.: June 2009

Ruby Tuesday... and ... Gifts of Nature...

Ruby Tuesday is hosted by Mary, The Teach

I want this to be my next home!
(just one step closer to Heaven!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I got a gift from God yesterday! By next week I may decide it wasn't MUCH of a gift... that remains to be seen! But yesterday it was definitely a gift! I wish I had had more time to PLAY with it! I was on my way out to Bible Study when I suddenly noticed it! Of course I grabbed my camera, and about the same time I noticed it, Jewl noticed it! So I got nervous that her incessant barking would scare it away. These really aren't the quality pics I would have LIKED to have gotten! They are taken through my front window. But I got what I could - and these are the BEST of the 30 or so I shot quickly! You know... I DO live in the country -- this should be a familiar sight to me - but honestly - we have an 80 pound Black Lab -- this is the FIRST one I've EVER seen! It was sO exciting!

Isn't she CUTE???
(it's definitely a she!)

Ohhhh! Is this for ME???
(well, sure - why not... the squirrels think it's theirs too!)

Mmmm munch munch munch... munch munch munch...

Huh??? Whatdya mean I got seed on my nose?

Sadly, I HAD to leave for Bible Study! I know I don't really WANT this gal coming back... and I doubt she will... but one never knows... I hear they CAN be pretty insistant! I just hope she doesn't find my trash can garden! I can handle her eating bird seed and the peanuts I throw out for the squirrels... but she BEST stay OFF my deck! However... when I opened the door to leave, Jewl shot out like lightening -- and I didn't even know racoons could CLIMB trees, never mind how FAST they can climb them!!! That little girl scurried up that tree - you'd of thought she was a giant squirrel! I wish I'd video taped it! Hind sight... But I have a feeling Jewl let her know that this was NOT her territory!

Labels: Ruby Tuesday

Raw Talent....

Luz has a new trick!

(and not even 5 years old yet!)
LOL!

Actually she was FULL of tricks today! She was like Felix the Cat -- a whole BAG of tricks! She is starting to learn to swim. We went to her pool - even though it was only about 70 degrees with a very cool breeze blowing! Needless to say, Mommy nor Nana got IN the pool -- but Luz did! And I watched for about an hour or so as she showed me every new fangled thing she's learned 17 times or so each! Of course, had it been HOT out, I would have watched 60 times each - and taught her a few more! But that wasn't happening today! We left the pool and went to the park instead! It was a beauuuuuuuuuutiful day for the park!!! Then I stayed and had dinner with them, and got to read Luz her bedtime story. AND I got to see her blow bubbles with her bubble gum! It really IS the little things in life....

Produce Update... and stuff...

A Future Cucumber!

Lots of futures cukes!

3 Cherry tomatoes

And the BIG BOY plus a few more!
(see 'em at the top?)

Church was AWESOME again today! I was there for both services because I ushered the 8:00 service this morning. We had a visiting Pastor -- but he continued the Prayers God Will Answer YES To series! And he was gooooooood! So... the prayer of the day today? Lord, make me your instrument! YES!!! He WILL always answer YES to that one!!! I LOVE it! And using the story about The Frog Prince, this Pastor assured us that the MORAL of that story is that it is the Church's duty to be frog kissers! WE are to share the love of Christ with allllllllll the frogs - and even the toads - of the world! Give 'em all a kiss and let the Holy Spirit turn 'em into what God intended them to be!!! But we should also not forget that WE all start out as frogs! Born of sin, stained by Satan... but saved by Christ's blood - and transformed - from a frog into one of God's beloved Prince or Princesses! Of course, his sermon was much longer than that - and I hung on every word - but this is the readers digest version!

The children's message was great today too! Shawn brought in a trumpet. She removed it from the case and the kids identified it. Then she said that insturments make MUSIC - and that MUSIC can be calming (like David playing the harp for King Saul) or it can be JOYFUL (like Miriam playing the tambourine when they were lead out of Egypt!) or music could be POWERFUL (like in the horns at Jericho - when the walls came tumbling down!). Then she told them she doesn't know how to play the trumpet -- but her friend does. But God has gifted her with other talents - and us too - and that He wants US to be HIS instruments! But she asked the children, what would happen if this trumpet was put back in it's case and just left to sit in the corner for a long long time. Of course the kids (being the smarty pants that they are) said that it would collect DUST - and maybe even some COBwebs! And that was right! And if we don't ask God to make us His instrument, we might as well just be sittin' in the corner collecting dust too! We have to say YES! Make ME your instrument Lord! Use ME!!! And He will! You can count on it! I LOVE that!!!

So, now I'm going over to Amanda's house to play in the pool, and hopefully was the DUST off myself! But before I go, I just wanna give you something....

KISS!

hehehehehehhehe...
Use ME, Lord... use ME!

HIGH Adventure!

Y'all know that too many boring days in a row is NOT good for a Melli... right? So yesterday Mom & I took off to find a little HIGH adventure! I've been wanting to go out to the airport and shoot some planes for awhile. I actually tried going to BWI one day - but there is NOWHERE to get close to a plane at that airport unless you have a TICKET -- and that puts you a little too close for good photography! So, I bit the bullet and we headed down to the formerly known as Washington National Airport - before it was dedicated to Ronald Reagan. (I never quite "got" that ... Yes! He was our president! ... but he didn't HAIL from Washington, DC.... why didn't they name Los Angeles Airport after him??? Ya know?) Oh well! It's his anyway! And we went there! Actually we went to Gravelly Park -- which sits at the end of one of the runways! It's a great place to watch planes! LOOK! (you can BIG any of these shots)

Here's one coming in now!

And another!
(If you look, you can tell they are all coming IN
because they're landing gear is down)

This runway does have planes taking off AND landing... but the ones taking off leave going the same direction as the ones coming in. And let me tell you something... MORE than once yesterday I thought I might get some EXCITING shots! TWICE I saw one plane touchdown while one taking off was actually still ON the runway! Talk about cutting it close!!! Scary!

This one is almost to the runway
(with nobody in sight!)

This United plane was taxiing out... just gettin ready to turn.

For this shot I was laying on top of a picnic table waiting...
I was not zoomed out AT ALL! If I had been I wouldn't have
been able to fit the whole plane in... that's how close
it was to me!

It really did AMAZE me how low they are when they
get to this park!

That's just a little Bradford Pear tree this one is overtop of!

These are big pines - but still - that's MIGHTY close!!!

BIG this one and look at the proximity to those goal posts!
I think he scored 3 points!
Do you want YOUR kids playin' soccer or football on this field?

When we first got there, you can see in most of these shots how hazy the sky was. But the Ducks were out! It wasn't long before I decided that I just might want to ride on one of them! But I didn't know where to catch one. I was wishing I had a duck call! I asked a few people in the parking lot as we were leaving... and one guy said he "thought" they went out of Union Station. Pft! I have NO idea how to get to Union Station. I do know it's in the MIDDLE of the city. The city that I get lost in everytime I enter it! But I really wanted to ride a Duck! Soooooo I decided to go look for it and as God would have it, apparently HE wanted me to ride a Duck too! At first I saw a bus - a tour bus - and it said Union Station on it, so I thought I would follow it. But it kept stopping and I knew if I kept following I was going to get honked off the planet! So I pulled around him and LO & BEHOLD 2 cars in front of me was a DUCK! *whew* So I was positive that if I followed the Duck I would get to where I wanted to be! And I prayed I was catching him at the END of his run and that I wasn't going to have to drive my car into the Potomac River in order to keep up with him. As God would have it, he safely delivered me straight to Union Station in just a matter of minutes! (Thank you God! And thank you Mr. Duck driver!) So we parked in the Union Station garage, found our way to Duck tickets, and purchased 2 for the next Duck out! We had time to eat some lunch and explore the station a bit, but not much! So, then I just sat back and be'd a tourist for the next 90 minutes! It was good ... not great. It was very expensive, and it doesn't STOP anywhere - so had I been a real tourist who didn't already have 700 pictures of the Washington Monument and 40-11 shots of the Capital and the Lincoln Memorial, I might have been disappointed. But since I'm not really a tourist, I was having a great time! Mom was too! The little old man who was driving our Duck - and who WAS very personable and also very knowledgeable, was likewise moderately entertaining in a very corny way --- Mom LOVED him! She giggled and laughed! But I wish you could have seen her face when I warned her that he was gonna drive that vehicle right out into the river!!! I SHOULD have had my camera on her! But then, she's so funny -- she just accepts things! She's terrified of water and she doesn't know how to swim -- but if that man is driving this bus INTO the water - they must have built a street in the river for it to drive on! Makes perfect sense! And now that we were out in the water, the vehicle was going slow enough with only a few wakey bounces from time to time that photography was actually an option again! I waited until we got back over to the airport! I was all about planes!

So I got this one from the Duck...
you can see the water under it.

And this one - with BLUE skies!

But the funniest one of the day came right at the end.
The Duck was leaving the water, and another plane was
coming in. I leaned out and snapped it and didn't even
SEE the sign until I got home and looked at them on
the computer!

Turn around Buddy!
You're goin' the WRONG WAY!!!

LOL!
What a great day!

FFF & FF55...

Susanne at Living to Tell the Story hosts Friday Fave Five in which we share our five favorite things from the past week. If you would like to play along just post your 5, link back to Susanne and visit her to see who else is playin'!

If I continue to play Friday's Fave Five, I'm really going to have to quit blogging the rest of the week! It seems I have a tendency to actually SHARE the best moments of my life on a daily basis on this blog! This is a dilemma I guess... Well... let me see what I can eek out of this really incredibly boring week I've had!

1. I finally finished reading Same Kind of Different as Me. What a fabulous story! Everyone and his brother told me I needed to read it and I had such a HARD time getting into it, but once I did -- WOW! I would love to be able to make THAT kind of difference in someone's life! Just amazing!

2. I had a surprise visit from my Mathew yesterday. I love it when my kids just show up without warning! Truly... it just feels right! Totally brightens my day! He just visited for an hour or so and then headed on his way - had some things to do in the county...

3. I know I DID already mention it this week -- but you know ... Sunday was Father's Day and we had CRABS! How can I NOT mention CRABS as being one of my favorite things of the week??? I can't. It simply bears repeating. That's all! Oh... and we had a dozen + a couple left over. Dennis came home and picked them Monday night and I made a hot crab DIP! YUMMMMM! It was sooo good!

4. Oh! Bible Study Monday night! I know... I know ... I always love Bible study. But I am REALLY enjoying this study on Judges - and I am learning SO much! And this past week I had a really bad time coming up with all the answers - which usually I don't have much trouble unless I have to relate it to something in my past! LOL! *rolls eyes*... Cuz then I have to try to remember my past! But I knew I was gonna LEARN at our discussion this week - because I sure didn't learn while I was reading and trying to answer those questions at home! And the group did a GREAT job of gettin' me back on track! THAT is what I LOVE about Bible study! So many minds coming together and sharing God's Word... and meaning.

5. While I was out shopping for VBS supplies, I found some copper model car paint! I have been trying to find some since back when I was re-doing my whole downstairs! Remember I wanted to paint my trunk? *blush* Oooops! Maybe I never shared that whole debacle! It was ONE of my projects that never got finished. Because I had found this really awesome copper spray paint that looked like hammered metal -- and I wanted all the bands on the trunk and all the metal work to have that look! So I sprayed it all... and then I started painting the trunk. Well... to try to paint the TRUNK around all that stuff was NOT working... so I ended up deciding I was just going to have to spray the whole trunk IT's color first and then find something else that I would be happy with to brush paint the bands and metal parts. But I still wanted copper. And I found some copper acrylic paint - but it was just too thin -- it would have taken me a dozen coats to get it right! NOT!!! So anyway... this week I finally found some paint that I think will DO the trick! I'm so excited! Once I have VBS pretty well squared away, I will start working on that!

Hey! I did it! :)
Now for the next bit....

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Friday Flash 55

Sponsored by G-man (Mr Knowitall).
The idea is you write a story in exactly 55 words.
Wanna give it a try?
Stop in at the G-man's!

Our local high school was having a dance. The PTA was to hire the band. They scouted around and came up with one that was perfect. The members were young but talented and they played a nice mix of music. But the principal said "NO". Too much? No. "Sadly", he explained, "we can't buy Contraband!"

Labels: Friday Fave 5, Friday Flash 55

Sepia Scenes... TP55... and boredom

Sepia Scenes

Sepia Scenes are hosted by Mary.

&

Thematic Photographic 55
hosted by Carmi
Today's Theme: Clouds

This one is actually only half-sepia...
The tree line is natural behind the silhouette.

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I know that it SOUNDS like I'm being awfully quite around here these days ... but honestly? I just don't have a THING to tell you! There is nothing going on around here, except for preparations for VBS, which at this stage is mostly shopping... I'm just a boring ol' Melli right now! Even Dr. John has quit saving me for last, because welllllllll.... I just don't deserve to BE saved for last anymore! I can't help it. *shrug* As Forest Gump would say... Boring is as boring does... I mean... I could show you pictures of Mom with her undies over top her shorts... but even I won't stoop THAT low! Or... I could show you pictures of my DEAD poison ivy! That's pretty exciting to me! Hey - Round Up Poison Ivy PLUS tough brush killer works GOOOOOD! And no -- I'm not resorting to advertising on my blog! I'm just telling you. Dennis is very verrrrrrrrry allergic to poison ivy and it has gotten out of control in our woods and was even invading our front yard tree! THAT was when I got serious! Yep! The minute he came in and said "Honey! YOU have to get rid of that vine growing up our tree! It's poison ivy and I'm not touchin' it!" Well DUH! I'm not touchin' it either! I bought the 2 gallon bottle of RoundUp spray -- and I sprayed that vine 3 times! And I sprayed the playground, and under the DECK and around the AC units. And then I went and bought two refill bottles! Poison ivy doesn't stand a CHANCE in MY neck o' da woods! LOL! Not only that -- but now I know how good it works I get this evil little attitude and I chant my mantra while I spray. DIE poison ivy! DIE!!! And then I let out an evil LAUGH!!! Muuuuuahhhahahahahaa! ... ... yea. Things are THAT boring around here! I'm not complaining though. We're not having any Major Disasters either...

Goofiness.... in shades of green...

It certainly IS coming right along!

This one is the flower that I THOUGHT was a yellow pepper.
I forgot about needing the flower first! So now it's the
flower -- and sOOn it will be a pepper! The ants LIKE it!

I just hope this guy doesn't find it!

Ruby Tuesday

Ruby Tuesday is hosted by Mary, The Teach

More wildlife in my yard...
boy these little suckers are hard to capture!
( I need a MUCH better camera for this!)

Labels: Ruby Tuesday

It was a GREAT day!

Yesterday was an awesome day for ME! I hope it was at least half as awesome for Dennis. All the kids were here -- ALL of them! Derek didn't have to work and his girlfriend came over, Mathew got OFF work, Krysti was home - albeit without her boyfriend who we were hoping to meet this weekend... but that will happen another day. And Amanda & Hector and Luz were here! Luz baked her daddy a cake for Father's Day, and Hector just had to bring it here to show and share! It was darling! And it was YUMMY too! But now I've ended up at the end of the day at the beginning of my post... we must go back!

The day started, of course, with church! Oh church was FABULOUS!!! We women & children sang a special song (Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet) to the fathers today, and one of the little girls read a poem that SHE wrote in honor of fathers - and it was verrrrrry good, and then her mom read another wee short "story" about fathers - that was inbetween verses of our song. It was wonderful! Annnnnnnnnnnd... Pastor started a new sermon series for the next 10 weeks -- Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To. Of course, I know "Thy will be done" will be one of them - but I'm very curious as to what the other nine are!!! Well, today he started with "God, show me that you exist." And of course I knew that one -- but I wasn't remembering it! His sermon was wonderful though, pointing out that if your heart is sincere, and you really want to know, the prayer is as simple as that! Lord, I think you are out there... but I'm really not sure... Please, just show me that you exist! He will find a way to let you know! Of course, the key to that is that the heart must be sincere. And Pastor didn't mention it ... but I also know... it can't be a test. It can't be "Well, if you're REALLY out there, then do _fill in the blank_". We must never test God! He will ignore a test for centuries! He does test US though! But that's another sermon! LOL! It must be a sincere desire to simply know that He exists. No strings attached. Anyway... it was a great sermon -- and right on time for me today! I had the opportunity to share it before the day was done - and I hope my listener uses it one day! At least he listened today.

After church I came home and cleaned up just a bit, and then went out and got the crabs. By the time I got back everyone was here except Amanda & hers. We started in on the crabs and when Amanda & Hector showed up, they went down and grilled the brats, and we put out all the other food. Poor Amanda... she brought a big fruit tray and a vegetable tray - and I don't think anybody ate hardly ANY of it... most of the brats did get eaten though!

Jen wanted to see videos of Derek when he was little. Derek has been verrrrrrry stingy with his baby pictures and such - he's just pretty shy about that kind of stuff. But he and Jen have been dating for awhile now, and she really wanted to see some! So Krysti got some old home movies out, and we sat down to watch and just laughed ourselves silly! My kids were really goofy, and some of the styles of clothes we were wearing and things! Ahhh it was just FUN! Once she'd had enough, Jen & Derek left to go swim in her pool. Hector & Luz sat down to watch Aristocats together, Amanda & I went back to pickin' more crabs, and Dennis & Mathew went down to the garage to play a game! Mom wandered between...

It was just a great day! A blessed day! I thank God for this day!!!
(and amazingly... I didn't really take any pictures!)

Summer Stock Sunday ... Happy Father's Day!

Summer Stock Sunday #3
hosted by Robin at Around The Island

NOTHING... I mean NOTHING speaks summer
like these...

This is what we will be doing today...
in honor of him ...

Happy Father's Day Honey!!!

May our Heavenly Father bless ALL you men out there who are fathers,
grandfathers, great-grandfathers, step-fathers, and soon-to-be fathers!
It's all about YOU today!

Labels: Summer Stock

Saturday 9...

I don't officially PLAY this game... Thom plays it and I steal it from him! But I don't really play it!

1. Do you like James Bond films? If yes, what’s your favorite? I LOVE James Bond movies! As a matter of fact, even since I quit watching television and movies, a new JB flick will get me... if not to the theater, then at least in front of the television! My favorites are the ones with Sean Connery... and my absolute favorite is probably Never Say Never Again - only because Mr. Connery just got better and better as he "matured" -- and that was the last one he made!

2. Are you daring enough to go snorkeling in the water fountain at the mall? Let's ask my Blogging Babes that question... ummm... they said YES!

3. Do you sometimes hate everything and everyone around you? On a very rare occasion I have a day ... or two... where I absolutely hate mySELF, and I take it out on everyone else! Sometimes I even THINK I hate everyone around me before I realize that I'm the one I'm really PO'd at! This usually happens when God is asking me to do something I don't want to do and I am being stubborn as all get out about it, and He and I just have to BUMP heads for a while until I come to my senses!

4. Do you secretly or openly believe the world revolves around you? I do NOT secretly OR openly believe it... but I sure do like to PRETEND it does sometimes! Well... I am MELLI after all!!!

5. Would you rather buy a moped or a Harley Davidson? Hahahahahahahahhahahahha!!!! Like Dennis would ever allow any thing BUT a Harley to reside in his garage!!! I actually would LOVE to have my own Harley... once upon a time I thought that might could happen. And then life went haywire.

6. Do you water ski or ice ski? Oh dear... oh dear! You know, I DID snow ski ONE time... it was ugly. Just plain flat out UGLY! And I was much younger and thinner back then.... I never have water ski'd ... and I think it's really too late to start now! I DO love to JET ski though!

7. Tell us about the last time that you tailgated. I'm trying really hard to remember - but I don't believe I have EVER tailgated. I've only been to a few football games (other than high school) and we never tailgated at the baseball games... I don't think I have!

8. What was the last concert that you attended? Dierks Bentley... and it's been TOO long! That was a year ago the end of May.

9. What’s the most exotic food that you’ve eaten? Exotic? Me??? I don't know... I try things. SOME things! I guess dried squid was probably the most exotic ... I don't know... I thought it was gross! But I don't like calamari either so it's probably just octopus and squid that I don't like. I don't eat sushi. I WOULD try escargot - but thankfully I've never had the opportunity! I did try caviar once -- and oh YUK! Pure salt! Just like eating salt by the tablespoon full! UCK!

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Today I'm going to be busy getting ready for tomorrow! Of course all the kids are coming for Father's Day, and we're doing crabs AND a bbq! I'll be around though in between stuff!

Friday Fave 5 & Friday Flash 55...

Brought to you today by the letter F and the number 5...

Susanne at Living to Tell the Story hosts Friday Fave Five in which we share our five favorite things from the past week. If you would like to play along just post your 5, link back to Susanne and visit her to see who else is playin'!

FINALLY I'm remembering to DO this! YAY! I used to do Sunday Seven on a fairly regular basis... but then it just sort of faded out... I think this kind of meme is a really good thing because it does make us stop and think about the good things that have gone on in our life and give thanks for them!

1. My first and foremost favorite thing this week was definitely having my friend, John Fogleman, back with us at our Bible study Monday night. A few months ago we didn't know if he would EVER be back with us... we didn't even know if he would live. I have to honestly say that I always FELT he would... but I didn't know! Only God knew. We just prayed. And prayed and prayed! And God is sooo good - and even all John's doctors at John's Hopkins feel that this was a true miracle! If you recall, when I first asked for prayers, he only had a 2 or 3% chance of survival! Now he's alive, AWAKE, and getting stronger every single day! His voice is getting louder and stronger and his muscles are getting stronger! We have soooooo much to be thankful for! So, yes... getting him back to Bible study was a huuuuge cause for celebration! And thanks. And PRAISE!

2. A magnificent MONDAY spent with Amanda & Luz doing completely unexpected fun things! One of my favorite things is always finding something unexpected to photograph - and this bird got me quite excited! Look at those knobby knees!

Of course you can big him!

3. Tuesday at the Enchanted Forest brought so many favorite moments I can even begin to tell! Well... yes I can - but I already DID on Wednesday! LOL! But another favorite from that 2nd day in a row with my girls, was this little guy!

What'd ya say? I'm ALL ears!

4. Lightening bugs are out! Yes, I am almost 52 years old and I still LOVE lightenging bugs! I can't help myself! When I see those little lights flittering about at night, they just make me happy! WHO but GOD could have POSSIBLY thought to make a bug and give him a light up tail??? Every time one blinks, I feel like God is winking at me! You can't watch lightening bugs and NOT smile! Honestly, I think they are one of the greatest arguments EVER against primordial goo! These just "happened"? I don't THINK so! They were surely a stroke of GENIUS!

5. I solved a major dilemma I was having with one of the crafts for VBS next month! I've been a bit pre-occupied with this one craft... you know me - I always want everything perfect ... in MY eyes! It doesn't matter if something else would work just as well for the KIDS... nope - it has to make ME happy too! So as of now, I am happy with all the crafts I have for the younger kids.... and I just have to come up with something spectacular for the Middle Schoolers!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And here's another one I've never played before...

Friday Flash 55

Sponsored by G-man (Mr Knowitall).
The idea is you write a story in exactly 55 words.
Wanna give it a try?
Stop in at the G-man's!

The Melting Pot Family

Sam, I've got the family reunion all planned out! We
can have pasties for Paavo, stromboli for Serge, caber toss
for Kegan and Ennis, dance Koftos for Delta and Chloe.
All Dallas and Daisy need are horseshoes and chili!

Sarah, you can't please everyone ... give up!

Of course I can Sam! It's all relative ...

Labels: Friday Fave 5, Friday Flash 55

Sepia Scenes... A Tag... and stuff...

Sepia Scenes

Sepia Scenes are hosted by Mary.

I took this picture 10 days ago.
Due to our abundant rainfall, the corn in the picture now
completely hides this tractor from sight from the road!
I've never seen corn grow so fast in my life!

**********************

I have been tagged by Thom to participate in another photo meme. Thanks Thom! (mahalo maholo mahalo...) Here's how it works...

1) Go to your photo files…Select the 6th photo folder

2) Select the 6th photo in that folder

3) Post that photo along with the story behind it.

4) Then challenge 6 blog friends to do the same!

Here’s my 6th photo in my 6th file in my photo album...

No story here really. This is a little antique store over in the beach near me. I just thought there was a lot going on in and around this house - and you never know what you might need for a photo challenge ... so I took it! According to the date stamp it was March 13, 2007. I don't think I've ever used it. So ... now I have!

You know... I don't do the tag thing...
so, if you want to play it, feel free!
Let me know and I'll come visit!

****************

Yesterday was just a "chill day"... catchin' up a little bit after two days of play play play! I had to go out -- I love it when I DON'T have to -- but I did. I had to pick up prescriptions for Mom. They've quit giving us refills, so I guess this means I need to call and make an appointment for her to be seen. A year ago he told me that he doesn't need to see her anymore because he can't do anything for her. She is just going to steadily decline until either her mind or her body totally gives up and then she'll die. I guess now he just wants to make sure that hasn't happened yet before he gives her any more meds! LOL! The pharmacist called and got this months okayed - but once again, no refills. *sigh* I can play their silly little game... that's what I'm here for! ;)

Labels: Sepia Scenes

Of Castles and Fairy Tales...

***********

I am soooooooooo sorry that I lead you all to believe we were actually going to A castle! That was certainly not my intention! I meant to let you know we were going to a place WITH a castle -- and that Luz had spotted it! The place that we were going is actually called The Enchanted Forest... or rather it used to be! Now it is called the Elioak Farm & Petting Zoo featuring the Enchanted Forest! And it is a wOnderful place!!! I honestly was not sure if this was going to be something that we would spend 20 minutes at and be ready to go, or if it was someplace we might spend an hour or so playing. Well, it turned out we spent about 4-5 hours playing! It was awesome! However, the "castle" really isn't for playing in -- it's a little store and the entrance to the farm. This didn't bother Luz a bit! She came dressed in her Sleeping Beauty gown and Georgie came dressed in his ... Transformer costume... LOL! He was all ready to be her Prince Charming!

Our first stop was at the home of The 3 Bears. You can see there is a great BIG section for Papa Bear... A medium size section for Mama Bear... and a weeeeee little section for Baby Bear.... You can not actually go inside most of these little buildings... but you CAN peek in through the windows and the doors!

The princess & her prince were gettin' kinda cozy here!
And what did they see inside?

Why, Goldilocks - sitting in Baby Bears bed!!!
(it doesn't look jussssst right to me!)
LOL!

Mind you... there was soooooooooooooooo much stuff at this place, that 2 four year olds almost found it impossible to actually stop and PLAY in any one spot! I was having a terrible time trying to get pictures of them because they just would NOT hold still for even a minute! Imagine that! Run, run, run, run, run! Kids are so amazing! So next they RAN to the wishing well, where Jack & Jill went up the hill...

And Princess Luz had to try to fetch a pail of water!
Fortunately no crowns were broken during this incident!

They then ZIPPED past Hey Diddle Diddle where everything's
blurry cuz the dish ran away with the spoon!

Luz is very anxious about starting kindergarten in August...
but the ol' school Marm wouldn't let her in!

I'm not even sure of the Merry Miller story... so all I can tell
ya is the kids found it fascinating - for 3 seconds!

THIS however, I do believe was Georgie's favorite thing of
the day! Little Toot! He loved this little boat! I do believe
he would have played there ALL day if we would let him!

We did drag them away though to go eat our picnic lunch...
... and after lunch...

The Princess got to ride a pony without Nana
(or even Mama) going around with her!

And then Prince Charming came riding in on his trusty steed!

Next up was a hay wagon ride. This was really fun! Oh? Does it look nearly empty to you? I should mention that the day was rather cloudy - we had the entire park practically to ourselves! We only saw about 5 or 6 other families the whole day! And it never rained. It was sooooo perfect!

This is Danielle - Georgie's Mom - and his baby sister Lily!
She enjoyed the hayride too! As a matter of fact, little Lily
enjoyed the whole day! She is very happy!

Now, if you notice the tree to the right - it has a face on it.
That would be because the hayride goes through the ENCHANTED
Forest, of course! The children are told to keep an eye out for
the faces -- there are 20 of them they should find!
They LOVED this!

After they hayride we headed over to the petting zoo.

Luz just loved these little pigs! One was named
Wilbur... and the other Charlotte! I'm not sure
what happened to the spider!

Luz feeding a goat.

When they say "Petting Zoo" Georgie takes it very seriously!
He was gonna pet that cow one way or another!

And the horse too! He was afraid of NOTHING!
(including getting lost... LOL!)
(no... he didn't get lost ... but he ran SO far ahead... he could have!)

Mother Goose & the Easter Bunny's house were over
in the petting farm...

As were the 3 Little Pigs homes!
(well where else would they be???)

And in one of the picnic areas was this milking cow
to practice on! Are they intently trying to figure this
out, or what?

Our next stop was the Pine Forest Maze... This was pretty cool. You can buy these coloring book/maps when you buy your entrance ticket (only $4.50/per by the way) and you don't HAVE to have them, but it does help just to know if you've seen everything or not! Anyway - they have actually planted this forrest just for the maze - and then have hidden things back in it. There was the Hickory Dickory clock... and Little Boy Blue... about 15 or 20 things I guess... and as you traveled the maze you should find them all!

Well, Mom & Danielle both found the Swan to be
a good place to rest!

Hansel & Gretal found the Gingerbread Cottage!
( I hope they can find their way back home!)

And they managed to find the WOLF in grandma's nightgown
at Red Riding Hood's place!

Oh they had a goooood time in that maze!
It really was fun!

As we got ready to leave, it was one more stop at the
Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe. Her place is a slide!

We then stopped for an ice cream, and headed home!
WHAT A DAY!!!
I am sO glad I found this place!!!

Now, I know I've been neglecting you all the last few days... I've just been sO busy with family! But I'm home today and coming around to get caught up on what YOU've been up to!
See ya in a little while! (when I wake up! I'm exhausted!)

Labels: Grandbaby

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Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Ruby Tuesday... and ... Gifts of Nature...

Monday, June 29, 2009

Raw Talent....

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Produce Update... and stuff...

Saturday, June 27, 2009

HIGH Adventure!

Friday, June 26, 2009

FFF & FF55...

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Sepia Scenes... TP55... and boredom

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Goofiness.... in shades of green...

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Ruby Tuesday

Monday, June 22, 2009

It was a GREAT day!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Summer Stock Sunday ... Happy Father's Day!

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Saturday 9...

Friday, June 19, 2009

Friday Fave 5 & Friday Flash 55...

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Sepia Scenes... A Tag... and stuff...

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Of Castles and Fairy Tales...