Get To Know Your Blog Friends

This will be a short post today, as I am getting ready to go see my babies.

Every now and then, I will do a post called Get to know your blog friends.  I will include some things about myself that you may or may not know, especially my new friends who I have enjoyed getting to know.  So, here they are.

*I have a thing for OREO'S, and if I ever see them at the store, I will probably pick some up.  Don't really care for the thin Oreos or the double stuff Oreos, but the original ones I LOVE.

*I don't like group e-mails (for many reasons).  Sometimes people in the group e-mails may not understand what is being said, and the context gets all mixed up.  Also, the sender shouldn't send personal stuff about one to all.  It's funny, cause after I wrote this, I sent a group e-mail to a few blog friends, and I didn't see the responses of some til later, as they were scattered in the middle of them all.  Just a couple reasons why I don't like group e-mails.

*I love loyalty.  Have you noticed there are people who are neither here nor there?  I appreciate those who know where they stand and follow through.

*I don't like sandy beaches; never really have.  The thought of sand between the toes and sprinkled over a sweaty body doesn't appeal to me.

*In high school, I took a typewriting class, and at the end of the semester, I could type 65 wpm.

*I was the youngest child.....and as the saying goes, the youngest child is the most spoiled.  That was farthest from the truth with me, and didn't have many toys or clothes growing up.  And when it was time to get my first car, I bought it myself.  My parents instilled in me this valuable lesson, and it made me appreciate the things that did come my way.

*When I was in first grade, I was put in a first/second grade class.  It was called a 'Split Class.'

*My birthstone is Emerald, and whenever I see anything with the color of Emerald, I am drawn to it.

*I delivered my three babies without pain medication.  After Jess was born, who was almost 9 lbs., I said that I never wanted to do that again.  A few years later, her brother was born.  ; )

*When I was a teenager, I used to walk to church, which was about a mile from my house.  When my dad was outside doing the yard work, he would always shout something to me and smile as I walked away.

*I've never been star-struck with celebrities.  And I've never been impressed with wealth or fancy cars or grand houses or fine jewelry.  What does impress me is someone with great character, and that only has humility to offer. 

*I have what I call a gift of dreams.  During a devastating time in my life, I had a dream one night, and my mom was present in the dream.  I literally felt a warm feeling come over me and a gentle hug.  Another time, I had a dream about my son, and he loudly shouted "mom!" and I suddenly woke.  In the middle of the night, I got a call from him - he was in the hospital and told me he just got into a car accident.  That's just one of the many dreams I've had, and why I call them a gift.

Well, there ya go.

Oh, there's one more.....

*I love you.

But you already know that.

July Joys

 Hello, and how are you all doing with the summer heat?  Some of you asked about the humidity in this area.  Well, on a recent post, I mentioned driving to the city, which was extremely hot that day, but that was in the valley, about 50 minutes away.  During the summer, we usually get temps in the 90's here in the mountains, although we have had some days in the 100's this month.  Also, California usually doesn't get the humidity like some of the other states do.  So, it has been a warm summer, but supposed to cool down in August.  There are several July birthdays in my family, so when I saw these confetti cupcakes in the bakery section, I had to buy them.

Francesca and Mia are already interested in taking pictures, and this little daisy Francesca captured when we were visiting the church one day.

I liked this photo of Mia so much, that I put it on my computer screen.  It has summer written all over it.

A BLT sandwich with some Popchips.

I made a squash bake, which turned out delicious.  Lots of cheese sprinkled on top.

I had some leftover chicken, and my son made his own special creation one night.  It was so good that I had two servings.

Nel took a trip to England this summer, and she sent me a few pictures.  These two photos are of a wall that was built by the Romans.  It spans the entire island of England and marked the very edge of the Roman Empire.  It's called Hadrian's Wall.

When Jess was here, we visited the home shop in town, and Bigfoot was greeting us at the door.

I bought this Lego Twirling Rapunzel for Francesca, and she wanted to put it together all by herself.

How is it that my girl turned 43 this month?  I still remember her climbing grandma's tree when she was just a playful young girl.

For her special day, she went to a magic show in Hollywood with her sister-in-law and Jess.  They had drinks and dinner, and she got picked as a volunteer from the audience for two shows and was able to witness some mind blowing magic up close and personal.  It was so fun getting all dressed up and wandering The Magic Castle that night.  I love the green velvet dress she wore.

Mermaid Charlotte.  Out of all the babies in my family, including my own, she has to have the sweetest smile.

Through the window at my neighbor's house.  I've never seen the hummer's tiny long beak inside the feeder before.

My son often goes to the creek, and sent me this picture.  It's such a peaceful place to visit for him.

This summer heat is zapping my energy, so going through photo albums sounds like a good idea.  I always say that if there was ever a fire or I had to get out of the house quickly, one of the first things I'd gather is my photo albums.  They have so many memories in them.

Try to stay cool, friends.  It's in the 100's the next couple of days, then cooling down to the 80's.

~Sheri 

Enchanted Cave

I'm wrapping up the last of the outings me and Jess had when she came to visit me in the mountains.  This day was a fun one, as we drove to see the cave that is located not that far from here.  This neat cave is a lava tube that was formed by a volcano 20,000 years ago.  It is completely dark inside, so you have to bring a flashlight or a lantern to accompany you.  It gets very cold inside the cave, and remains 46 degrees year round.  The hike is only 1/3 of a mile, so it is accessible for kids and older people.  I didn't go through the cave myself, and took a nice walk with Charlotte, but I did walk to the entrance of the cave and took a few pictures.  Come along, and see the interesting and somewhat spooky cave that Jess and Francesca and uncle b. walked through.

 When they finished walking through the cave, and they came out from another direction, Francesca saw me and shouted "grandma!"  This is a popular attraction in this area, and I'm glad that Jess was able to experience it, and spend this time with her brother.

~Sheri

A Very Hot Day In The City

I had a wonderful time when Jess visited recently.  One of those days we drove to the city and spent the day there.  When I was growing up, this town was a small country town, with not many attractions, but now it's a big city with a mall, restaurants, and shops of every kind.  The streets are getting so crowded, and with the temps being in the 100's, it made it very uncomfortable.  I also drove to the city last week with my son, so I will combine both of these days on this post today.  We first stopped at our favorite cafe' and had something to eat.  Then, we walked along main street and went inside a few shops.  We drove to the other side of town, and went to all my favorite shops, World Market, Barnes & Noble, and others.  Jess and Nel have always loved the bookstores, and I appreciate the cafes within the bookstores.  The Barnes & Noble cafe' had a cozy vibe, and we sat for awhile to get out of the heat - it was 97 degrees that day.  Uncle b. bought Francesca a specialty milkshake - Vanilla Bean Frappuccino.  When me and my son drove to the city last week, it was very hot, 115 degrees...not pleasant weather at all.  I browsed through an eclectic shop and then we went to Target, where I found some soft furry slippers in a blush color.  They will be nice this winter.  Here's a few photos from our fun day spent in the city.

Let the world busy themselves with events and celebrations.  I'm quite content having the pure innocence of a baby nestled in my arms.

 ~Sheri