "Papa not hiding anymore." Bringing toddlers and young children to mass is challenging. We are thankful for the cry room where everyone understands the antics of the wee ones. I do hope the parents making the effort to get to Sunday Mass receive lots of extra graces and blessings! They are most deserving!Roaming Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10675188743723371842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-31135853939790712472010-12-28T09:34:00.000-08:002010-12-28T09:35:52.184-08:00Applewood Contest!<a href="http://www.applewoodfixit.com/contest.html">http://www.applewoodfixit.com/contest.html</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.applewoodfixit.com/images/contest/_DSC7781.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.applewoodfixit.com/images/contest/_DSC7781.gif" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rita with soon to be removed furnace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.applewoodfixit.com/images/contest/_DSC8079.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.applewoodfixit.com/images/contest/_DSC8079.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Soon-to-be fresh air input.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.applewoodfixit.com/images/contest/_DSC7817.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.applewoodfixit.com/images/contest/_DSC7817.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Out with the old.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.applewoodfixit.com/images/contest/_DSC7795.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.applewoodfixit.com/images/contest/_DSC7795.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Awaiting installation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.applewoodfixit.com/images/contest/_DSC7794.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.applewoodfixit.com/images/contest/_DSC7794.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Official.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.applewoodfixit.com/images/contest/_DSC8252.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.applewoodfixit.com/images/contest/_DSC8252.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rita with the new and vastly improved furnace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Rexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050985148711857877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-39957901120006200582010-12-28T09:05:00.000-08:002010-12-28T09:05:01.363-08:00Christmas Gospel and HomilyClick <a href="http://diaconate-form.blogspot.com/2010/12/2010-christmas-gospel-and-homily.html">link</a>.Rexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050985148711857877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-46087630156942698872010-12-22T09:24:00.000-08:002010-12-22T09:26:07.463-08:00Rita does it again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://denver.yourhub.com/Denver/Stories/News/General-News/Image.axd?imageid=619446&copytype=3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" n4="true" src="http://denver.yourhub.com/Denver/Stories/News/General-News/Image.axd?imageid=619446&copytype=3" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rita is surprised at work with news that <a href="http://fwix.com/denver/share/4394f66a05/applewood_eye-spy_grand_prize_furnace_to_warm_home">she won a new Applewood furnace</a>. Matt helps her hold the big congrats sign.</div>Rexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050985148711857877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481617321372763621.post-16885760535515539622010-12-13T20:28:00.000-08:002010-12-13T21:02:53.900-08:00C'mon, can't I figure things out?After preaching and baptizing a darling little girl, I come home. In carrying out some trash, I suddenly experience pain - PAIN - in my upper chest. It's very intense. I take some 81 mg aspirin and wait - the pain fades.<br />
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The afternoon continues; I visit my mother and avoid the <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=301212022">Broncos game</a> (why cause myself any further grief?). Then Rita and I go out to dinner at <a href="http://www.redlobster.com/default.asp">Red Lobster</a>. In the middle of the grilled platter (stuffed flounder, shrimp and marshmallows - oops, actually scallops), the pain returns. We quickly put the remaining seafood in boxes, pay the bill, and head for <a href="http://www.exempla.org/ELMC">Lutheran's ER</a>. After several EKG's, heart scans, sonograms, BP and temperature measurements, blood tests, and a night in the hospital... the diagnosis is: strained muscle. Better than any heart problem, after all, so I'm dismissed and able to head home.<br />
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Poor Rita, and all she has to put up with.Rexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050985148711857877noreply@blogger.com0