FAMILY IS ALL - I remember for you!

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HUGS, Grammy

END OF ANOTHER SUMMER ALREADY?!?

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Canadian Keswick Conference ♥ Memories

I can only pray that one day you might, also, have such a wonderful summer as Grammy had in 1971 when I was 17 years old, Ava. I LOVE remembering the blessings of Canadian Keswick Conference and all the friends from around the world I made there.

I found out today, Mother's Day 2013, that I am an IRIS (Mom Steedman, if she were alive, would LOVE to hear that)! "You are a very sensual person. You like to experience all the sights, smells, tastes and textures the world has to offer. Ordinary be damned, because you want to do it all." I wonder what kind of flower you will be, darling Ava?

I am an Iris What Flower Are You?

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My family is God's gift to me! I do think of Christopher and Chelsea, Bethany and Josh, Mommy and Daddy and YOU, TOO, AVA... with LOTS OF LOVE ALWAYS!

Summer 2012 Water Babies

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WATER BABIES

Grammy hopes you like what you see (and read) of my little creation! XOXOX

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Killarney Lake, Summer 2012

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A SUNSHINE DAY with AVA

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GRAMMY MISSES YOU, SWEETIE!

VISUAL DNA

Have you heard of this, or perhaps you have done it? What an AMAZING and WONDERFUL quiz it was to do, and very informing (and I must say ACCURATE) assessment of the person who does it! Here were Grammy's answers for a better insight into the woman I AM:

SPIRIT: You're a Harmonizer. Loyal and honest, you're generous with your time and know how to support your friends. You value one-on-one time with your inner circle and have a few close friends who you can truly rely on. Reliable and trustworthy, you seek harmony and balance in your life. You forge strong, long-lasting friendships, and your friends value your honesty and frank opinions. You tend to value routine and security. It looks like you're pretty centred right now. Good for you! You certainly have a very relaxed attitude and it takes a lot to stress you out. When it comes to bringing positive change to your life, don't try to move mountains. Baby steps are definitely the way forward. For example, if you'd like to lose weight, don't set yourself up to fail with unrealistic goals. Be kind to yourself and remember that slow and steady wins the race. Have you ever written a list of your positive features or asked your friends to do the same? It's a great exercise, and it might just surprise you. As a Harmonizer, it's important to learn to trust your intuition and to know that everything will work out for the best. Learn to say yes to new experiences from time to time. Your confidence and self-belief will continue to grow. Sometimes a challenge or a change of scene could be just what you need. Even if you have a busy schedule, make sure you have the confidence to carve out some quiet, reflective space for yourself. Your faith is a wonderful gift that gives you strength and support in everything you do.

RELATIONSHIP: For you, the sign of a good relationship is that you don't stress out about the small stuff. You may have your ups and downs, but there's no one you'd rather spend the rest of your life with. As a True Romantic, you've got a lot of love to give and you like to lavish your partner with romantic gestures. You have strong instincts and a good understanding of who you are and what you want from life. You like to follow your dreams and believe in happy endings. You are very expressive and enjoy coming up with new ways of showing your partner how much you love him. Intense experiences appeal to your sensual side. It's all about immersing yourself in the fairy-tale feelings of being in love. For you, it's the little things that make being in love so special: having someone else look after the kids for an evening so you can take a sunset stroll on a beach, hold hands at the movies and feel protected and cared for.

MONEY: You like to be able to treat yourself every now and then. You have a passion for fashion, so you would love to be able to indulge in a shopping trip whenever the mood strikes! The true mark of success for you is a happy home. It is the main focus of your life and the center of all your aspirations. You're happiest when you feel settled and comfortable. True fulfillment for you is in having strong, loving relationships with family and friends. If they're healthy and happy, that's all that matters to you.

HEALTH: You're on the right track with your health. You love feeling rejuvenated after a good night's sleep. Woulda-coulda-shoulda just isn't in your vocabulary. You've learned that if you want to feel great, you need to take the positive steps yourself. It's all about valuing yourself enough to take the time to what's best for you and your body. You like exploring alternative therapies and the holistic side of things. The key is to keep your energy balanced - no sugar highs or caffeine crashes. It's all about having a twinkle in your eye and embracing every minute of the day.

HOME: If you were given the opportunity to live your dream life, chances are you'd feel more at home settled in a cute country cottage than living it up in a mansion. Your low-key attitude means you'd prefer to get away from the stresses of city life and take it easy, perhaps spending your time in a colorful garden. Fresh air, birds chirping and home-grown veggies for dinner...what's not to like?

ENTERTAINMENT: Asking about the latest book you're reading is probably the best way to get you talking! What better way to chill out and unwind than a good book that takes you faraway from everyday life? Escapism at its best!

STYLE: You're so laid-back, you're almost horizontal! You like to take life as it comes and enjoy all it has to offer. Your practical style reflects your down-to-earth, relaxed attitude. Why stress out over finding heels to match your dress when you could be out having fun in the sun and living life to the fullest? In fact, sun-kissed skin and surf-tousled hair are the perfect accessories for your look. Just make sure you don't forget the SPF!

TRAVEL: You're inquisitive, open-minded and interested in history. You love to discover new things and experience new places. For you, the tourist trail is best avoided. After all, it's the hidden gems that make traveling so exciting! You love to thoroughly immerse yourself in culture, so chances are you'll end up in a museum or gallery at some point on your trip.

HUGE HUGS!

Our Precious Golden Retriever

What a Day it was!

Up really early to travel to our youngest daughter and only granddaughter for a day long visit today, it was a wonderful... except for two things: Ava got her first THREE vaccination shots today and asked for Grammy to be with her in the doctor's office (HORRIFIC to watch, and I don't think Grammy is at all brave, compared to little three year old Ava)! You really did deserve a badge of courage, honeybunch! The second was goodbyes which are NEVER easy, even for me I must say. Ava wanted to come home with Grammy, obvious to me now that it is something both of us long for, but dependent on Mommy and Grampy's approval. I thought I was trying to ease the situation, saying "but Grammy's girl isn't packed, dear" and off she flew upstairs and in less than a minute, was back with her little three year old arms full with as many clothes as she could grab up, "READY" she said, stuffing everything into her wee Disney princess suitcase. I respect Mommy's desire to watch for any reaction to the needles she got, so we left it that when Grampy has Monday to Thursday off next week (a rare thing!), Mommy and Ava can come visit at Grammy and Grumpy Grampy's house together... we'll see about that, but "I" am hoping, wishing, praying, dreaming!

Hi All!

I'm a packrat but sometimes, like today, finding this in my Spring cleaning is lovely to see again:

"Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so..." Little children ask no more, for love is ALL they're looking for.

Isn't it nice? I must have been really attracted to it when my children were small to keep it all these YEARS. *smile*

HAPPY SURPRISE!

Just when I was told and thinking too bad my darling granddaughter was not able to come for Easter, I hear my husband say, "Well, what are YOU doing here?" and in walked Ava with Mommy and Daddy to spend the day with us! What a wonderful HAPPY SURPRISE! Of course, it was "come, come Grammy" as soon as she arrived, and up the stairs we carefully walked together ~ to the girliest room, where FUN was waiting for the both of us... a barbie doll house, spring horse that whinnies, baby grand piano, and fancy beds for snuggling and reading books galore on, and even a basket of Easter goodies to indulge in that now I am so glad I had ready! Five hours can go by like a minute when Ava is here, and though a wonderful memory now, I am still smiling!

NOT VERY GOOD AT BLOGGING....

Should I keep blogging? Not much happens in my everyday life, because of bad health. And, I don't always know what to write about. Someone suggested Twitter for me, but that was even harder than this... who cares what I did a minute ago? Too funny. I think you must have a lot going on to keep things like this going on more than one website. I keep my hopes high that Sunday I should spend the day with my youngest daughter and grandbaby, who are my only offspring close enough by to see on one of my favourite days. Hearing "I LOVE YOU, MOM" are some of the loveliest words of all to me, so from one mom to another, may the Mother's Day bouquets you receive (dandelions, egg carton flowers, or flowery words) make your heart soar with the greatest happiness this day brings. BLESSINGS!