Thursday, July 31, 2008

Family








Most of all of my childhood memories include hugging, kissing and expressing affection for one another. Greetings always included hugs and kisses and expressions of how much we loved one another or had missed one another. I was shown love as a child and it was expressed well to me. I understood from an early age what it was supposed to look like and feel like. I was taught to love EVERYONE, regardless of color, religion or status. Prejudice was not a word I knew of for it was never displayed in the family I grew up in. It was all about love and family. As I have spent 18 days here now, I have had such joy in being together again with my sister and her husband and my neice and her family. When my neice Meredith was a little girl and we were out in public, everyone thought she was my child. She always looked more like me than her mother as she was blonde and she acted more like me too! She loved nature, was messy like her Aunt Barb and definitely had her own opinion about things even as a child. She was a little character from the time she was young and I loved everything about her. She has grown into a beautiful young woman whom I am extremely proud of. She has a gorgeous family with 5 adorable children. It thrills my heart to see another generation of children being taught to simply "love" and show love and kindness one to another. I adore her children and they have been such a blessing to me in my time here. They've helped me get over the difficult heartache of missing my own grandchildren and have taken me right in and loved me too! Yesterday when we were at their house, Grandma (my sister) told them that Aunt Barb was going to have to go home in 5 more days. Taz made a sad face and put his head down into his arms....Gabrielle, who is 3 said, "But Mommy, I thought we were going to get to keep her!" I started to cry it touched my heart so much. She said it so sincerely and sadly as though her little heart hurt that I would have to go. I'm posting a few pictures of Meredith, Pat and myself as well as a some of "the girls".
Soon it will be time for me to go back home and I cannot wait to see my own adorable grandchildren. I am tremendously blessed to have Charlie, Bradlie, Natalie, Lindsey, Amber, Madison, Butch, Karli, Easton and Titus in my life and I can't wait to see them again. They are my heart and make life so wonderful, exciting, fun and worth living for. They light up my life.
Life has been great here. Waking up in the morning to this view out front off the deck, the amazing temps of low 50's in the a.m. and this beautiful place has been "to die for." But soon, it will be time for me to head home and I can't wait to see all of you. Thank you God for my family whom I love with all my heart and I know loves me too. Family is what it's all about in life. Praise you Lord for blessing me like you have and giving me the amazing family I love so much. I can't wait to see you ALL!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

This ISN'T Kansas Toto!







I've lived 55 years without experiencing the priviledge of dining at a 5 star restaurant. Now, some of you may say....well, so what, big deal! You may feel that Woody's and Pier 6 are fine, along with an occasional Tree Steak House dinner and you're good to go. Well, you're right, it definitely is. But tonight, for the first time in my life, I was treated to an elegant dinner at a restaurant in Healdsburg that was absolutely amazing! Japanese beef, Thai marinated lobster with avacado, rack of dover sole with sweet corn, cheeses from around the world and desserts to die for! And that only scratches the surface! I've never eaten so much in my life. Five courses, if I remember correctly, and in between each one we "cleansed" our palate with sorbets and other things I can't remember! After dessert was finished....then they brought out trays of chocolates, tiny cookies, toffee crunch etc and filled a plate for the table. THEN we each were given a beautiful white and gold box with a wrapped brownie inside, as well as a copy of the "Chef's Tasting Menu" JUST for US! I felt like a queen and it would have taken a kings ransom to pay the bill! My brother-in-law treated myself, Pat, Meredith (their daughter) and her husband Rich. Rich's 40th birthday was yesterday and my sisters is Tuesday so it was a birthday celebration for them both. What a wonderful time we had. I closed my eyes at the table as I was tasting yet another course in the meal and did everything I could to "savor" not just the food, but the moment I was in the middle of. Life is made up of many glorious moments and many tough moments. I was honored to have been invited to enjoy one of those glorious moments and I was trying to capture everything about that moment I could. How thankful I felt that I had such divine food to eat, a family who loves me so much and a brother-in-law willing to shell out a mortage payment worth of food on just one dinner just because he loves all of us so much! I'm blessed beyond measure and thank God for the memory I'll cherish always of this special night. I probably won't ever be able to eat at a 5 star restaurant again, but that's ok. I made memories to last forever tonight and I'll cherish them always. Thank you Lord for all you have so graciously and abundantly blessed me with. Let us all be thankful for the blessings we have been given.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Here's to you Grandma!










When I was a child, my grandmother lived with us. My mother worked and thus wasn't there for us most of the time, but Grandma always was. I learned at a very early age that Grandma could do anything AND would do anything for me. She taught me my first lessons about cooking etc, she taught me how to iron (I remember her allowing me to iron handerchiefs and sheets...that's all she trusted me with), she helped teach me manners, she would slip me 50 cents when no one was looking, she took up for me and defended me when need be, she talked to me and listened although the world revolved around what I was saying, she was patient with me, she was the best snuggler EVER (there was nothing in this world like being cradled to her chest), and she loved me dearly and deeply. She did many things for me that my mother couldn't or didn't have time for. When I was just a child, she was already teaching me about how to be a good Grandmother. While I'm far away from my own grandchildren and missing them terribly, my great-neices and nephews are allowing me to hug, kiss and play with them. You can see by the picture how adorable they are and they've weaved their way easily into my heart. They have actually helped ease the pain of missing my own precious grandchildren while I have been here. Thanks Grandma for teaching me such wonderful Yaya skills. I believe that my sisters and I are the good Grandmas we are because we had such a good teacher so many years ago. So, here's to you Grandma...thanks for all you taught me and thanks for all the memories. I miss you and hope that you'd approve of my Yaya skills.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Cowboys 'n' Indians AND Jewelry




More than 45 years ago, you would have NEVER found me indoors playing with dolls, putting on fancy pretty clothes or smearing my mother's makeup all over my face. That just wasn't my style. I hung with the boys. They were much more fun than the girls and I liked their style of games much better. Who wants to sit in the house and play Barbie dolls when there's a world of "fun stuff" waiting for you OUTSIDE?! I lived and breathed to be outside, playing with the boys. One of my favorite games was Cowboys 'n' Indians! I'll never forget the Christmas when I was about 7 or so that ALL I wanted for Christmas was a gun and holster set and cowboy boots and I didn't get them! I was crushed! I wanted to wear all that cool stuff like the boys did and not be such a sissy. Since I couldn't wear all that stuff, I decided young I'd just have to show the boys how tough I was. And I did. When I ponder those days SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO long ago and I think of the fun I had being such a tomboy, who would have ever thought that today I would have been able to pull off interweaving my continued LOVE for the outdoors, my childish playful immature ways AND jewelry??? Somehow it works for me and it makes "Barb" or "Yaya" who I am. The kid in me continues to love to play outdoors with the grandkids, explore the vast unknown when possible, (like my trek to CA 10 years ago when I was about 11,000 ft elevation in the White MOuntains with only 1 other person and was in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE and I was tempted to climb down into an old abandoned mine!!!). I'm not quite sure even I understand who I am!!! But, I just am me, loving the outdoor grubby stuff as well as the glamour, jewelry, SHOES and outfits stuff! Having said ALL of that.....today, I took a wire wrapping jewelry class and it was a blast. I made a beautiful swarovski crystal bracelet and had a great time learning the correct way to wire wrap. Above is a picture of my sister and I showing off our hand made bracelets! Sooooooooo, here I am now, at 55 still loving the "cowboys 'n' indians fun play within myself as well as the jewelry making dress up side of me. It's taken me MANY MANY years to LOVE me and I do. IF you only knew how refreshing it is for me to be able to say "I love myself." For many years, I did not, but I do now. It's been a process that God has walked me through, slowly but surely. I've learned to love all the weirdness about myself and my quirkiness as well as my normalness. (Although I don't think there's anything normal about me at all!!) So, I close by saying.............YEEEEEHAW......GIDDYUP and come make some gorgeous jewelry with me sometime! Ya'll come back now, ya hear and don't forget to love "you" and who God made "you" to be. You're not me....you're "you." God made you just that way, so relax and enjoy who you are! See ya later, I'm going outside to play with my great neices and nephews!!

The Same "Son"



Another wonderful day here. Hot today, in the 90's but has cooled down to about the high 60's at night. Nice relaxing day, filled with canasta (my new favorite card game), grocery shopping, and errands. Then this evening we were invited to to have dinner with some of Pat & Bob's friends up the street and spend some time in their hot tub. It was grrrrrrrrrrrreat! Man, Darrel would LOVE one of these things! Anyway, it was a nice evening and we enjoyed it tremendously.
Every morning I've woke up within minutes of the same time...6:15 or so. As I grab my bible and tiptoe out to the kitchen and out onto the deck, this is the gorgeous view I have. This morning as I sat and watched the sun come up over the mountain, once again I thought of how "the same Son" of God moves and breathes over this entire earth. When I am in deep dark despair, when I'm having a mountaintop experience, when I'm overcome with joy and laughter, when I'm feeling scared or lonely, even when I'm totally oblivious to His presence and I'm dropping cookie crumbs all over my lap, "the same Son" of God inhabits this entire universe! When you really take time to sit and think about that, in a quiet uninterrupted way, you will become overcome with gladness and thanksgiving. Even this morning as I sat alone on the deck watching the "Son" come up, I once again gave thanks to the God who created it all, lifted my praise and my prayers to Him and trembled over His goodness to me and my family. When my brother-in-law got up, I was still feeling the after effects of a sweet time with the Lord and I expressed to him how good God had been to him and that our thought for the day should be "life is good." Sometimes, just one positive thought first thing in the morning, one prayer, one praise to God for His goodness, can set the tone for your entire day. Here, life is uncluttered, relaxed and physically so beautiful and I suppose "easy" to say "life is good" all the time, for the most part. I pray that when reality sets back in and I land back in Jacksonville my attitude of thanksgiving will continue on as I remember just how blessed I am, coming and going. Whether in California or Florida, "the same Son" moves amongst us, waiting for us to give Him glory, honor and praise. Whether I'm sitting and eating cookies and making a mess or whether I'm going through a dark time in my life...thank you God for your Son who is with us every moment of every single day. I love you all and I LOVE YOU JESUS!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

The Same Spirit





A wonderful quiet day today....helped with some garden work and enjoyed the morning outside. I am drawn to what is out back behind my sisters home and you would be too if you were here. She and Bob have created the most amazing little garden path that weaves its' way up and up a wonderful pathway to the top of the yard. Their yard backs up to Ana Dale Park and is very hilly. The pathway bends and curves as it winds upward and is outlined with rocks. All along the way there are the sweetest little statues, things hanging from the trees, sitting places, figurines in the grass etc. They worked on it with their grandchildren in mind and have made it a most wonderful place. At the top of the hill, there is a wonderful deck that overlooks everything below as well as the mountain in front of you! LOVELY! I'm posting some pictures of the journey up the pathway and some of the things you'll find along the way. It's just a fun place for the grandkids as well as a restful and beautiful place for the adults. We enjoyed some quiet moments on the deck just talking and enjoying the view.
Went to their county fair this evening. The best part about it was that their church praise band was playing for 3 hours! I couldn't wait to hear them to see what they were all about. I have only heard my sister talk about her church but have never been to it, so I was definitely excited to hear their music. WOW, talk about AMAZING!!!!! I'm posting a picture of them. I WAS MAJOR IMPRESSED with them as I listened and thought to myself....man, now THIS is a praise band! There were 3 guitarists, a drummer, a key board player, a bongo player, 2 female singers and 1 male lead. The younger pregnant woman used a tambourine at times, a shaker and some other sort of small shaking instrument that added greatly to the sound of their music. When they began to play, I felt "THE SAME SPIRIT" in them that I feel at RRC. Their music was more modern, less gospel, more contemporary, and so full of joy and the Spirit! I couldn't stay in my seat, nor could many others, but had to get up and clap and sing along with them. Most of the songs they sang I knew, although there were a few new ones that I loved. I browsed the crowd and I saw peoples of all colors and ages, young and old all were totally into the music and praised together. IT WAS AMAZING! I heard everything from Chris Tomlins version of Amazing Grace, to some Toby Mac and David Crowder Band, and "Blessed Be the Name of the Lord". I felt so blessed to be hearing godly music that lifts up the name of the Lord our God and know that my sister and brother-in-law have found a place to worship and be a part of. I can't wait till Sunday to hear them again and praise the Lord with the congregation.
Well, all for now. I love you all. Thank God that HIS SPIRIT dwells on this earth, from one corner to the other! HALLELUJAH TO THE LAMB OF GOD FOR HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED! I MISS YOU ALL!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Paradise on Earth Continued


As I write this and look out on the sun setting on the mountain outside the window, I truly feel like I'm living in paradise. Santa Rosa is such a beautiful place, with golden hills all around, sloping mountains that beckon you, temperatures to die for, gorgeous wine vineyards and some of the friendliest people you'll meet, right here. There is a never ending list of things to do and see, most all of which are outdoors, which is just what I like. You don't find many people sitting in front of their tv's here, there's just too much to enjoy outside, and that's where everyone is! It's wonderful. Sort of reminds me of my growing up days in Chicago when the children were all called in for dinner and then after dinner, everyone, including the parents, went outside. The parents would sit in their lawn chairs in the driveway (we didn't have porches) and sip glasses of ice tea and talk to one another and the children all played hide-n-go-seek. I loved those days. Here it is that way. Everyone is outside on their decks, or their walking, biking etc. It's so darn hot in Florida that people stay indoors to escape the heat. Not here and I LOVE that! Anyway, I'm thankful for the treat that it is to come to this lovely place, relax and enjoy my surroundings and my sister and brother-in-law. I'm blessed beyond what I deserve. Today was a layed back day. Errands this morning, Curves, a couple of games of ping-pong at the rec center, lunch out, then the pool, then home for dinner on the deck and a few games of cards. What a life, huh? I learned to play canasta tonight. I'm not too good at it, but I'm learning. I'm posting more pics of Yosemite and some of the other places we saw from this past weekend, as I just had SO many more good ones I didn't post. Hope you enjoy them. Thanks for your comment Deb! I giggled when I read you couldn't wait to see "where WE'RE going tomorrow!!" That was so cute! I enjoy reading your comments so much. I forgot to post the picture of the coyote that we saw but it's tough to see him in the picture. He was as big as a German Shepherd but didn't really pay my sister and I any attention. It was cool and another one of my animal sightings that I so adore! I'll put it up, but you'll have to click on the picture (it's the dark one) and enlarge it so you can see him. The picture that shows a huge meadow with two people walking (Pat & Bob) and the mountain in the distance is Tuolomne Meadow. That's where we took the hour or so hike and I took pictures of the butterfly and flower I posted yesterday. It was a gorgeous walk. The photo with the lazy creek in the foreground and the mountain in the distance is Tuolomne Meadow also. GORGEOUS! You'll also see one of one of the final views we had on the drive back down Tioga Pass of Half Dome and El Captain mountains together in the shot. It was breathtaking. You cannot fathom how huge these things are until you are there, but trust me, they're thousands of feet high and unreal! Also you'll see a shot of me at the pool today. It was a wonderful day for it and we enjoyed it tremendously. EVERY day is a good pool day here! Guess that's it for tonight. It's after midnight for all of you. Hope everyone is well. I miss everyone very much. You're all on my mind constantly, especially my grandchildren. I MISS them so much it makes my chest hurt and my eyes drip tears. Doesn't seem possible that I've been here 8 days already. We still have so much to do! Their county fair started yesterday and we're going tomorrow night. Their church worship band will be playing there and their church family will be there so I believe we're all going to be a part of that! I'm excited! It's gonna be hard to not jump up there and sing with them! I miss singing on our Praise Team and look forward to being back with all of you.
Lord bless you all...hugs and kisses to Charlie, Bradlie, Natalie, Lindsey, Amber, Madison, Butch, Karli, Easton and Titus. I MISS YOU ALL!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Still on a "YOSEMITE HIGH!"





















After 3 days in Yosemite, I feel as though I am still on a "GOD HIGH!" WOW, WOW, WOW and WOW! If you've ever been, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, you need to make it a priority in your life. It is truly more than amazing! The splendor and glory of an Almighty God is magnificent. Everywhere you look, you "see" God. I would gaze from one view to another, constantly marveling at a God whose hand could be so mighty, so skilled, so perfect, that He could do what I was witnessing with my eyes. From the tiniest flowers on the ground and the most beautiful butterflies, to the solid walls of granite that towered thousands of feet over my head....I marveled and was speechless. (I know that MOST of you would not be able to believe that I could EVER be speechless...but I was.) All I could do was stand and stare, cry, and sing praises to God. Several times I just had to break out singing, "How Great is Our God" as I walked and gazed at the beauty of it all. I found myself hearing my son singing, "Indescribable" in my ear and thinking that those words to that song were so true....INDESCRIBABLE was what I was seeing. El Captain, Half Dome, Bridal Veil Falls....How did HE do it all? One day, face to face, I shall ask Him. God is a genius!!!!! My first view of Bridal Veil Falls was just breathtaking. I just stopped on the pathway in, gazed ahead and started snapping pictures. I'm posting pictures but they don't appear to post in the order I put them in, so what I describe probably won't be in order. The first one though, is my sister and I as we stood at the beginning of the walkway that takes you into the park and Bridal Veil Falls. I was so excited I could hardly stand it and couldn't wait to get closer to the falls and WE DID! Of course, the two of us decided we'd climb the big boulders, along with a lot of other people, and try to get closer. Next you'll see some of those shots. Following, is a couple pictures of Cathedral Spires, that actually is 2 pictures. One is of the spires and the second would be the right half of the cathedral span. Next you'll see a couple shots of Half Dome as well as El Captain. We also took a drive into the Mariposa Grove, home of the giant Sequoias. They are massive trees. If I remember correctly, there are only 6 places that these giant sequoias grow. Pretty impressive. Next you'll see some shots of the the wildlife/flowers/insects that I was priviledged to see. First, let me give praise to God!!! I asked Him to let me see a bear. Ok, ok....I know some of you think, OH GOOD GRIEF BARB....but I can't help myself. It appears that until I die, I will be a nature freak. Nature fills my heart with such joy and I always feel God's presence and glory through the creatures He so beautifully created. I JUST LOVE IT. Soooooooooo, I asked Him to let me see a bear and He DID! We were driving through Yosemite, which consists of thousands of acres of land, and there he was, off the side of the road! The only decent shot I got, wasn't too good, but it's of the bear! If you look closely, you can see it appears he was lifting his foot and maybe licking his paw or eating something off of it. He'l in between the two trees on the right side of the photo. You'll also see some of the gorgeous deer that are everywhere, some of their strange looking squirrels, a beautiful butterfly and a lovely and delicate purple flower in Tuolumne Meadow. I was in hog heaven with the variety of animals and plant life that I saw. Next you'll see me standing in front of Tenaya Lake. It's got to be close to what heaven is going to look like. The water in this lake is incredibly clear and blue. WOW! NExt is some pictures of some of the sights we saw on the about 1 hour drive through Tioga Pass. Tioga Pass takes you up, up, and further up to an elevation of over 9,000 feet ABOVE Yosemite, where you can view Half Dome and Yosemite below. It's incredible! The first is of my brother-in-law, Bob, and I at one of the pull off places, called Olmstead Point, where these amazing shots were taken. That's Half Dome, way below in the distance!
Gosh, I suppose that's enough pictures for now as I've been working on this for quite some time now! Hope everyone enjoys the pictures. Let me hear from you! I miss you all so much but know that soon I will be home again and will be able to look upon your sweet faces.
On the way back from Yosemite today, we stopped at the Jelly Belly Factory. OF COURSE I had to buy a pound of my favorite jelly bellies....Buttered Popcorn, Chocolate Pudding, Dark Chocolate and Cotton Candy! YUM!
Tomorrow we'll go watch the girls in the ballet class again, then we're going to play ping-pong with Bob and maybe the pool later. Gee...it's hard work, but somebody's gotta do it!!
To all my RRC family...thank you for your prayers...don't stop. I love and miss you and wondered how our services went Sunday. I miss being a part of our services. They're the best on this earth.
Love to you all. Remember to be thankful for that which God has given you and be thankful for ALL that He has given us ALL in the beauty of this world. We are so blessed and oftentimes don't even see it. Godspeed until I see you again. Will post again tomorrow. Oh yeah, by the way, it's a GORGEOUS 72 degrees here! Eat your heart out!
KEEP IN TOUCH!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Me and "CUTIE"








Greetings from the beautiful state of California! When I say beeeeeutiful, I do mean beeeeeutiful! This area where my sister lives is paradise. The land is so beautiful and there are so many things to see and do you couldn't in a lifetime do them all! This morning, we are leaving for Yosemite and I can't wait!
Isn't "CUTIE" adorable!!!??? Alright, alright.....I DO realize that not ALL of you appreciate all of God's creatures on this earth, but I do! CUTIE is one of them. He belongs to my 5 year old great-nephew, Nico. He is so proud of his pet and of course, Aunt Barb had to give CUTIE some lovin! He is a Yellow Bearded Dragon and really is adorable, in a sense! Here's Nico with his prized CUTIE.
Next is a picture of my wonderful neice Meredith with her daughters Gabrielle and Kali. Aren't they adorable? This was taken right after their ballet class. They are precious. Here's Gabrielle doing her "plia" for me!
Next you'll see Taz, myself and Nico, just chillin out. They are the sweetest boys and I'm enjoying them so much.
Yesterday, Trish, Meredith and I had a girls day out. It was wonderful. We spent some time in Ross, buying shoes, of course, then had a wonderful lunch and headed to a gem fair. WOW, talk about a plethora of beads!!! It was great! Angel, you would have LOVED IT and I wish you could have been with to share in the fun! Then we headed into San Francisco. Here's a shot of the Golden Gate just as we were approaching it. The morning fog had not yet burned off and you can see it hanging in the air. Also a quick shot of the "Crookedest Street in the World." Walked around for a bit and then we had tickets to a hilarious show. Afterwards, we drove through China Town and thenn finished up the day at Cheesecake Factory. Got home around midnight after a great day.
This morning we are heading to Yosemite, where I'm sure I won't want to leave. You guys all know me, a nature freak if there ever was one! The display of God's splendor and glory throughout nature is overwhelming to me. I am amazed at how God put it all into place. Here at my sisters house the view is so gorgeous that just sitting out on the deck is a treat.
Well, all for now. We're getting ready to get out the door and onto the road to Yosemite. I'll post Tuesday when we get home as I don't think I'll have a way to post there and share pictures with you all. I love you, each and everyone. Meredith says to say hello and she loves all her cousins and Nico says he'd like to meet Easton! Those two have a lot in common. My heart aches for all of you, especially my grandchildren. Keep Yaya in prayer and know I am praying for all of you. Lord bless and keep each of you until I see you again. God is so good and I'm so blessed. I love you....Numbers 6:24-26.