Decorating... Nikki's

Decorating is probably the thing I MOST enjoy.  It is a passion!  This week at Nikki's she gave me carte blanch and said do what you want.  Oh Nikki do you know how wonderful that makes me feel.   Anyhow She has a smallish office room which I was able to design the arrangement for and re-arrange with Nikki and Roger's help.  If I do say so myself the room went from feeling closed in to much more open and for Nikki more usable work space.  I think she was most excited that she now has a space for her idea wall.  Roger, I appreciate your help so much!

Sunday with Em

Lillie during Bible Quiz study 

This past Sunday I was able to spend some one on one time with my other cousin Emily.  We were at church while Nikki, and Lillie were doing Bible Quiz study.

Em and I had a great time we ate lunch and then we went outside for a bit and I was able to take some pictures of her with the background being Pikes Peak.  She is a bit of a practical joker and has an imagination that is always going.  Here is one of my favorite pictures I took of her.

Geocaching

So this week I have been visiting with my cousin's in CO.  We have had a lovely time.  One of my favorite things to do is to geo-cache (cache is said cash).  My cousin Nikki loves being outdoors and hiking and walking so since she had never actually found a cache we went out together.   Geocaching is a natural fit for Nikki.  So far being together we have found 10 cache's.  One of them especially sticks out in my mind. We started up the road and the gps was bouncing all over one minute it said 436' right next left and we were still walking straight up the road.  So at a point we decided the compass said left for long enough we would go UP the hill.  We climbed and pulled and made our way probably about 100 yards UP the hill.  And then the compass said it was completely the opposite way.  Thus we carefully picked our way back DOWN the hill.    We continued up the road and then it said it was like 120' away so we went up the the rocks and across a slightly frozen stream then there was a water fall we couldn't cross yet we remained about 75' away from the cache.  Back down the rocks and then around over the bridge and we find a real trail.  Up Up UP we climbed.  Nikki leading the way.  At about 25',  I came around a corner and BAMM there was the cache.  Nikki is not yet accustomed to looking for what doesn't fit was continuing on.  She picked up a Germany travel coin.
This cache is somewhere at the feet of Pikes Peak.

Today I am Thankful for...

So I was slow on the whole Thankful for month.  However I think that having this list is a great reminder of ALL I have to be thankful for.  

Today I am Thankful for... God who loves me so much that HE pursues me and shows me how I need to change. He is so good to me. 5 Nov 2010

... my wonderful husband who keeps me grounded and he loves me so much. I respect him. Thank you Babe for all you do for me for our girls for our country. 6 Nov 2010

... for my girls.... you know the 7 beautiful girls that God blessed Ric and me with. Cherish, Rhonda, Machelle, Chris, Mandy, Lisa, and Tasha!  7 Nov 2010

... my son's in law... I love them. Kevin, Larry and Jeremy! Thanking God that they all love God and their perspective family!  8 Nov 2010

... Faith, Colton, Zac, Tyler, Jordan, Tristin, Kyran, Kegan, Kaylin, and Mateo... our beautiful daughters children, and Cameron... who will be our Tyler's first child making us great grandparents.  9 Nov 2010

... close friends who keep me grounded. Today I will be specific... Marti, Tina and Janet. Hahaa 2 of these people will never see this. oh well God knows.  10 Nov 2010 
... cousins who invited me for ThanksGiving...  11 Nov 2010 
... our two dogs... Beaux and Nevada.  12 Nov 2010

... clear blue skies and no snow on the ground. 13 Nov 2010

... a chapel that preaches the Word of God and worships Him.   I have an extra Thankful today too... I am Thankful that Ric is getting to worship with Casting Crowns today. 14 Nov 2010
...that... my God is not surprised... He isn't confused ... and HE loves my husband, me, my daughters, my grandchildren, and my great grand child more than we can possibly believe. 16 Nov 2010


Well travel dropped off my Thankful for's... so I will just leave it as it is.

Fishbowl

A few years back when we lived in Europe, I was able to do quite a bit of traveling.  Whenever I travel I come home with "something" to remember where I have been.  One of my favorite places to shop was Soufflenheim France.  I would usually travel there for the day with my daughter Lisa or my friend Lisa.  Soufflenheim is known for it's poteri.  There are many styles of poteri made there and while I by no means got them all I did get many.   Here is what I call my fishbowl.  It is one of my favored tea cups, mostly because I can fit over 3 cups of tea in it.  
Thank you to Beverly at How Sweet The Sound for hosting Pink Saturday.  

Sunset

One night this past week I went outside to let the dogs out.  You know the boring normal chore.  And when I opened the door ... there it was.  Now my pictures do NO justice to the splendor and beauty that God painted on this particular evening.  Let me tell you it was spectacular.   
God is maker of Heaven and earth... and in HIM we can put our trust.  No matter what is happening around us.

Psalm 40: 3He placed a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see this and worship. They will trust the LORD.

Psalm 124:  1 "If the LORD had not been on our side..." (Israel should repeat this.) 2 "If the LORD had not been on our side when people attacked us, 3 then they would have swallowed us alive when their anger exploded against us. 4 Then the floodwaters would have swept us away. An [overflowing] stream would have washed us away. 5 Then raging water would have washed us away." 6Thank the LORD, who did not let them sink their teeth into us. 7 We escaped like a bird caught in a hunter's trap. The trap was broken, and we escaped. 8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.

Potato Soup

Ah!  It is rainy and cold out.  The perfect elements for Potato Soup!
Thanks to my Aunt Sandy,  I have made this soup for 25 years.  That's right longer than I have been married.  I was living with a friend and she had a trip to LA.  So I went with her and took care of her then baby Andrea.  Since I was in the LA area I went and spend the evening with Uncle Pat and Aunt Sandy.  And we had this wonderful soup for dinner.  She shared this recipe with me and I am sure that as in the past 25 years I will continue to make this warm soothing soup for years to come.  That it was shared from Aunt Sandy is heart warming too.

Here is Uncle Pat and Aunt Sandy just this past year.

Veteran's

Oh I love me some Veteran's!   I do realize now though that I am missing pictures of a few of my soldier's in uniform.
I am proud of my family and their ability to put their lives on the line so that our country can have freedom.  I can guarantee that our freedom's are not free.  I mean how many people who have never served have spent a year away from their growing son or from their newborn daughter?  Or watched as someone they know has died to protect their fellow soldier?  I would venture that not many people who aren't in the military can say they have or would.
My prayer is that you take your freedom's seriously.  By that I mean that you vote that you take seriously your civic duty's.  Someday and I am thinking not to far from now our "rights" as US of A citizens might be stripped from us.  These people the ones in this picture have taken seriously protecting your rights.  In this picture are 10 deployments.  I thank my soldiers for all you have given.  And those soldiers all have families...  Thank you to them also.
btw... Rhonda I am missing pix of you in uniform... and Larry I would love to have your BCT pic too.  Love you all!

Livingroom

Seems like I just love re-arranging my home.  Thankful for my neighbor for coming to move the shelf up the stairs so I can fill it back up with fabric.  At the same time lighten up the living room.

OH GOD ... help me

This week I am feeling really concerned.  Concerned about what is going to be happening in the next year in our country.  I wonder are we really "there"  are we to the end?  I wonder am I where God wants me to be?  Am I doing what I need to be doing?  Am I ??  NO really Am I?  
 Romans 15: 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

‎1 Peter 1: 4 We have been born into a new life which has an inheritance that can't be destroyed or corrupted and can't fade away. That inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 since you are guarded by God's power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed at the end of time. 6 You are extremely happy about these things, even though you have to suffer different kinds of trouble for a little while now.

(This week... the republican's have taken the house back.  Harry Reid remains in power.  Nancy Pelosi plans to try to stay as speaker.  The President went on a vacation. )

Oh Lord God I do know know what your plan's are, and I know that your ways are not my ways, yet I pray God that you will help me to be where you want me to be.  I pray that you will help me believe and trust.  Help me have the strength, compassion, and wisdom to do what you call me to in the day's to come.  Help me to love the people I want to despise.  Amen

UNDERwhelmed

Somedays I just feel all out of sorts.  Today is one of them.  I call it UNDERwhelmed because I feel UNDER it all.  Nothing is really wrong.  Yet not much seems right either.

Oh God, I know you are with me because your word says so.  I pray that you will come down and comfort and calm my heart.~ Amen

Jeremiah 29:11-14

11 I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope. 12 Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 When you look for me, you will find me. When you wholeheartedly seek me, 14 I will let you find me, declares the LORD. I will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I've scattered you, declares the LORD. I will bring you back from the place where you are being held captive.  

FLOUR FLOUR FLOUR

Sweet Rice flour, Sweet White Sorghum flour, Corn flour, Tapioca flour, Potato starch, All purpose baking flour (g-free), Corn starch, Brown Rice flour, Teff flour, Garbanzo & Fava flour, Xantan Gum, Guar Gum and not pictured is Almond flour.
Who would have believed all these flours would be needed to take the place of wheat flour?

Pizza...

thin crust pizza

So this is the 2nd Gluten-free Girl and the Chef pizza recipe I have made.  The other one which is earlier in my blogging is a thicker crust.  This crust is really nice.  Probably will be my go to crust, especially since I can make it the day before and then bake it off when I am ready to eat it.  Further it makes 2 crusts so this seems like great for left overs or company.  I topped it simply with basil marinara, about 5 oz of mozzarella cheese, olives and pancetta.  I baked the crust alone for about 18 minutes at 505*.  Then about 10 min or til the cheese was melted on the pie.  While this crust is not elastic at all and I would definitely recommend rolling it on plastic wrap as Gluten-free Girl recommends.  Thank you Shauna and Danny for all the time and effort you put into your recipes.  More than that THANK YOU for showing me that even gluten free I can enjoy cooking again.  

uncooked pizza crust

Quiche

Quiche... well I guess not technically quiche since there is no crust.  Anyhow I am feeling lousy... still glutenized from Friday.  So made my version of quiche and baked some chicken.  My "quiche" is usually decent but today it is especially enjoyable.     I can tell you about what I put in it

10 eggs and about

1 T of mustard and about 

1/2 c of cream and about
4 oz cream cheese and
1/2 tsp of herbamare .... all mixed

1.5 cups of cheddar cheese covering the bottom of the baking dish and
 a big handful of spinach juliann'd

1 oz of mozzarella sprinkled on top of the egg mixture after it is poured over the cheese and spinach

And baked it at 350* for about 45 min... maybe an hr

Pumpkin Soup

So Gluten-free Girl ... struck again!  Pumpkin Soup!  I started last night and finished it today. A number of veggies beyond the pumpkin.  It is topped off with just a drizzle of olive oil.  Shauna's recipe leaves part of it "chunky" and since I prefer a smoother soup I puree'd it all.  Yes I will be making this again.

Click here to find the "cookbook" I got the recipe out of.   Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef

printer poem

printer fatal error

new printer ordered

printer here

you not

could be days

could be ugly days

Oh yeah much fun

Apple Clafoutis

So for years now I have basically given up baking.  Clear back into high school I would take an occasional  stress day and just bake.  Everything from cookies, to breads, to pies.  Mom liked it cause I always left the kitchen sparkling when I was in that mood.  Anyhow, since realizing I needed to be gluten free I have essentially given up cooking.  Recently I started following a blog Gluten-Free Girl and started ... dreaming of baking again.  So in the past few days since I received her books I have been baking.  Ahhh...

I had located this Apple Clafoutis at Living Without (and it is one of the free recipes).  One note if you decide to make it I would re-stir the 2/3's before adding it to the 1/3 already baking.  And on a personal note... don't forget the sugar until after it is all in the oven then try to add it.  This really seems to me to be like a crepe recipe over fruit of the season.
When I make this recipe with apples again I will add a little cinnamon.

Sunbutter cups

I found this recipe for a treat.  Very simple although just a little time consuming.   These aren't an immediate treat.  Kinda nice ... slow down make the chocolate... just don't want to swallow them as fast as buying them and not putting any effort into there making.

Sunbutter
Chocolate
cups

Pizza...

So I have been collecting all these flours... I finally had enough to make gluten free pizza dough.  Oh can we just say YUMMMMMMM... sigh so so good.
It was baked about 8 minutes before adding the toppings.
Toppings are sauce out of a jar, a roma, about 4 oz of mozzarella and some fresh leaves of basil.

Girls

Sometimes I am asked how we picked our girls.  This is really laughable, because I really don't think we picked them.  God sent them to us.  

Our first daughter so beautiful... I remember the first time I met her.  Her eyes so filled with hurt.  Back then we didn't know what God was doing.  I mean honestly I was still looking for that little baby to bring home and bath and change the diapers and go thru the sleepless nights.  We are SO blessed that we didn't loose her.  This sounds crazy to some but we THANK GOD that we didn't "miscarry" with her.  Really while I remember vividly the day that looking into her eyes so filled with pain it was almost 3 years before we realized that this was God's plan.  I really THANK GOD that she held on.  

Our second daughter so precious... I remember her attending Chapel services.  I remember her showing me pictures of her 3 boys.  I remember praying for her and her boys and their entire situation.  BUT we still didn't have ANY idea what God was doing. 
Now the next three girls came all together.  I remember Ric talking about one he had told her to wait, hold on til tomorrow it was a new day.  Sure enough tomorrow it all worked out. These three came to us on 14 Feb 2002.  Cali and FL came as twins, which is funny since they are both twins.  If you hadn't already guessed one was from California and the other from Florida.  They always came up after chapel to give me a hug and say hello. Cali got sick on Saturday and when we went to visit her in the hospital she almost fell out. (I think for me that was the day I knew she was mine) As for the third one, she just seemed to KNOW she was ours.  Finally we were getting the clue that God was using these girls for us to pour out our parental love.

We really thought 5 girls we had a full quiver.  HAHA... After almost a full 3 years we had another who ... decided we were Mom and Dad.  I remember the first time I saw her... she was standing behind a stroller, her son wrapped in blue, in a Chapel with her husband beside her in his car-harts.   Then all the trips we took to France and Czech and Italy and the hospital in Amberg.

Then we were PCS'ing and all of our girls asked how many more kids we were going to get... We said we were done.  You know we humans make plans and God laughs.  This young lady was enduring some pain I can not imagine ... and yet she was still so desperately looking to be loved.  

I must say that we have many people thru the years that we keep in touch with.  And even with those many God has asked us to love these 7 beautiful precious Gifts as our own.  Our children are like ... anyone else's... they don't do things the way we want them to always.  Some walk closely with God others not so much.  But all of them were birthed into our hearts in a way that only God can do.   Many people do not understand our family.  Frankly I don't always.  God doesn't like the box that I like to put Him in. Isaiah 55: 8  "My thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways," declares the Lord.  In no way has HE more clearly demonstrated this than in our girls.  I doubt if we had had biological children if we would have known that these were our girls.  Known... haha figured out.  

I do not know why God picked these 7 and not others... I just know that HE did.    

You know when your heart breaks for kids for ... To hear the words mom and dad or momma and papi is so sweet.  Really I adore my girls and I am so grateful for God bringing them and their families to us.  Yes we had to obey God... but really we didn't pick God did.  If any of my girls read this you need to know we aren't all that and a bag of chips... but God loves you and wants you to know that.  So He sent us to love you and cheer you on.  And He loves us so he sent you to mend our broken heart.  Jeremiah 29:11 I know the plans I have declares the Lord.  They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give  you a future filled with hope.  
My current dream... a picture with all my girls... a huge bonus would be with their spouse's and children.  You never know ... but God knows my dream.

Lasagna

So while my mom was here I made zucchini lasagna.  Hehee my son in law would think I was out to get him.  Really just like the idea of eating g-free.

So the layers are meat sauce, zucchini, ricotta mixed with parm, spinach, and egg, and then mozzarella.  Layered to the top of the pan.

Apple Pie

So after a VERY long time of not being interested in cooking ... like almost 11 years.  I have had a little inspiration again.

Most of that inspiration comes from Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef.  

Last year I helped make pies for our Post Apple Day's.  And thought about... dreamt about having apple pie.  So this year Apple Day's preparation came and I again helped.  But this year instead of dreaming I started looking.  You know for a crust recipe that didn't start with flour.  Shauna (Gluten-Free Girl) has been talking up some recipe she just came across and is tweaking to make it wonderful.  In the mean time I came across a recipe here...

A Baking Life  .  So last night I made the crust dough.  I don't have a food processor so I did it the "old fashioned" way with a pastry cutter.  To do that I pre chopped the butter (next time I will chop the butter even smaller) and then put it in the freezer for about 1/2 hr.  Also this recipe doesn't have a cook time or temp... I cooked it at 375 for about 18 min... I think if I bumped it up to 400 for about the same before putting the apples in it would have been much better.  

Ok so please don't ask what all I did for the filling it is apples, cinnamon, lemon juice, and a couple of T of baking mix, and other random things.  On top of that I made a carmel sauce and poured over the top of the whole thing.  (sugar, butter, and cream no measurements)

Life

Interesting how life continues on.  Thankfully even when we want it to speed up or slow down it just continues on its normal merry way.  When things are coming to quickly say someone dies or a dream dies it just keeps ticking by.  Or when we are having the time of our lives and we would just like it to slow down and be able to savor the moments.  Thankfully it all keeps going.  I can't imagine time slowing down when life was painful and having to live the pain of a death or a death of a dream longer.  In the same light I think something that is wonderful would be a lot less wonderful in slow motion.  God made time to click by at a measured rate.  Not always do I like how fast or slow it seems to be going but time really does help heal our hearts if we just allow it to do so.  Time helps us remember the good and let go of the sad.  Time helps us to move past the horror of loosing a child to soon, or a relationship that we thought was solid.  

           

   Ecclesiastes 3:1 Everything has its own time, and there is a specific time for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pull out what was planted, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build up, 4 a time to cry and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to hug and a time to stop hugging, 6 a time to start looking and a time to stop looking, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear apart and a time to sew together, a time to keep quiet and a time to speak out, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. (God's Word)

Jeremiah 29:11 I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope. 12 Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 When you look for me, you will find me. When you wholeheartedly seek me, 

I am so glad that time keeps ticking on.  I am so glad that my God, Jesus Christ my Savior has a plan for me.  A plan for everyone.  Remember HE and HE alone loves you so much HE died for you.  HE and HE alone knows what you are going thru.  And HE and HE alone knows how he will use the pain you have and will endure to love someone else.  He hasn't forsaken us take heart.  

Trellis Quilt

I started this quilt sometime in early 2005 or even late 2004.  My cousin Nikki figured out all the measurements while we lived in Germany.  I bought 2004 and cut out all the fabric 2005 while Ric was in Advanced Course at Ft. Jackson, SC.  We moved to Ft. Lee, VA and I continued to work on this quilt. I could have 2 lovely twin sized quilts instead of this huge thing that has been harassing me for years.   Then we moved to Daegu, S. Korea and the quilt was left in storage.  Now we are at the current duty station and I have been working on this quilt for hours.  Finally at about noon Saturday 14 Aug 2010 I have finished this quilt.  After it gets washed it will go on my bed for at least a month.

Ok so the quilt is SO messed up.  If I had marked the original squares Nikki had me cut I would have known that there were some that were about 1/4 inch bigger than others.  As it stood I did not know that until I was putting the quilt blocks together and some were a little sort and some a little long.  If I had been smart at this point when I realized the size I would have cut it in half.  But since my blond roots stood in the way of common sense I continued on foolishy.  At some point in the past year while quilting and trimming thread I cut a part of the trellis.  So the Rose that is weirdly out by itself is indeed to hide a big booboo.  If it was truly complete it would have a name tape on it.  Well right now it doesn't ... maybe it will never get a name tag.
To my friend Lisa... I highly recommend making 2 twin's.  To my cousin Nikki... Thank you for all your work to help me even though I managed to mess it up as much as possible.

Gluten Free... or trying to be as completely as possible

So today I am IM'ing with my sister-in-law while she is in Landstuhl Germany. When we get onto the subject of my gluten intolerance.  She is asking me all about it.  We have been moving around with the Army for 11 years now so we really haven't been around the families for to much time.
I say that Ric calls me on gluten Dr. Jeckle and Mrs Hyde.  That he doesn't like the FLASH ANGER or the PMS on steroids and the lack of rational thought processes.
Char says... a new superhero...FLASH ANGER, superhero on PMS steriods cause by eating gluten
to which I respond no all of the superhero's are against FLASH ANGER
Char says "oh evil villain"


My gluten intolerance is indeed an evil villain.  And as long as I consume no gluten the evil villain remains in check.  The moment I consume even a little the evil villain attacks.  


If for some reason you think there might be even a chance of Celiacs or Gluten Intolerance a really great book to read is "G-Free"   by Elizabeth Hasselbeck

Hashimoto's

Yay!  The biopsy came back.  My thyroid is just an ugly ol Hashimoto's lumpy, bumpy and goitered.
Thanks to my friend Shari who took me to my appt in Topeka since I destroyed my tired on Friday and my appt was Monday morning.
Of course Lisa would NOT let me drive to Topeka.  Which is why I asked Shari.
And on this day My incredible husband and I celebrate our 24th Anniversary.  I so appreciate him and all he is and all he does for our family.

Random couple of weeks... Hasimoto's and a biopsy

Life has been rather crazy the last few weeks.  A few sunday's past a friend asked what I had planned for that week and since I had NOTHING planned on my way home from church I decided to throw stuff in the car and go to one of my daughters for a while.  I was home for a week and then I got a call saying that this same daughter was having gall bladder surgery.  So back down I went to help a bit with the kiddo's so her husband could give his attentions to her.  Oh and did I mention that they put their house on the market the day I left the second time?  So we were also getting the house as ready as possible for listing pictures.
I got home on Tuesday and on Wednesday the 7th of July I had a needle biopsy of my thyroid.  The best I can describe it is lipo for the thyroid.  Stick a needle in wiggle, jiggle, suction... do that 4 times.  Glad it only had to be done on one side.   I don't really think they are going to find cancer.  I have Hasimoto's disease and that grows a lumpy bumpy thyroid.  I have had my thyroid goiter before in 2000.  The fix last time was a higher thyroid level.  I am hoping that is what happens this time.  If so I will feel better within about 48 hrs.  Kind of funny what a little endocrine level can do to a person.

Sharron Angle

Sharron Angle... who is she ... to me?  Let me tell you she taught me paino for at least one year (to many years ago to remember if it was 1 or 2 years).  She discipled me for a very long time... taking me thru the Bible and helping me learn now to study the Bible, helping me to understand it so much more clearly.  She was my Young Life leader, a teen group thru the local Baptist Church in Winnemucca.  She taught me how to make homemade pizza.  Later she was my Principle and teacher at Word of Light my senior year.  Still years later she taught me to make yummy enchillada's.   And now.... now she is running for Senate!  In 2 days the primary will happen (absentee... I have already voted weeks ago).  Sharron is exactly who SHE tells you she is... and look, look at her record.   If you are a Nevadan please go check her out!  All you have to loose is a little time... Sharron Angle Republican for US Senate

Congressmen

In 2005-2006 we made many trips from Ft. Lee to DC.  We visited many many places.  At some point Ric found out that our congressman had Thursday "breakfast" (donuts, muffins, juice, coffee) when Congress is in session.  So Ric signed us up and we soon had tickets to go.  We went twice.  So the first time Ric was dressed in his Class B's.  The second time he dressed in civies.  Here you see three pictures the third is me the time Ric wore his Class B's.  Now I could tell you my conclusions... but I will let you make your own.  I just find it interesting that the one time Harry isn't smiling is when he is next to someone in uniform.

STAY off of the table!

For a few months now one of our dogs has been getting on the table and shredding anything that is upon it.  So today just before I left for  chapel I put packing tape all around the edge and across the center of the table.  Each piece of tape was from 18-24" long.
Here is what I found upon entering the house this afternoon...  Notice the shine on his back... there is a total of 3 pieces 2 on his feet and the third on his back.

Now notice that the dog on the higher step is completely tape free... The culprit has been found... Now how many times will I leave tape on the table before he decides the table is off limits? Nevada is innocent, Beaux has implicated himself.  

Mothers Day

My dear sweet husband ordered me flowers for Mother's Day.  Pale pink being my favorite color... Tulips sprinkled in,  again my favorite.  Roses are a close second.
Thank you for the beautiful flowers Babe... I love you too!

This last picture I added the Red rose from earlier today it was so lonely all by itself.

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates

Late this week I was invited to a VIP Town Hall Meeting,  VIP unnamed.  I got there early ... with my key to the car, phone, and ID ONLY.  And as per normal town hall meetings with VIP's we waited... They actually had a nice little spread of tea, water, coffee and cookies.  In a very comfortable room with comfortable chairs. (the food and the comfortable room and chairs are not normal)

Anyhow it turns out that this is the first Spouse's Town Hall Meeting ever held by Secretary Gates.  I was so surprised at how ... real, and down to earth he is.  He was very impressive.  I would say what most impressed me is how he genuinely cares.
When I get the picture his staff took of the two of us (in a line 10 seconds coin and picture taken, times 150 other spouses) I will post it.  The picture of him is from my phone camera so... well that is the best I could get.
He visited us in honor of Military Spouse Appreciation day which was yesterday.  We each got a coin and rose, after his speech of about 10 minutes and about 30 minutes of Q & A.
Now I know anyone who believes like me believes I should have been praying for him in the first place. OK you are right.  And now it will be much easier to do just that.

Pink Tulips

My favorite flower is a pink tulip.  Back in 2004 I had the opportunity to go to Holland and see tulips in bloom.  Here are a few pictures... One is with me and my cousin... she is a flower too. ;)