I had a dream....

I had a dream about my Grandpa Nulliner. We use to live in his house years ago. That's where this dream took place. The kids, who were still little, were playing in my bedroom and broke the glass in the window which in that tiny house was literally an arm's reach from the side of my bed. As Gary was working on patching it with some plastic to keep things safe, my grandpa pop his head in and took over repairing the glass. He was young man in my dream...not the old, frail, mentally ill person I last saw before he died. After repairing the window he spent the day with us...Nate and Yurie were there and he gave them a run for their money. My children did not know my grandpa nulliner. Garrett spent time with him when he was just a toddler, but grandpa died before Kim was born. As the dream progressed, we all visited with him and then he said he had to go...which was okay at that moment I was just glad my kids got to meet him and spend some time with him...as I was slowly waking up I breifly saw his face...the one I remember as a child and very tenderly he said, Verda, I love you.....and he was gone instantly. I could feel the tears well up in my eyes as I awakened and soon i was weeping because I could still feel him saying he loved me. It was but a few second and I was sobbing. I did not realize how much I miss my grandpa. It has been a very long time since I have seen him or heard his voice.
Last month about this same time, I was missing my grandchildren. I was thinking about baby nate and how I miss his sweet little face. Sometimes he would look up at me with a crooked little grin, those blue eyes and tossled white hair. Suddenly I could see my grandpa Moreno....same crooked smile, same blue eyes, same tossled white hair. Again the tears and the weeping and the sobbing. Poor Gary, he has had to endure all of this. I hadn't seen my grandpa Moreno since his funeral...lying in his casket looking very peaceful. I remember walking by and stopping to look at him and I didn't think but I bent over and kissed him on the check and it startled me that he was sooooo cold. Grandpa was always very hot. He worked outside, driving a tractor on a farm. I never felt his face that it was warmed by the sun. You can imagine how shocking this experience was for me. I was about 14. I pulled back with a jerk and began crying uncontrollably. That was not my grandpa...where was he? To see him in baby nate was very comforting that day.

I do not know much about my grandfathers, very, very, little. However, what I do know is that they both loved me and would tell me often. This is all I think I ever need to know about them. I find it odd that it's my grandfathers I relate to, not my grandmothers. Although my grandmothers were loving and caring and taught me many good life skills, I miss my grandpas....It was reallly wonderful to see them if only for a brief moment. I know I will see them again in Paradise. Thanks Grandpa for coming to visit....I love you too.

Making an impression

Butt Prints in the Sand

One night I had a wondrous dream
One set of footprints there were seen
The footprints of my precious Lord
But mine were not along the shore.

But then some strangers' prints appreared
And I asked the Lord, "What have we here?"
Those prints are large & round & neat
But Lord, they are too big for feet!

"My child, He said in somber tones,
For miles I carried you alone
I challenged you to walk in faith
But you refused and made me wait.

You disobeyed, you did not grow
The walk of faith you would not know
So I got tired, I got fed up
And there I dropped you
On your butt!"

Because in life there comes a time
When one must fight & one must clib.
When one must rise and take a stand
Or leave their butt prints in the sand!

Go Phoenix Suns!!!

Last Saturday Gary and his friend at work, Kenny, went to the basketball game in Phoenix. Suns vs. Rockets. Kenny was so excited when I took this picture. He was like a little kid at Christmas time. If you look closer yo can see him holding their tickets. Their seats were located on the front row behind the press on center court. I waited up till Gary got home that night because I wanted to hear all about it. Aunt Sandi and Uncle George were there also. They had seats in a suite upstairs. It was fun for them to share this experience. They got autographs, took pictures, and ate yummie food, not to mention the great game. Suns won!

I bought a new shower curtain. I usually get a certain brand, but this time this cute little stripe model caught my eye. So I took a chance. Ooops! Always stick to what you know when buying a shower curtain. Oh my goodness. I took it out of the package and was affraid I was going to rip it putting on the rings. It is made of what is equivilant to plastic tissue paper. When Gary saw it he was delighted to see the bright stripes but was concerned that I had veered away from my usual. When he touched it he asked "Why!" I told him my thought process and he laughed. "I wonder how long it will last? It should make it til we move, don't you think?" I said, "No! We will be lucky if it lasts a week." We just have to handle it carefullly. This shower curtain is so cheap it doesn't even have the magnet weights at the bottom so it flies all around when you turn on the water and the air starts moving. I found the perfect word to describe this action...

VINYLOCITY: The strange atomospheric force that makes the shower curtain blow towards you while trying to shower.

It's Spring again the birds are telling me...

Today I am sitting on the back porch enjoying the sun. It is a beautiful day. The sky is clear, the sun is warm and the breeze is sweet and cool. I want to share another treasure I found...

HOW TO STAY LEVEL, MAINTAIN EQUILIBRIUM, KEEP BALANCED

Some Suggestions:

Put first things first (Suggested order)

1. God 2. Yourself 3. Spouse 4. Family 5. Church 6. Life's work

Laugh as much as possible

A good hearty laugh, according to medical authorities, is one of the best health (physcial, mental, and emotional) treatments available. Laughter eases tension, releases pent up energy, and provides exercise for little used facial and chest muscles.

A deep breath gives you 500 cubic centimeters of air. A deep laugh feeds more than 3,000 cubic centimeters of oxygen to body tissues with one guffaw. Every 60 seconds of hearty laughter exposes the entire body to an extra dash of oxygen.

With meals, laughter aids digestion by forcing the liver to produce more bile.

Gathering for lunch with a group of funny people obscures worrisome headlines, blurs budget concerns, and cancels out the need for a 100 yard dash.

Live in the present

Let the past go, especially if it echoes with mistakes or regrets.

Don't project or anticipate the future, except for a positive plan.

Consider today a 'present,' a gift.

Seize the moment, make NOW a brilliant success.

(Focus on the task at hand as if it is the only thing you have to do.)

"To affect the quality of the day is the highest of arts." Thoreau

Know your limits and accept them

Say no when have to.

If your life feels like a balanacing act, you're probably out of balance.

Fix it. Cut down on the number of spinning plates.

Don't be motivated or driven by guilt. If you feel quilty, take action.

Bottom line "see that all things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a woman/man should run faster than she/he has strength." Mosiah 4:27

"To every things there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

A Day to Celebrate Green

Today is St. Patrick's Day and the only thing I know about this holiday is everyone wears green. Green is my favorite color. I watched a news program this morning explaining this day and it seems all the things we do to celebrate here in america are american made. They don't do things like eat corn beef and cabbage or have wild drunken parties. They go to church and eat sheppard's pie and short bread cookies hmmmm. Short bread cookies are really easy to make....1 cup butter, 1/2 cup sugar and 2 cups of flour; mix and bake. It's funny how we americans always look for reasons to celebrate so we can party. Wearing green is still a favorite of mine. For those of you who did not receive an e-mail message from me on St. Patrick's Day here is an old Galick blessing I found among all my treasures.
May those that love us
love us,
And those that don't love us
May God turn their hearts
And if he doesn't turn their hearts
May he turn their ankles
So we may know them by their limping.

That's Entertainment

Lately Gary and I have been watching a lot of movies and even some new television programs. Gary likes to go to the movies when he has Monday night off, which is twice a month. We hit the theater about 3:00 than have an early dinner and make it home by 6:00. These are the gems we have watched lately: TH E BUCKET LIST---this movie was hillarious. Gary wanted to stay and watch it again. It was about two men with 6 months to live, but they live their last days in style. We can't wait to buy this one, it will be a must for our video collection. JUMPER--hmmm, the kids really liked this one but I didn't. There are people who have the ability to jump from one place to another anywhere in the world instantaneously. It's a fascinating concept . The special effects and cinematography was great. FOOL's GOLD--really cute. predictable story but the location was beautiful it was filmed in Austaralia and the water is so pretty. We really liked all the characters. It was funny and interesting. Treasure hunting is so fascinating to me. All the knowledge you need and the research ability. I think it's cool! Ed IN REAL LIFE--about a widower raising his three daughters. They go to their family reunion and he meets a woman who turns out to be his brother's girlfriend. It really touches real feelings and emotions. It's a quiet movie but well done. We rented it and I think I will watch it again. NO RESERVATIONS--another quiet movie...real emotions and done well. A female chef who lives to cook and run the kitchen in a prestigious restaurant inherits her neice after a fatal car accident. She takes time off to gather herself after her sister's death and when she comes back to the restaurant another chef (Nick) is in her space. The story is about what Nick teaches her about living life and including her niece Zoe. THE BEE MOVIE--wild and bright, funny. I think little kids would like it because it is so colorful and teaches about the circle of life in a different way.
As for television there is a new show NEW AMSTERDAM--about a guy who can not die seaching for the one woman who he will unite his soul for ever. He is a homocide detective and he uses all the things he has learned and experienced for hundreds of years to help him solve the cases. So far we have seen that he has been a doctor, lawyer,prominent artist...there has only been three shows. I don't usually watch t.v. programs but this one fascinates me. The man he lives with is 65 years old and is his son and this guy looks only 35. So far it has been a good show, but you know what happens everytime I find a show I like, it turns smutty after a season or two. AMERICAN IDOL--I can't help it. I love to watch and listen to these young men and women sing. These kids have a lot of talent. I don't much care for the judges comments, but I like the show. SURVEYOR--Gary is a big fan of this show and this season is different. I only like to watch the challenges, the rest of the show is just drama and I'm not up for that. DON"T FORGET THE LYRICS---this game show is so fun to watch. I get a kick out of the contestants. It's amazing how well people know the songs we hear on the radio. Wayne Brady is the host and he is fun. THE PRICE IS RIGHT--there's a million dollar show on friday nights and Drew Carey is the host.

From one place to another

We are all very happy that Kim and Nate's house sold. Because of the timing of the offer and sale, Gary and I did not have the opportunity to live in the Howard Household. But all is well, or it was. Just a few days ago we received a letter in the mail stating that the home we now are renting is scheduled for auction in May. I just unpacked all the boxes in the garage and it seems I will have to re-pack them. However, May is still a few months away and I have decided to just live my life and not worry about packing again. They have to give us 30 day notice whenever the house changes ownership so until we hear something, I'm not packing. Although, I have become quite good at it and am very proud of the fact that I have been able to discard all my precious junk. It actually feels good to be free of all those items. As you can see from the pictures I now have my own work room. Garrett tells us he will not be coming home so I can have the spare room for my own use. I am so excited! I have been organizing and planning for weeks. There is still much to do, but it is so nice to have a place to create. I Love it.