Happy Surprise for Grandma G...... Post Views 8247

     The Vancouver Senior trip went to the Roloff Farm today......

                                                           And I went with them.......

                  The Roloffs are the family featured on TLC's 
                                   Little People Big World
   I have been a fan of theirs since they first aired several years ago. 
Matt and Amy are both little people.  They have 4 children---three regular size and one "little" like them.   
    When I first watched their program I was living in Wisconsin.  I was thrilled to learn that they live a short distance from Portland.  
     Deb took me to visit their pumpkin patch a few years back.  I was able to get my picture with Amy.

 

    

 I was excited today to visit again.
 Our group went on their wagon tour....

 











    



               We were treated to a BIG (HMMM) surprise.....
                Matt Roloff was to be our tour commentator......

Matt Roloff and Grandma G

       Come back tomorrow for more fun photos from the farm....

This has been a good "happy surprise" day in the life of Grandma G

   "A cheerful heart is good medicine..."  (Proverbs 17:22)

Variety of Activity.....Post views 8214

     How quickly the days roll by.  I often heard when I was younger that time goes by faster as one gets older.  I must be getting older!  Lately "weeks" seem like days. And its been 3 days since I blogged. I even have to figure in my mind what day today is.  Sure glad you all keep checking back on Grandma G!

    Some days are "senior citizen" challenging.  Sunday after a wonderful church service I went for a walk---later in the day when the rain gave way to sunshine.  Did 2 miles again.  That is getting easier to do and I didn't feel fatigued the following day.  The next goal is to add another half mile which will bring me to a Taco Bell fast food restaurant.  Stopping in for a taco will give me a rest and then I can head back home.  This is a goal--not achieved yet.  

    My son, Gerry, who lives in southern California, had taken a trip back to Park Falls, WI this past weekend.  He posted a few pictures on Face Book.  

Visiting 101 year old Grandma Rose. He was affectionately known to her as Gerry Bear.  

                                                    Funky mushroom......
                             (I've only seen those made                                            out of ceramic.)

Autumn scene in northern Wisconsin

 The Gruener Wald--
The Green Forest....
A tavern and upstairs living quarters/ built from the rocks that were cleared from the fields for farming when the early German immigrants settled here.  Built by my uncle's father.  Grandma G had her wedding brunch here since it was owned by my Aunt Emma and Uncle Jack at the time.  (I also lived there for a time during my teen years.)

       Speaking of German......This is a German pancake.....
I never heard of one or saw one before today.  I would have thought a German pancake was another name for a potato pancake.  

      It was "out to ladies' lunch" today here in VC.  I had something more American----turkey and mashed (Yukon Gold) potatoes.  We 11 ladies had a fun time visiting and eating.  I hadn't been to one of these gathering since last spring.  The ladies seemed genuinely happy to see me.  It's nice to be included in conversations that imply one is a belonging member.  

      Back to Monday.  It wasn't as exciting so this print can be smaller.  I had my piano student later in the afternoon.  Her mom asked if I had any business cards because other moms are wanting to know who gives piano lessons.  Yeah!!  I do have new post card sized advertising ordered and then I will be around town displaying them.

       Then it was on to Fred Meyers shopping center for some......shopping.  Also a good time to get accustomed to driving my little SUV.

 Pacific Northwest winter footwear......







Interesting "princess" pumpkins








      Tuesday was a chill, rainy stay at home day......after morning water aerobics.  I was going to put a pot roast and veggies in the oven, but since the meat wasn't thawed I decided on a different "down home cooking" day.
        A sudden winter storm blew in......blue skies turned black, the wind blew hard, the rains fell and then.....the hail pelted the ground.......it even accumulated.....

     
      This has been a good 3 "variety of activities" days in the life of Grandma G.

      "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. " (Proverbs 16:24)

WOF Conference for us....... Post Views 8171

                     It's a day out in Portland on Saturday 
                      for Grandma G, Carole and Debbie--
                      to the Women of Faith conference!

 
 Morning sunrise through the  rain clouds as we cross the Columbia at 7:30AM

Crossing one of Portland's many bridges....

A day of listening to Godly speakers, humor, music and praising Jesus with thousands of PNW women.  Great......

 Where we sat.....

   Only 3 rows to the very top.....

      Looking down......

Outside in the sun, warmth and green grass to eat lunch

Convention Center and "the Max"  trolley train

Laser lights and concert....

Mt. Hood, blue skies and houseboats on the Columbia River.....

( crossing the I-5 bridge on the way home at 6PM)

     This has been a good "Carole, Debbie, Georgia" day in the life of Grandma G. 

    "Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears [reverences] the Lord is to be praised."  (Proverbs 31:30) 

Sunshine Returns.... Post Views 8127

      After several days of rain the sunshine returned this afternoon.  The air was slightly cool, but the sun SO refreshing and warm.  I went for a 45 minute walk and was treated to lovely views of Mt. St. Helene's on the way and Mt. Hood on the return.
They both have a fresh coat of snow on their peaks.  

Mt. St. Helen's.....



           Mt. Hood......





            

      After sleeping in a bit this morning, I spent 2 hours at the hair salon "freshening up" my hair and getting a new coat of polish on my nails.  Then it was back to home for some lunch before heading out to enjoy the sunshine and warmth for 45 minutes.  It is also a training program to develop enough strength and endurance to join with the senior hiking group that go for hikes every Tuesday.  I will be happy to take part in the easy hikes of 4 miles and slight elevation.  Still have some "training" to engage in.  

        The main focus these days is finalizing a family get together trip to Grand Canyon via LasVegas.  
There will be 5 groups coming and leaving at different times and days, but there should be 2 full days of everyone together at the same place.  Yeah!  The government can't keep the National Parks closed for too long.  

        I am closer to getting advertising postcards printed.  Soon I shall scour the area with advertising for Grandma G's piano studio.  Yeah, again!!

        I have an achy upper right molar.  I've already invested lots of money and a gnarly procedure to save it.  Don't know what is going to happen.  The tooth in front of it is fine after a root canal "redo" a few weeks ago.  Still have a goal of keeping my teeth all my life.  Don't know....Don't know....Can't have a bothersome tooth at the Grand Canyon.  
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        Thursday was a stay at home day after water aerobics.  I hadn't been there for several times because of a virus and then headache.  Sure felt good to exercise in the moderately cool water and then soak in the hot tub.  Later in the day I did the series of stretches that keep me somewhat flexible.  Those had been neglected for awhile also.  One of the reasons for moving to the PNW was to have better opportunity to strengthen my body.  Guess I should be working at that.  GO, Grandma G, GO!

       The remainder of the day past quickly with the continued effort to bring insurances, legal forms, bills, coupons, etc. up to date.  My mind gets very ADD when trying to sort this all out.  Doesn't hurt, either, to look into upcoming Senior trips to take part in.   There has to be some advantage to being semi-retired.

 "Whatcha, think, Ma, them Feds gonna let us into that there Grand Canyon?"  
"Don't know, Daughter, we'll just say we're alookin for a big hole but we can't find it and they'll point it out to us." 
"You're SO smart, Ma, wish I was like you."
"Some day, Daughter, Some day."

 "Bet they ain't takin us youngins along....."
        "Nope, they ain't."
 "Hope they never find that there big hole."











       This has been a good 2 "sunshine returns" days in the life of Grandma G.

       "The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.  Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high."  (Psalm 113: 4 & 5)

Autumn has moved in..... Post views 8099

                 Something is not working on the sidebar so I will show post views with the title.                                                                          
       Autumn has moved in here in the PNW.   With rain all morning on Tuesday and "sun breaks" in the afternoon.  

 
How rains move across the sky.  To the left it is all black;to the right it is all blue. 





      I met up with an insurance lady to buy insurance for my new (used) SUV.. She is from Indianapolis and her name is Katie.  My sister in Indianapolis is named Kate.  After about an hour of chatting and doing business I had everything settled and told Katie I hoped we could meet up socially and get to be friends.  She actually does not live far from me; she said she drives by the park on her way home.  I love little "connecting links" like this one where two unrelated situations have  "in common"  details.  

 I picked up grandson, Zach, to come over to help me for a few hours.  He also wanted to start learning piano.  He is an avid music lover, especially blues and rap.  We did a brief lesson.  It is a start.  
     Then it was on to "helping Grandma" and a bit of just hanging out.  He tackled a huge mess of boxes, cardboard, and dried up plants in the garage.  All the while having his blues music going.  After finding fall decorations that came from Wisconsin for me, he helped me put some up.  

                                       
         By early evening Grandma G had enough cleaning out for the day and invited Zach to go have pizza somewhere.  Had to decide whether to drive "old" car or "new" SUV now that insurance and license plates were taken care of and for a few days I would be a 2 vehicle owner.  I decided on the familiar (old car) since dark was setting in and I might drive on unfamiliar streets.  I did tell Zach I need to name the SUV; thought maybe "Ted" since that is who I bought it from.  
        Zach picked out a "wood fired" pizza place, "The Rock" and so off we went.  Onto one unfamiliar street.  The pizza was tasty with the crust a very nice texture.


 












   
                           wood for the wood fired oven

                                           Zach, Grandma G and friendly waiter.....
                                              With wood fired oven in background
      It was a great afternoon, having Zach with me for company and help.  And a fun way to spend the evening.  

                                               Grandma G's "after dark" autumn look. 
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          Wednesday was a quickly passing day without much getting done--at least that is the way it seems.  I think I am reflecting our federal government---shut down, no budget, can't agree on health care, laid off with no pay, "getting exasperated", wanting to raise my debt ceiling, refusing to negotiate with myself., close down the park.   Whoa, I think I will just let the federal government deal with that----I went for a walk---until the rain returned.  
        Speaking of parks, the "feds" have 3 weeks to re-open Grand Canyon or they will have to deal with the wrath of Grandma G.  All my family is gathering there for a few days in late October.  Actually it's a bit ridiculous to say they closed the National Parks.  Don't they belong to US---the people? (not the US government?)  

       I did a lot of computer research, went walking for 40 minutes, made some phone inquiries, so the day wasn't completely federal.  (Did I say that politically correct?)

      This has been a good 2 "autumn has moved in" days in the life of Grandma G.

      "Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness.  He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains as before."  (Joel 2:23)