Monday, September 27, 2021

GEODEBANG do the Oregon Coast


That's...
Geo AKA Mom
Debbie   Angie

As part of my 75th B-day year celebration I wanted to spend a few days with my daughters.  The three of us have never had a weekend away together.

Angie traveled out from Wisconsin for the week, Sept. 15-21.

On Friday the 17th  we drove out to Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast in the midst of the first major storm of the fall season.  




24 mph Wind blowing a sand river across the beach!



We snuggled into a cottage at the Sea Sprite

View from our cottage during a "sun break".




Debbie and Angie played their first (and maybe last) game of Labyrinth...I won!!






We mixed and created a memory stepping stone...
it hardened so quickly the decorations wouldn't stick. I still need to glue on the ones that have fallen off.



Black pebbles and little dabs of beach sand!!  

We (mostly Deb and Angie) finished a 500 piece puzzle of sea creatures!


I cooked and we ate "spojun", a childhood favorite...
(simmered ham and sauerkraut with baking powder dumplings)








There were opportunities between rain to take walks on the beach and check out Haystack Rock at low tide












Late Saturday afternoon we walked the other direction... 

...AND...

Found THIS on the beach!!??😲



A FOOT IN A SHOE!!??





Angie was shocked and astonished!!

She had texted this just a few days before coming out!


(...in the Pacific Northwest)





Angie found a FOOT on the beach!!

___________________________

Where there's one foot there is often another!

Now Deb and Angie both have a foot!!


Sunday dinner and 5 year old B-day cake for Rosie!




Schmidt bloodline ladies...
Great grandma Geo, Debbie and great Aunt Angie
Grandma Debbie, Auntie Micaela/ Auntie Angie
Rosie

Sister Goodbyes...

Debbie had to fly out for work the next day.
___________________________
Angie visit extras

Mt Hood and Columbia River from the 205 Bridge


Out to dinner with Micaela and Angie





Meeting great niece, Autumn


With Dad, Zach, at Waterfront Park


Bonding with Rosie

Full moon over Vancouver



Goodbye, and ride to airport with Micaela and Angie


 

Goodbye to MOMWOW!!
Ya come again real soon, ya hear!


REFLECTIONS


I am so happy to have enjoyed a few days together with just my daughters!  Debbie lives here in Vancouver, but Angie has not been here the past 4 years.  We had a great time simply hanging out, not worrying about everyday concerns.  It was fun to observe their sister interaction, independent of mom. I am grateful to see how they have grown into capable, loving women.  I am thankful God has blessed me with them.  I love you and am proud of you, Debbie and Angie!!  Jesus bless you!


This has been a good 2 GeoGram weeks in the life of Grandma G. 

"Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job's daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers."  (Job 42:15)

Friday, September 10, 2021

How Did This Happen?




Whoa!  What's this?
I must be in the clouds again!!





Is that Portland I'm leaving behind?
And Coronado bridge below me? 
 I must be in San Diego! In mid-August!



Granddaughter Gemma performed in the musical comedy, 
"Something Rotten!"...a scrambled up rendition of Hamlet, which the writers titled "Omelet".  It really cracked me up!








Bill, Amanda, Berklee and I enjoyed the late Sunday afternoon outdoor performance.





A more dignified photo of Gemma


Since everyone was busy on Monday with work and summer camp I took in the San Diego trolley tour for most of the day.



A drive over the bridge and into Coronado Island was included.  



So I enjoyed lunch and a few hours at the Hotel Del Coronado!







Back on the mainland, I hoped to spend the afternoon at Balboa park, having walked to the Japanese Friendship Garden.  The August sun and heat were too much so I sat under a shade tree to wait for the trolley to come around and carry me back to the starting point in Old Town where Bill picked me up. 

Koi fish at the Japanese Garden.



Tuesday Bill took us for a walk along Sunset Cliffs.








And my 3 day visit was over! Bill drove me to the airport Wednesday morning for a flight back to Portland via Oakland.  
_____________________
The last weekend of August grandson Zach, great granddaughter Rosie and I made an impromptu 
trip to the Oregon coast.




We checked out the playful sea lions,

And a curious octopus,


The Green Bay Packer Fire Hydrant!


An artist created huge shapes with soap bubbles.

Nothing like ending beach time with a campfire,  roasting hot dogs and marshmallows!





__________________________
As Summer morphs into Autumn
...a photo collection...

What sweet dreams are made of,



A "refreshing" overnight dirt shower on 
everyone's vehicle in the morning,


A heavenly feather or two,

 Thai lunch time with fellow gramma, Carole,

Love, Trog, the tiny tree frog,


A visit with my adopted grandkids,
Pomai and Ninoa




A dream come true!!  A large container of...

                                                                                 

CELERY FLAKES!!
A bit flaky??


Christmas lights for sale...
It must be Labor Day weekend!


REFLECTIONS

     As the summer season comes to an end I am astounded how quickly it has passed! Already the hours of daylight are dwindling rapidly and thoughts are turning to sweatshirts and pumpkin everything.  This has been a good, fun summer for me, though sad also with the passing of my sister, Rosie.  It's been harder to keep my energy and focus levels up now that I am in senior years.  But I am still in for an age appropriate adrenalin rush now and then...as long as I can sleep in the next day.
     September has settled in with a more serious mood of getting outdoor chores done, establishing a routine of piano and guitar lessons, practicing piano and guitar, enduring routine health screenings, exercising, conquering paperwork and financial concerns, interacting with church family.
     But have no fear!  There are a few September fun surprises on the horizon!  You all check back now, ya hear?    


This has been a good almost 4 GeoGram weeks in the life of Gram G.

"How many are your works, Lord!  In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number--living things both large and small."  (Psalm 104:24-25)