Category Archives: Uncategorized

Watermelon Days!

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It has been a busy week, like usual.  We had some beautiful sunrises:

 

Sunrise over river by a bridge on the way to work.

Sunrise over river by a bridge on the way to work.

A beautiful sunset too!

Reflection of the setting sun in river.

Reflection of the setting sun in river.

And the reason we have been having such morning and evening beauty is due to a fire nearby.  Here is a picture of the cloud of smoke it has produced:

Smoke cloud from fire near Idaho City.

Smoke cloud from fire near Idaho City.

We had a full moon not too long ago and I took this picture!

Full Moon! S the corner of the shed shows how close they come. Also, see the smoke on the horizon.

Full Moon! Seeing the corner of the shed shows how close they come. Also, see the smoke on the horizon.

We have been fortunate that there have not been many fires nearby this summer!  It gets loud and crazy when the helicopters are coming and going every fifteen minutes!

Summer is winding down, we have already had a slight frost and you can feel fall starting to make it’s presence known.  I hope you all enjoy the last days of summer eating all the corn-on-the-cob you can sink your teeth into – followed up with an ear to ear watermelon-eating smile!

Kimmy

 

Fun Time in the Summer

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We had such a great weekend!  My knees are knocking and I sprang a muscle in my rear, of all places!  But the pain is all worth it.  Thursday night was the Valley County Junior Rodeo!  Our daughter came up bringing Chooch with her and we had such fun watching her at the rodeo.  Miniature Bull riding was last on the schedule and it was worth waiting for.  Like the announcer said, they were like regular bulls with their legs cut off!  So fun to watch!  Here is Chooch having fun watching the girl’s barrel race!  (Please try to ignore the kinda creepy photo bomber!)

Excited!

Excited!

On Friday it was Roaring Springs day with all the grands and their parents!  I climbed up so many stairs, many times dragging a heavy tube, and the ear splitting screams from the grand girls, the loss of skin on the bottom of my feet from the cement, the scrapes on my knees from the kiddy pool and the heart stopping scare when it looked like one of the grands was going to go under for the last time (but she was really fine!) is well worth the pain and suffering!  No pictures to share due to not wanting to expose anyone to such torture.

Then on Saturday Jess and his family joined us for the day and we had picnics and floated the river and ate strawberry rhubarb pie with ice cream late into the night, then prayed they would all drive home safely.  (Sarah and Chooch went back home too!!)  Today was a “Goose Goofs Off”  kinda day, although I did balance the checkbook, washed loads of laundry, cleaned the kitchen and the hot tub and picked some raspberries!

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend!

Now!  Get back to work!!!!

Kimmy

Jesus Wept

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Jesus wept! John 11:35

Now, I know many of us would like to make that our “life verse” just because it is the shortest verse in the Bible.  But think about it!  I don’t  want to make Jesus cry!
Right before that verse it says he was angry and deeply troubled because Martha and the people with her were weeping over the death of Lazarus!  Right after the “He wept” verse, it says Jesus was still angry when He arrived at the tomb and then he called Lazarus to come forth out of the tomb!
I’ve always thought He cried out of sadness over the death of a friend but Instead he cried out of a place of anger! I think He was angry because of their unbelief!…  Conviction falls heavy! Not out of guilt but out of sadness knowing He has probably “wept” a few tears of anger over my struggle with unbelief!  Reading in Streams in the Desert for today I read the following:

“Who can estimate how much we owe to suffering and pain?  But for them we should have little scope for many of the chief virtues of the Christian life.  Where were faith, without trial to test it; or patience, with nothing to bear; or experience, without tribulation to develop it?”

Hubster and I were talking after dinner about the verse in Psalms 23 about goodness and mercy following us our whole life.  Trials are really blessings in disguise for with them comes goodness and mercy and a chance to grow our faith in God!  Maybe then Jesus will weep  tears of joy in the proof of our trust in Him!

The other day, it was cold and rainy so I started doing some housecleaning.  I am trying to clear out my sun room a little bit.  (Those of you who know my sun room, please don’t faint!)  Coming across this milk glass vase I decided to just save the lavender buds and throw away the stalks.  This picture will always make me think of the smell of lavender that filled my kitchen!  What a healing, joyful scent!

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Summer Dreaming

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Life is full!  Full of good, bad, hard, sweet, harsh, gentle, peaceful and overwhelming moments.

In a make-believe world I would spend my summer days picking a bouquet of flowers in the morning, walking through my lovely, weed-free garden, with dew drops gently falling off the beautiful, vibrant flowers.

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I would then enter my cozy, clean home and arrange them in a breath-taking array in a gorgeous vase which was a gift from my dearest friend.

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I would place them on my desk

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where I would write my daily correspondents to all my friends and loved ones.

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Lunch, made up of fresh vegetables, creamy dressing, sarsaparilla tea, and lemon drop cookies, would be next on the schedule.

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I would find my way to my bedroom with white drapes that fall to the floor with a gentle breeze blowing through, swaying the drapes, causing them to billow in and out like breathing.

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I would lie on my chaise lounge

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with my tea cup poodle

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and read from my book of poems.

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Falling asleep, I would dream of being rowed upon a still mountain lake

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with the man of my dreams feeding me grapes while cooling my hot brow with a slow moving fan.

I would arise from my slumber refreshed and looking forward to preparing a scrumptious dinner for that man of my dreams who took me to his heart, to cherish me for a lifetime.

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We would spend the evening sharing our day and reminiscing about our happy lives.  When darkness fell we would meander into the parlor and share deep rich coffee and luscious chocolate cake!

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Sleep would come easy and sweet as we drifted off to dream land.

This is my dream world

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Uuum, then reality hits.

I wake up, sit up and feel pains in my back.  Monday through Thursday I stumble around the house trying to get ready and out the door so I can catch my transit bus to work.  On the bus I read and look out the window at the beautiful view, and lately, often start falling to sleep!  What is up with that?  I work many hours then ride the bus back home, and at that point it is even harder to stay awake.  (As the years go by this is more of a problem then it use to be.)  I am so grateful when my hubby is around when I get home.  Sometimes he is out of town doing mission trips or speaking at a YWAM base.  Don’t get me wrong, I am happy to share him but I love when he is there to greet me.  In the winter the fire is going and the house is cozy.  (When he’s not there it means I MUST take the dogs for their evening walk, make the fire after bringing in loads of wood.  It also means heating up a frozen TV dinner.)  After dinner we sometimes watch TV or sit in the hot tub.  On the weekends I still wake up early, old habits die hard, then I waste my time watching TV until I feel so guilt ridden from the looks that Luke, the dog, is giving me that I get out and take them for a walk.  We are so blessed with spectacular views and a great path along the river.  (If only my knees could regrow cartilage!)  Then it’s back to the house and yard where I try to spend some time cleaning and weeding but that too requires better knees and so I have learned to “lower my standards” (or LYS as Hubster and I have learned to say to each other.)  The two dogs that track in sand, mud, and cockle burs along with the shedding cat have added to the need for LYSing beyond my wildest dreams.  No longer do I pride myself on my housekeeping skill but there are worse things to regret!  We are excited every chance we get to see our kids and our grands.  Life is too short to miss any opportunities to listen to their stories, watch their games, make donuts or play games with them until the sun goes down.

I have been so busy and have not posted for quite awhile and am going to try to be more faithful to this blog.  My plans are to share some pictures from the things we have been doing.  Don’t give up on me!!

Love to all!

Kimmy

It’s A Small World After All

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I was walking the dogs slowly this morning.  The knees have flaired up and I feel like the senior citizen that I am.  Because  i was so slow i noticed more than I usually do so I took some pictures of small things:

 

The Tiny Start to Syringa Berries

The Tiny Start to Syringa Berries

 

Tiny Yellow Flowers

Tiny Yellow Flowers

 

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Miniature Pine Cone

 

Mini Moss

Mini Moss

 

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Miniature Mushrooms in the Mini Moss

 

More Mimi Mushrooms. Would fill a mouses tiny plate!

More Mimi Mushrooms. These three would fill a mouse’s tiny plate!

 

Tiny Purple Flowers for a Mouse Bouquet!

Tiny Purple Flowers for a Mouse Bouquet!

It’s always good to slow down and smell the roses or a tiny purple flower – although you would need a tiny mouse nose to smell that one!!

Our BIG God can create tiny things and seem even bigger for it!

Kimmy

In The Eyes of a Two Year Old

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Earlier today we went outside and picked some flowers.  Later I took some pictures.  Choochie wanted to take some pics too so I let her have the camera.  She took many pics that did not work but I thought these three were worth posting!  What do you think of our young photographer?

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I love the reflection of the vase and her foot at the bottom!

 

Delicate

Delicate

 

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Nice curves

 

Kimmy

In The Wild!

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Walking the doggies this morning I took a picture of all the different flowers I could find!  I hope you enjoy them!

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I also found new growth on the pine trees and some baby currents.  These speak of things to come and made me glad.

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God’s handiwork is on display for ALL to see!!!

Kimmy

 

Turning 60!

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It has happened!  It was a while back – mid-March.  I will tell you, it was scary!  I cried a lot – can’t tell you why, only that it seems unbelievable that I have come up against and even gone through this milestone.  I told Hubster, before my birthday, that I wanted to lay low and treat this just like any other birthday and NOT a decade turning life event.  He listened and it was a nice quiet birthday.  We were invited to dinner at Hubone’s brother’s home.  Kel served a scrumptious dinner and afterwards we enjoyed a homemade New York Style cheesecake that Kel baked served with cherry pie filling (a big favorite of mine!) or a berry compote.    It was magnificent!

Let the feasting begin!

Let the feasting begin!

 

Two beauties (Kel and cake) and a birthday girl!

Two beauties (Kel and cake) and a birthday girl!

 

Kiss the Cook!

Kiss the Cook!

 

"Marteen" with a walker! Will wonders never cease?

“Marteen” with a walker! Will wonders never cease?

 

Two brothers, both recuperating from knee surgery!

Two brothers, both recuperating from knee surgery!

 

New York Style Cheesecake! YUM!

New York Style Cheesecake! YUM!

 

A masterpiece! Hublet’s piece! You can hardly see the cake for all the walnuts!

 

Little would you know that I went back and spooned a lot more cherry pie filling on after picture was taken. You only turn 60 once!

Little would you know that I went back and spooned a lot more cherry pie filling on after picture was taken. You only turn 60 once!

The next day we drove to Boise to celebrate with our daughter, our oldest son and their families!

I just HAD to eat a piece of cheesecake for breakfast! Right?

I just HAD to eat a piece of cheesecake for breakfast! Right? (In the car on our way!)

We went to our oldest son’s house and had pizza and salad and then celebrated with a “S’more” cake made by our sweet girlie Sarah!!!

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Our oldest child with her nephew our youngest grandchild!

 

Pops and Paise!

Pops and Paisley!

 

All together now!

All together now!

 

Jesse and Larissa

Jesse and Larissa

 

Selfie with two darlings!

Selfie with Miles and Malia!

 

Chooch!

Chooch!

 

Fun birthday presents!

Fun birthday presents!

 

Our oldest son’s birthday is the day before mine.  (He was due on my birthday but was born at 11:20 pm the day before 35 years ago!)  We celebrated his birthday as well!  We are so proud of him and his family!

Birthday cake time!

Birthday cake time!

 

More Cake?!!! Delish!

“S’more” Cake?!!! Delish!

It was a great time!  I felt so loved.  I am grateful to be where I am in life, blessed beyond measure!  Now looking forward to reaching 70.  After all, “It’s not whether you win or lose, it is how you run the race!”  Right?  (I never was much of a runner, I hope walking counts!!!)

Kimmy

Worship From the Heart!

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Listening to the Celtic Women Special my heart soars!  So beautiful are these women, their dresses are the colors of the rainbow!  The violin is played by a darling, long blond woman who dances around while music flows from her instrument.  But the most special part is the voices of these angels!  I am always uplifted and at peace with the world when I get a chance to hear them.

One of the songs was performed by a darling new girl who they introduced as Ava, right there she had my heart.  She sang a moving song that is the essence of why we worship .  I just HAD to share the words with you.  May they bless you as they did me!!!

 

No storm can shake my inmost calm

While to this rock I’m clinging.

How can I ever come to harm

How can I keep from singing.

 

Then sings my soul with love profound

A fountain ever springing

Deep from the earth

How sweet the sound

How can I keep from singing.

 

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Enjoy one of my granddaughters!  She makes me sing!!

Kimmy

We’ve Got a Live Wire!

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We’ve Got a Live Wire!

Someone mentioned to me that I have not posted a bus story in a while.  And it is true.  There has not been much happening on the Transit other than some new drivers, which is only a cause for complaint.  Let’s just say – adding new drivers in the middle of winter when the roads are bad, really bad this year, along with it being Winter Carnival (which is crazy anyho0) has made for a long commute and getting home 20-30 minutes later than usual.  One particular day the “newby” took two wrong turns and we ended up in strange territory as far as the bus world goes.

I would also add that I have come to see a huge difference in driving styles between said bus drivers.  Some are gentle drivers, slowing down for bumps, taking turns slowly while humming a quiet tune as they go, minding their own business and saying only a kind “Hello” as you get on the bus.  Others take every corner on two wheels or hit the curb cutting it too sharp.  They seem to speed up when they know a frost heave is coming and could care less if you need to head straight to the chiropractor after each ride with them.  To add insult to injury they want to know all about you, 1.  where you work  2. how your day was  3.  how many grandkids —  with each person that gets on.  See, I told you it would be a gripe session!

I am glad to report that at least the drive home has been more timely lately, and the frozen ice potholes have all but disappeared – the frost heaves on the highway remain a source of joy – if you like roller coaster rides.

For the most part though, the riders all seem to know their place and have done a good job of sticking to it.  The usual greeting, one or two questions about their day, and if some one is sick or has a family member sick we exchange that information.  The other day tho….

I knew she was trouble before placing even one “schnaazy” boot on the step up.  The sun had risen and it was bouncing off her flaming red hair!  I was the last to board and could hear laughter and loud conversation as I waited my turn to board.  Once I got on, I proceeded to walk the isle to get to an empty seat, as usual, about half way back on the driver’s side.  Already, this woman was asking question of the person behind her.  They struck up a conversation about their mutual careers (which I won’t mention to keep from incriminating the innocent).  She was from California, what does that say?  She had worked with the rich and famous out there, she knew them all, worked with them all…

She kept this conversation up from Cascade to Donnelly and on to McCall until the person she was talking to got off the bus and then because I had been sitting behind that person I immediately was involved in a conversation with her.

She was interesting, lively, funny.  I wanted to hear what she had to say.  Imagine my dilemma – I had a good book that I was really into –  (I can’t tell you the name.  It is not a book I would recommend because of the use of the F word and some of the circumstances involved – The book had a great hook and even tho I knew better I read the stupid thing. – It was about this freedom seeking fish that jumped out of his bowl on the balcony from the top story of an apartment building and as it was falling down it looked into the lives of the people living on each floor of the building.)

So put yourself in my shoes… should I listen to Live Wire  who washed the hair of Ron Howard or read about a woman going into labor, whose phone is dead, and the baby is almost out – feet first!  She walks down the halls knocking on doors to get help and ends up at the door of the recluse who has not gone out or opened her apartment door for years.  Live Wire is talking about some of her personal problems but the girl on floor 19 is breaking up with her boyfriend.  LV starts to talk about all the restaurants she’s been to around here (and tho she’s only lived here for 1 year or so she know more about everything and everyone than I do who has lived here since 02)  But the little boy on the 15th floor, who is called Homeschool Herman, has just witnessed his Grandpa passing away in his chair in the living room.  Meanwhile the maintenance man of the building is trying to fix the elevator (with 27 floors it’s gotta work) and starts a fire!  You tell me, what would you do?

In closing, I am attaching some pictures just to sooth your mind.  Hopefully you are all doing well, enjoying the March winter weather.  (It’s 50 degrees today!  What???)

Kimmy

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Pock marks in the snow!

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What caused this?

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Tree Reflections

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Frosty Sage

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Frosty Fence and Rose Hip

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Frosty Crust

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Ice Patterns on River

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Home Sweet Home

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Frosty Branches