An Electric Week!

What a week we’ve had in Seattle. Here are my favorites in no particular order.

February 0041. Enjoying our home team winning the Super Bowl! There’s something so rich about unbridled joy.

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2. Being able to replace our older dishwasher with a new one installed without a hitch.

 

3. Some clear skies albeit quite chilly for us here in Western Washington. We were in the teens today and we never made it over freezing on our hill. It’s so dry and cold that my first touch on light switches and my computer buttons sends a little shock through my fingers…”electric”.

 

4. Hearing some good news from Andrew in Afghanistan is always a favorite.

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5. Talking to my pop and hearing hope in his voice. We bought him a recliner that he is really enjoying and I found this photo from the late 1960’s of him in a recliner that makes me smile. This photo was taken on Christmas day in the afternoon after our lunch and before we headed back to Sunday night services…

What are your favorites this week?

You can join us at Living to Tell the Story for this weekly event that Susanne hosts.

Valentine Party…

Laurie is hosting a Valentine Party and I’m joining in. Thank you Laurie!

Valentines from the present and past will be represented here.

Hope you feel the love as you scroll through…

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A little Valentine refreshment will be ready for you.

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Pink or Red?2014-02-05 February

While attending primary and elementary school my favorite day of the year was Valentine’s Day. I loved receiving each little card placed in a decorated bag on my chair. Did you exchange cards at your school?

These days I like to enjoy a nice meal at home and not fight with the crowds at restaurants. I have no flower or card expectations but if they show up I’m grateful. Some years I send cards and some years I don’t. What are your Valentine Day traditions?

Out with the Old…

February 006Our dishwasher was over 10 years old and it started making noises and wasn’t pumping out all the water so we knew it was time to investigate something new. We ordered a new dishwasher and the service man came on Tuesday to take the old one out and replace it with our new one.

February 007Out with the Maytag and in with the Miele.

February 008I think we’ll be happy with our choice.

So much excitement around our town. Katie and I did not make it down to Seattle on Wednesday because my throat was acting up and it was cold. Traffic was gridlocked and they are saying that over 700,000 fans gathered downtown to welcome home the Seattle Seahawks and their Lombardy trophy. Here’s what our outdoor thermometer registered…

February 009That’s cold for the Seattle area! We sat and watched all the T.V. coverage of the parade and the welcome home rally at Century Link Field in our warm family room. Dear went into Seattle before the sun was up and came home with his work computer before the parade road closures started. That was a smart move as he made it home smoothly instead of being stuck in a traffic nightmare with 700,000 people trying to get out of Seattle after the parade.

I found a few more fun photos from our Super Bowl Sunday celebration.

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February 003February 001So much fun!

Needless to say my Wednesday was a wash. I did manage to feed the three of us two meals. I also used my time sitting in front of the T.V. scanning more old photos. I’m glad I have something to show for Wednesday. How did your Wednesday go?

D is for Duomo!

It’s time for ABC Wednesday and our letter this week is D.

Thank you Denise, Roger, Leslie and the rest of the crew for keeping this meme going!

In March of 2013 I had the privilege to travel with my husband on his business trip to Milan, Italy.

The Duomo, Milan Cathedral, is the cathedral church of Milan, Italy. Dedicated to Santa Maria Nascente, it is the seat of the Archbishop of Milan, currently Cardinal Angelo Scola. The Gothic cathedral took nearly six centuries to complete.

This is one of the Duomo’s doors.

The Duomo is decorated with an amazing number of beautifully sculpted statues and spires. There are more statues on this building than any other in the world, 3159 in total. 2245 Of these are on the exterior together with 96 gargoyles and 135 spires.

I have extensive posts on the Duomo that you can find here (Duomo) here (Within the Duomo) and here (On Top of Old Duomo).

On Wednesday February 5th my daughter and I are going to brave the crowds and head to downtown Seattle to view the Super Bowl Parade. They are predicting quite the crowds to cheer on and congratulate the Seattle Seahawks in their first ever Super Bowl victory. The city of Seattle has been excited for 2 solid weeks and it will be a fun atmosphere to be a part of tomorrow. If I’m a little late getting around to your posts for the letter D you’ll know why…

Flashback to the Late Sixties…

These next photos from my high school years might show one of the reasons for my interest in sports. These were taken from 1966 to 1968 at my home and at Montebello High School in Montebello, California. Montebello is  just East of East L.A.

img339I was on the Song leader squad in my junior and senior years. The first few photos are from my junior year.

img341Every Friday before game time we would have a Pepster Squad Dinner at one of the Pepsters’ homes. When the squads came to my house my mother would prepare a Russian meal. We enjoyed this time together before game time. It was easy to lose 5 pounds in one night of cheerleading.

img345This was my best friend and she was a flag twirler our Junior year. In our senior year we were both Song leaders.

img343Some more of my friends Judy, Shelly and Bet. The hanging of Dumbo is a long story.

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img347It was crazy hat night at our Basketball game. Looks like we were playing the Whittier Cards? Shuffle the Cards was our motto for the night.

img356Our uniforms changed every year but they were always some combination of blue and gold our school colors. This was my senior year.

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img364It was crazy hat night again.

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img369We’d always go out for fast food after the game to try to gain back some of the weight we’d lose in the course of cheering during the games.

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img361The Pep squad would have their own Physical Education hour together to practice our routines and to learn all the rules connected with the different sports we would cheer on the sidelines for. I remember studying the rules for football and learning all the referee signs. It has come in handy in understanding what’s going on when I watch sports now. These were the days when you had to have your P.E. uniform washed each weekend at home and brought back on Monday pressed and ready for the week. After class you were also required to take a shower in those group shower stalls and get your name checked off. I don’t think kids use uniforms anymore for Physical Education. Did you have uniforms in high school for P.E.?

We had a very quiet Monday here. After all the excitement yesterday with the Super Bowl it was nice to have a quiet day. Katie and I are talking about going to the Super Bowl parade in Seattle on Wednesday.

Tomorrow, Tuesday,  our new dishwasher is coming to be installed. I’ll have to learn a different technique in filling the new one.

How’s the first week of February in your world?

Super Sunday!

Super Sunday 011We had our photo op picked up our skittles and headed home to get ready for the big game.

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2014-02-02 super bowl treats

We’ve got the 12th man drinks going and the 12th man chair all ready.

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This is what we are eating during the commercials! Football is not our life but we are having fun today enjoying all the hype and cheering loud for our team.

Are you watching or are you happily avoiding the game?

Update: We are so glad that our Seahawks will bring their first Super Bowl trophy home!

2014-02-02 Gameday!

His Words Are True ~ Hymn

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His Words Are True

What wonderful words in the Gospel of grace
Our loving Redeemer has giv’n!
How happy are they who in spirit are pure,
For theirs is the kingdom of Heav’n!

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Tho’ all that is earthly will fade,
And vanish away from our view,
We know that as sure as the Savior lives,
The words He has spoken are true.

He maketh the lilies to bloom in the field,
And shelters the bird in its nest;
He calleth the weary to come unto Him,
And find the sweet blessing of rest.

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To those that are thirsting and longing for Him,
The water of life He will give;
And they that with patience endure to the end,
Forever in glory shall live.

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Then why are we fearful, and where is our faith?
His own He will never forsake;
And tho’ He may lead them where waters are deep,
His promise He never will break.

Refrain

Words: Fanny Crosby, 1905.

Hello February!

I’m ready for this new month and some fresh ideas around this old house.

Shining 015Nothing drastic just a little something here and there. I’ve organized a couple areas of our kitchen to make it more efficient and less cluttered. Little changes that make a difference.

Shining 018Katie has been busy making creations out of chain maille rings. I’ll take more photos soon of all the bracelets and other necklaces she’s made. She’s sold a couple and has bartered one in exchange for a scarf.

Katie and I have watched all but the last episode of Downton Abbey! We will watch the last episode later today! I love watching it with sub titles!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Have a great Saturday…

Five Words

This week for Friday’s Fave Five I’m sharing five words that stood out from my reading in the month of January. Thank you Susanne for hosting this meme each Friday. I’m including random photos with the post.

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For this new year I’ve challenged myself to read 5 Psalms a day, One Proverb and concentrate on relearning Romans 12: 1-2. I’ve read around the Romans verses and that’s where the word inscrutable came from.

1. Inscrutable: not readily investigated, interpreted, or understood

Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

2. Extol: to praise (someone or something) highly

3. Steadfast: firmly fixed in place

4. Redeem, Redeemer, Redeemed: to make (something that is bad, unpleasant, etc.) better or more acceptable, (Ecclesiastical Terms) The Redeemer Jesus Christ as having brought redemption to mankind, saved from the bondage of sin.

5. Refuge: 1. Protection or shelter, as from danger or hardship. 2. A place providing protection or shelter. 3. A source of help, relief, or comfort in times of trouble.

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Great Is the Lord

Psalm 145: 1-10 (ESV)

1 I will extol you, my God and King,
and bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless you
and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and his greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
and I will declare your greatness.
7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The Lord is good to all,
and his mercy is over all that he has made.

10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your saints shall bless you!

I’ll be around to visit your favorites, soon. We are gearing up for game day here. Can’t be avoided when your home team is playing in the Super Bowl. Truth be told watching NFL games is not my favorite thing to do but we will rejoice with Seattle and enjoy the game.

Flitting

…move swiftly and lightly

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A Minor Bird
(Robert Frost)
I have wished a bird would fly away,
And not sing by my house all day;
Have clapped my hands at him from the door
When it seemed as if I could bear no more.
The fault must partly have been in me.
The bird was not to blame for his key.
And of course there must be something wrong
In wanting to silence any song.

I have to say that the only birds I’ve clapped my hands at have been crows or woodpeckers.

Today was quite the bird event at our house. So many little, medium and big birds flying in and out. They would peck at the ground, at the bird feeders, in the planters.

birds 006 How about this chubby Robin? We saw many Robins today.

birds 004A first for us was seeing a small hawk/falcon like bird and woodpecker having a life and death struggle. They both slammed into our French doors and landed on the deck and then when the senses were regained from the hard hit into the door, the falcon/hawk flew off with the woodpecker in it’s claws. Very strange event to see…

After some beautiful days we are back in a rainy pattern. Of course that is normal and we all need the rain along with the sunshine. California would love to have some of our rain drops…

Confession of the week: I went to Costco on Tuesday and bought season 4 of Downton Abbey so very soon Katie and I will have a marathon viewing of the rest of the episodes we haven’t seen yet. Costco had the DVD for $25.99 with a one time $4.00 rebate at the register.

Hows your week progressing?