CITY OF HOPE

Appointment next Tuesday at the City of Hope. Not much else to say. Just moving onto the next Chapter. Thank GOD for a creative outlet. Wall papering an 8X8 book for Rich's cousin Eileen who is going to Hawaii with us in three weeks is keeping me some what distracted and occupied. Used a Jenni Bowlin kit and did a page for the first time ever after being a member for a year and half. To say that stuff is backed up is an understatement..... I took pictures so I will have to post some later... Love to all. Does anyone ever read this Blog?

30th BD - Fun- FishTales - Next Chapter

Celebrated Jeff's 30th birthday by going out on a half day fishing boat Sunday. We went on the San Mateo out of Dana Wharf Fishing company they were GREAT and I highly recommend them. Everyone put money in the pot for the biggest fish and guess who won.... Grandma (my mom), she won for biggest, most, last and whatever other category there might have been. That Fish is a 30 to 50 pound Black Sea Bass, it is about 20+ years old and protected so yes, it went back into the ocean. It took mom all of her 71 years and lots of help from the captain about 30 minutes to land this beauty. They even strapped her in that apparatus that you put around your body to hold the pole... You can see it in the picture looks like a fanny pack almost. GOOD JOB MOM. Needless to say it is the biggest fish she has ever caught and at one point the captain said to her "that's no rainbow trout"... Obviously.... It was a great day and all the fisher people came back here after the trip to celebrate with BBQ, brownies and cookies. We celebrated 3 birthdays, Jeff his friend Nelo and our nephew Jonathan who turned 10 on Sunday. I hope he looks back and really remembers how much fun his 10th birthday was someday.

SHE DID IT! Meghan's 2nd time ever scrapbooking and she completed a MAYA ROAD, album this weekend of her and Michael's trip to Oahu from last June. Her technique, texture and arts form was so very cool. She must be a natural cause she just sat at the scrap table and off she went. It was so amazing to see her using so many different techniques (and lots of product, I too need to make room for the new stuff) UNDERSTAND- she has never looked inside a scrap book magazine and as far as I know she has never been on line to scrap sites.

The pink & blue page you can't tell by the picture but she took fabric and rolled it up into a frame and safety pinned it with little pins. So much creativity. The only other time Meghan scrapped was at the Scrapbook Oasis, back in the spring when we took a class. It kind of feels like when your child takes their first steps or makes honor roll or graduates from college.

Meghan and Mike being here for the weekend was so nice. They could not stay for fishing -Not enough time wish they could stay for weeks or months. Michael had to get back to work yesterday and Meghan had yet another round of Chemo. We got to see her in one of her new wigs and she looked like a total rock star. Our news on hubby was not what we expected or wanted last week either... Lymphoma is still there and the treatment he received last May did not work the way it was supposed to or the way we wanted it to. More scans next week and we will meet with the doctor to discuss our next chapter and course of action. Maybe more Chemo and maybe City of Hope for a stem cell transplant... Prayers for Meghan and Rich are always appreciated.

Big Bear Lake - Remission

Swim Grace -Swim. See Gracie Swim in Big Bear Lake. She had such fun even though her human parents stood on the shore a bit worried when one tennis ball throw went especially far out into the water. The breeze came up the water got choppy and she was heading a little to the east in the current. Oh my... We didn't have to jump in (but I was ready if needed) and she made it back safely to shore. I guess we just need to trust in her abilities. She was a tired out of breath dog when she made it back with that tennis ball in her mouth. She would drown before she gave up that ball. That is devotion or stupidity- not sure which description best fits.

We spent an overnighter in Big Bear with our good friends the Archers (Donna has been my friend since we were 10... )We were going to take a TIM HOLTZ class at Collective Journey and when Donna stopped in on Friday and saw the sample she discovered it was the same class we had already taken at Scrapbook Oasis. The class description was a little mis-leading. Oh well such is life, we scrapped at her house and hit the Scrap stores in Big Bear pretty good. They have 3 of them up there on the mountain and it amazes me that there are 3 located in such a small area and they all seem to be doing well. The men played golf - we shopped, walked and scrapped what could be better. Donna is doing the Susan G. Komen 3-day walk (20 miles a day for 3 days) in Arizona this November. It will be her 3rd. I have done two in the past with her and I know how hard it is to train and raise the money so I really admire her for taking on this challenge again. If you'd like feel free to send my best - friend - sister scrap booker a donation (click above on Donna). Her sister turns 50 this year and she is a survivor so Donna is walking in her honor.. NICE.

REMISSION... "You are in REMISSION" - those are the words we want to hear tomorrow or the next day. Rich went for his scan this morning to find out if the treatment he received last May has killed all the cancer and he can again be cancer FREE. Lots of Prayers for remission! I don't want to think about it any further or any more until tomorrow... I just keep the spot prayers going every time I think about it. Remission is a word we would like to hear for Meghan too. We finally talked to her this last week and she told me she had to shave her head since she got tired of seeing all that hair laying on her pillow every morning when she woke up... Seems to be having some fun with it - she said she now has three different style wigs in three different colors. I will have to get some pictures from her I would love to see them on her. Continued prayers for this beautiful girl too. Time to get on with the day. Have a great day everyone.

Life

Time to just enjoy summer and this funny weather we are having today... Sat outside in the rain this morning drinking my Tazo green tea with a little organic milk listening to the rain hit the top of the umbrella, said a little prayer and just enjoyed the smells. It reminded me of the weather they have back east or in Hawaii. I want to go in my scrappy room and scrap but the creative jean seems to be hiding! I have been reading the Scrapbook Oasis blog with interest and excitement at all the new stuff that is coming and I keep telling my self "go use something up so you can buy the new stuff". Okay I have talked myself into it... I am off to go sit and stare at some pictures and paper...

Summer

Vacation Bible School! A summer tradition for my nieces and myself. This year we are doing something different at VBS Avalanche Ranch (theme)... We are doing the WILD BIBLE ADVENTURES for the pre schoolers at Prairie Dog Pre-School. Are they not the cutest little things ever. I think they are very cute since I don't have to bring any of them home. We (myself, Kelly, Cassie and Taylor - Jordan is not yet old enough to volunteer) are having a very fun, high energy and creative time trying to keep these little prairie dogs entertained for 25 minutes... 4 times a day. WE do the happy dance at the 11:30 when it is over for the day for us... RWH leaves for Oregon tomorrow am early and today is his birthday. As he says"just Glad to be HERE". At the suggestion of the nieces we are doing some Lasagna (by Ms. Stouffers) Cesare Salad and Kelly is making a German Chocolate cake his favorite.... The girls are using lots of scrapbook scraps to make BIG birthday cards. Oh these days are long and tiring but so rewarding when you can make it through to bed time. I need my afternoon pick me up... Time for a trip to the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf... Double Vanilla Latte Tea here I come... Have a blessed day.

POOPHED

I am poophed for sure... a non stop week and no end in site. 4th of July 13 people plus spending the night and stopping by for the day. We went strong from 9:30am to 10:00pm. Last Saturday party here at Hylands Islands with about 40 people for our friends moving to Colorado - Robin and Jim. Preparation Friday and Saturday before the party. Sunday Church and off to Las Vegas for a couple of days to see Rich's Aunt Liz currently treating for Breast Cancer back here on Wednesday late, Thursday spent the day preparing for the Happy Hour neighborhood party which was last night. Yesterday shopping with my niece and grand nephew from Oregon who left today to go home after TWO trips to JWA (staying with us. pictures above). Tomorrow our other two nieces come for a week of fun at Vacation Bible School. Rich has a birthday in their someplace next week and he leaves for Oregon on a golf outing..... which means of course I can use the bonus room to scrap with the nieces.... I am tired just reading this... I need a nap!

4th, Corn on the Cob and a Toddler

Happy 4th of July everyone.... what could be cuter than an almost 2 year old eating corn on the cob in the summer. My niece and my great nephew (almost two) are down for a visit and what a better time than over the 4th of July. It is a really BIG day in the neighborhood with ponies, bounce houses, beer pong, hot dogs and catering by Stonefire grill a live band and of course the 9:30 parade. We are competing for the best decorated stroller. Lots of company tomorrow all day and then even more for fireworks since our drive way becomes a stadium as the firework show is right over our house. It will be a long hot day but fun. Lots of Love to all and be safe out there....! Thanks to our troops and God Bless all of you too.