A Life in Pictures

Tom & Paula Skillman were here last week for a visit. Tom would be Rich's oldest (in time not years) friend. They have known each other since boyhood and grew up in New Jersey. I think we determined it has been about 23 to 25 years since we last saw them in person. One of my sayings was "this is why you send a Christmas Card once a year". Although when Rich was dealing with his cancer stuff Tom, was always calling and checking in on him and his progress. You can not buy friendship like that. We are just praying it is not another 25 years until we get together again in person.... Walkers and wheelchairs would be the talk of the day.

Does this not picture not look so refreshing and inviting.....?

Drinks before the Pageant of the Masters at the

Hotel Laguna followed by dinner at CLAES also in the hotel. Everything was so good. Did you know they only charge a $15.00 corkage fee which is so reasonable (don't tell to many people but they are also in the ENTERTAINMENT book). After our first bottle of wine we had one from Claes extensive wine list and it was a Joseph Phelps Cab, it was some of the best wine I have had in sometime (thank goodness for those Laguna Beach shuttles after the drinks, wine and a great meal). Again it was reasonable priced and the view from Claes is priceless. I would definitely give Claes a 5 pineapple rating. After a fabulous meal we were off to the Pageant of the Masters (someone, you know who you are - asked if this was a golf tournament). Our friend Margot got us the best tickets for the show. She has volunteered at the Pageant for over 15 years. After seeing the Pageant for years she took us back stage for a tour. Let me just say I have never seen such organization for such a huge beautiful event put together in such a small space.

As a scrapper I could take a lesson.

Appetizer anyone?

Pictures of us on the Duffy in Newport Harbor we took a 3 hour tour and looked at all the big houses and boats, ate guacamole and soaked up some sun

Gotta take a foot picture....

And this week neice Cassie is here after completing her summer school stint. We have been to the Sawdust Festival Laguna Beach were we went to the TOE BOOTH and got new toe rings.... My feet look so much better now.....(like that would work), shopping and she has been scrapbooking.

Ahhh aren't they cute waiting for their

new toe rings?

Finally a picture of Cassie with the accordion scrapbook she made for her friend. She has done the front and she left the back blank for her friend to finish. What a good "friend" idea. I must say she was very creative and used a couple of techniques I would never have thought up. They are tiny details you can barely see on the pictures but they were clever.

One of Cassie's girlfriend sayings is
"be yourself".... So just be yourself this week.... xoxox God Bless and Happy Adhesive to all my scrappy friends.

BLAH.....

that is what I personally am feeling today. It has been a wonderful blessed busy life since last I blogged and I have tons of pictures to share. Could be the sore throat and body aches have something to do with it. Good news is they are on their way out (do you ever feel like a giant germ?) I know I need to get busy and make one of these for tomorrow a fabulous colorful fruit tart (like you couldn't tell it was fruit). This will be my offering for our dinner we have planned for tomorrow with our friends the Terwiske's. My scrappy friend Lia is coming over for some therapy scrap time tonight so that should help the mood. Have a wonderful great weekend everyone and make some memories.

HAS ANYONE SEEN...

Last Week? Where did it go? Was the 4th of July really 10 days ago? Pondering questions for minds who lose track of time! Or entire weeks. Actually the last 10 days were great except for the fact they went by entirely to fast. Good thing I had my trusty camera to take pictures so I could document some of the fast times. Another thing I love about being a scrapper is knowing I need to capture these times that seem so ordinary. Left to my own abilities with no camera things would be more of a fast blur, my mind would forget and a simple pictures can provoke so many thoughts and feelings of a moment... Heck, it can even bring the weather back when you look into those inks on the print that capture the moment (wow it was really hot that day or cold or the wind was blowing so fierce). You get the PICTURE.....?

Quick recap, Michael was here for the 4th and his 27th birthday on the 5th. We had a great time at our neighborhood party, visiting with friends, eating and watching fireworks. Monday was the start of Vacation Bible School and Rich went to the City of Hope for a scan (which came back great... another 3 month recess and in remission, thank you Jesus). I had 3 of my 4 neices for a WAKE OVER on Thursday (when I mentioned to my pasters wife I was having a sleep over at VBS and was not sure if I was mentally ready... she said sleep over - they never sleep it's a wake over, I thought that was funny... so sleep overs should officially be renamed)! Friday I took neice Kelly to the Oasis for a crop... She is 15, has a boyfriend and spends most of her time on the phone sending text messages. Not sure how she would take this CROP thing.... She loved it! Annie Adams was there and printed these amazing pictures on her Canon printer. Kelly had one done of her and her sister for their bedroom wall. Thank you, Oasis, Annie and Canon... You made an Aunty and a 15 year old very happy.


This week life should be a little slower.... A few highlights my wonderful hubby has a birthday on Friday... AND AND AND...... I get my left arm cast off on Thursday at 11:15... I am counting the seconds on this one... It has been 5 weeks of wearing a wet sponge on my arm... ICK.... I can not wait for the freedom... I will be having my own freedom celebration.... I may even go get a mainicure to celebrate.

Happy week to all! watch out the hurridness syndrom... and if it happens to you and your week goes by to fast take pictures.... Speaking of pictures ... here are a few from the last 10 days.


Sarah with her prize from the cake walk on the 4th... Kids love a cake walk...






The girls watching fireworks in the back of the golf cart outside.... The next picture is the boys watching fireworks all with head phones on in the back of the SUV... They did not like the noise

....

The Boys







VBS Church Wrap Up. Kelly and Cassie with our Paster below picture... Can you tell it was a wild week.

Finally a picture of the July Birthday Boys... Well 2 of them anyway... My Rich on the left and My Michael in the middle with our Neighbor Steel on the 4th. Happy Birthday to you both... Love you...

How was your week & 4th of July

Wednesday... is it really Wednesday already? The week is flying by. Where did last weekend go? Let's see last Friday was a Dodger game in one of those amazing suites. Our once a year Dodger game (and they were playing the Angel's) with some of Rich's clients from work. We were looking up the first base side a little left of home place... I feel so Hollywood hanging out in that suite. If you have never been they must have 7 TV's (this is not a big area), a computer with Internet access, amazing food and a leather DODGER BLUE couch (until this trip I had not noticed the color of the couch. I should have taken my camera to take pic's). It was hard to decide if we were Dodger fans or Angel fans. One thing for sure we LOVED it when Andre Ether hit a home run off the bench. He was one of the young, personable players who came to see Rich when he was at the City of Hope. We call him OUR boy...

Saturday was our friends son wine release Party... RENDARIO wines. He has been making wine since 2003 and this release was a SYRAH... Very tasty... Some of us may have tasted a little to much. Let's just say I had to drive home with my gimp leg.

Sunday we went to this darling babies baptism. Can not wait to scrap this picture. Look at those amazing blue eyes. Being a scrapper I see all these cute baby and kid layouts and I get a little jealous since my life is no longer in that season and I don't think there has ever been a scrap magazine published without a baby section. When are they going to publish more "empty nest" layouts.... NEVER... Now I get to do a cute baby page...



Back to today... Monday and Tuesday just evaporated like water in the heat. Taking my great neighbor Barb to Paris in a Cup for her birthday which was June 18th. I am so glad I got to go and discover this place with all my scrappin pals back in May. Cheryl, Kim, Lia and Rebbecca (see blog Monday, June 2, 2008 Find your Fabulous). Barb and I love our tea and she appreciates good food and things that are different. When Barb needs therapy she cooks or bakes.

Happy 4th of July to everyone near and far here are a few pics from prior years. No they are not scrapped but they are still good pictures.


Jonathan, Kelly, Cassie, their friend, Veronica and Sarah. I love the freedom of being carefree on their face and just having FUN. As adults we don't let loose and dance like kids... Maybe we should?

Last year's Frisbee golf team. Paul Brown, Pastor Competitive Mike, Rich, Jeff and Jonathan. I think they lost over $75.00 in Frisbees last year on roof tops and stuck in trees. I do hope for a better showing this year MEN.

A picture of Our Michael (who will be here this weekend, we really hope we have a sighting or two... He will be 27th on July 5th... WOW) Jonathan and Grace... Grace loves to ride in the golf cart. We live in amazing neighborhood that has a huge 4th of July event. This year thanks to the cast and leg boot we are getting a cart again.

Time to go have that birthday lunch with Barb. Have a wonderful Wednesday and 4th of July Holiday.

UPDATE: Meghan is home. She came home a week ago last Tuesday. I talked to her mom last night and she is doing amazingly better than last time. Mike even told me the two of them have gone for small walks around the park next door to her house. PRAYERS are working. Thanks everyone and God Bless you and yours. Celebrate Freedom!
Finally A picture of Mike & Meghan on the 4th of July I think in 05.

Note to Self: properly label your pictures with the year on computer... The older I get the more I forget....!