"oh my good heabens! what a lot of flowers!" says Jake as he wanders thru my garden. What could be better than a visit from him on a Saturday afternoon.

Happy Birthday to my Sister

Marty came before me, and so I was always lucky enough to have her as a teacher! She's always been there to let me know which books she has read and tell me which are the best!

She experienced "love" before me! and I couldn't wait to follow in her footsteps, and fall in love!

She always dressed in the latest style! Fashion tips from Marty have always been the greatest! (When I was young, she hated it when I would raid her closet) I loved her hand-me-downs!

She's always shared mothering tips with me and I love her great advice on how she conquers the world! Now she is brave and going ahead to see what being 60 is like! What a nice sister, to prepare the way as she has always done. Figuring everything out to make it easier for me, as I am not far behind. Thanks for being such a great sister, for being my advisor, my teacher, my substitute mom, but most of all my dear friend. I love you... have a happy day. love, Polly

Swiss Days!

Pat and I had a fun morning at Swiss Days.

We got some guy to take our picture, if we would advertise his lotion! Aren't we great models?

Faces of the Village

Mexico!

I'm going to have to write about our adventure in Mexico for the next few days! What an experience. We were able to be part of Jim's sister and brother in law's "Mayan Miracle". They have adopted a village deep in the jungle's of Mexico, and when they see Kevin's van coming in, the children run to tell their mother's and soon they show up dressed in their best clothing, to be loved and hugged by these good people who have become their friends.

Sorting through clothes to make sure there is something for everyone!

Lined up with bags and we fill them with supplies. Such sweet people.

The children have very few school supplies and so pencils and other school needs are a big hit! The smiles on faces and hugs of welcome were heartfelt and made my heart break a bit as we left. They are grateful for so little. I appreciate Tam and Kevin for giving me the opportunity to see and participate in what they are doing. It truly is a miracle!

A Great Tea Party

Marty invited me to come along while she interviewed "the aunt's" about mom the other day! What a lovely afternoon, listening to them remember their childhood and hearing their memories of grama and grampa Lundgren and mom. It was so fun to have them talk about growing up during the depression, the war, their boyfriends and how they all got along with a houseful of girls. It was interesting to hear how much they all loved mom and it made it seem like she was right there. Thanks, Marty, for taking me along.

Home is the heart of life...
Home is where we feel at ease, where we belong, where we can create surroundings that reflect our tastes and pleasures...
Making a home is a form of creativity open to everyone.

---Terence Conran

Lovely Friends

"I get by with a little help from my friends".
-John Lennon

The other night the women of our neighborhood had a wonderful get together in Pat's garden, down by the cottage. How nice to get together with friends young and old, have a little dinner, enjoy one another's company, even watch a movie outdoors! I am blessed to live here! What a lot of lovely friends I have.

I was feeling good enough the other day to spend some time with Jake! What a welcome change from laying around, nursing the back! Abby came home long enough to take him to little gym and I went along to see what he has learned while I've been away!

Wow!!!

look at that!!

College Grad!

Congratulations Whitney!!! After long hard studying, a summer full of teaching and taking 21 hours to finish, getting a B- in that awful math class, you've been putting off, you're finished!!! Our youngest daughter is a college graduate! We couldn't be more pleased at this great accomplishment! Way to go Whitney! We love you!!