Flash Back Friday 159

Maria & her BFF's, Feb 2008

Love Thursday

Last December, I took some photos of my neighbor's new grand daughter Willow who was here from Alaska. She's back in town and last evening I took about 100 pix! Wow. Such a honey! Here are a couple.

Goodnight Moon

Last night as I rode home from my book club the moon was bright and full and the sky was a beautiful deep blue. It was really pretty exciting, so I got my camera out and took another photo of the moon.

Because, you know, can you have too many?

Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. Psalms 148:3

Bridgie's Fun, Fun Birthday

We had a fun celebration last night for our dear 15 year old birthday girl! We went to TGI Friday's for supper where they gave her a birthday crown and all the waiters and waitresses stopped by our table throughout supper to give her a sticker! I forgot to bring my camera, but John captured the memory with his blackberry.

The staff all came with a sundae clapping and singing one of those really loud and fast songs and made Bridgie stand on her chair with her crown. Oh, birthdays are so fun!!!

We ended the day's festivities at home with cake, strawberries, whipping cream and presents.

Happy Birthday Bridget!!!

It's her 15th birthday!

Calvin 5K Spring Classic

It was kind of weird Saturday morning taking pictures at this annual 5K without Edward there running because I felt like I had somewhat lost my focus. I had to instead focus on about 200 things. The race director had asked me to take pictures and I was happy to oblige. It's always good experience, and oh yeah, I got a free race shirt.

I didn't get to see John run either, but I did take a photo of him doing something else at the race he's good at. He helped out at the Gift of Life table where people could register to be organ donors.

Flash Back Friday 158

Edward Maria & Bridget, 1999

Love Thursday

Ah, green-yellow-green-yellow-green-spring-has-sprung!

These flowers were brought to you by John.

Hey Leo, It's Your Birthday!

Eleven beautiful years with our cat...

The Great Book Club Caper

A few weeks ago, I received an e-mail from a friend in my book club. She asked me if I would meet her and Jeannette for supper before our "book club" since it was Jeannette's birthday and we would celebrate in style. This was all a cover up for the surprise party that was being prepared and of course I was more than game to participate.

Allison & Jeannette

Under the guise of being ready to discuss "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett, we met at Mangiamo's, a restaurant which used to be a beautiful old home. We started with wine and shared an antipasto plate. Then for her birthday dinner, Jeannette had a plate of crabs. I had this wonderful pear and endive salad and Allison had a pork tenderloin dish.

The dinner and conversation flew by quickly and it was time for us to go meet the others at Suzy's house for the discussion; but wait, I had to leave early to get "gas" and Allison forgot her glucose meter back at the "Bunker." And wouldn't you know, I arrived early enough at the surprise party at the "Bunker" to get the surprised look on Jeannette's face.

Yes, it was a great success!

A VERY Memorable Art Exhibit

We had a very good weekend, but the most memorable thing happened Saturday morning when Maria put on her shades and we went down to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum for the Congressional Art Show where a piece Maria had painted in school had been selected for the show. It was a self-portrait done it acrylics that she had titled "Ephemeral."

Our Congressman was presenting certificates to the students whose art was chosen and just when it was about Maria's turn to go up on stage to receive her certificate and get her picture taken, he fell back on the American Flag. For a few moments, it was scary as they called 9-1-1, and they had to ask everyone to leave the auditorium. But it sounds like our Representative is going to be fine, thankfully, he had just fainted. They said that Maria would be invited to his office later this summer to meet him and receive her certificate.

Another honor was that Maria's piece was one of about 10 that the county school district asked to purchase so that they could show it for a few years.

Flash Back Friday 157

Maria, 1997

This little girl will be graduating from high school next month!

Love Thursday

What better excuse to post more photos I took last week of Bridget than a little love thursday celebration?

We LOVED walking under the pier...

playing in the sand...

relaxing in the sunshine...

getting our toes wet...

...and walking on the beach.

Yes, we loved this time together a lot!

Like the Joy of the Sea Coming Home to Shore...

((I had so much fun watching the waves last week.))

((I suppose it helps to have the warm salty air in your face and the sand in your toes and the mighty roar in your ears.))

((But do you see how good they can be to watch for awhile?))

((Look at this one break))

((Watch them awhile with me!))

...may the music of laughter break through to your soul.

Under the Pier

The pier near where we stayed last week provided endless photo opps. Underneath it was fascinating!

Even at night...

Go Eddie, Go! 2

We just skyped with Edward and I was very happy and relieved he finished the Rotterdam Marathon in 3:06 today and he was back in his room, passport and all. He looked and sounded happy to have his first marathon under his belt. I found these results and video footage... next best thing to being there!

Click here for one video of him running by. He's in his white South Christian jersey on the right side of the screen with about 5 sec. to go!

Name: Ed Smilde

Residence Amstelveen
Distance Fortis Marathon Rotterdam
Category MSR
Total place 677 / 7856
Category place 172 / 1259
Speed 13.534 km / h
Gross time 3:07:46
Net Time 3:07:04
Net split times (difference)
5 km 20:57 (20:57)
10 km 41:12 (20:15)
15 km 1:01:41 (20:29)
20 km 1:22:26 (20:45)
Half Marathon 1:27:15
25 km 1:44:13 (21:47)
30 km 2:06:22 (22:09)
35 km 2:29:58 (23:36)
40 km 2:55:45 (25:47)

I looked at this video on the marathon's website and it looks like an fun place to run...

Promofilm 2010 from Like2Run on Vimeo.

Awesomeness!

I love to see places like this. This is part of the State Park just a short walk from where we are staying. It makes you want to run or gallup on a horse.

So nice to see Mr. Sun again too. I have gotten a nice dose of vitamin D for my bones which I needed. Thanks God.

Happy Birthday Paula!!!

ca. 1989, Lake Erie

To the sister whose lovely silhouette I share!

Dolphin Watching

It was a peaceful night out on he pier and John and Bridget looked out at the water as the sun went down. The 1,540 foot pier is the longest fishing pier on the Gulf of Mexico and gives some pretty awesome views of the surrounding scenery.

Eagle eye John points out dolphins to Bridget!

Spring Break

Gulf Shores, the longest pier on the Gulf of Mexico

We (John, Bridget & I) arrived in Gulf Shores on Saturday and are staying in a condo that is in walking distance to this pier. John caught 30-40 fish on the first day and we ate some of them for supper. John was looking forward to fishing off of this pier and I was looking forward to taking its photo.

Risen!!!

Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave He rose again.

We live because He lives. Happy Easter!