Busy weeks

 

This post starts on a great picture of my handsome husband all dressed up for the dine-in at work. The military puts on an official dinner for the cadets. All the people of rank are dressed in uniform with all their badges and colors and whatever they are called!
Here are two of the cadets at Matthew's table. They were showing their orchids that came on their cream puffs before they ate them. I did not know that orchids were edible! To help you get the picture of how special this dinner is for the cadets, remember that for the last 4 1/2 months they have had a limited calorie diet with no candy, soft drinks, ice cream, junk food, etc.Our little cove. I named the big rock out in the water Crab Rock because you can hear the crabs scuttling around when you climb around on the rock!Dad reading to Annabella and Hailey 5th Sunday morning. They had a few people over for a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs with veggies, sausage gravy and biscuits and homemade jams, fruit, etc. In the afternoon there was Atascadero Christian Home sing and then a gathering.
A succulent glowing in the late afternoon sun on the path going down to the beach from 9th Street Cayucos house.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="343"] A delicious lunch I whipped up for myself one afternoon.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="423"] Bella or Molly at one of the houses I clean. They follow me around or ask to be let out and then want right back in again! It is fun to have a little company and entertainment while cleaning![/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="388"] Another, and one of my favorites, completed! When I am able to get pictures of all the new rugs and redo some of the older ones, I'm going to post them all on Etsy and do a 1/2 price sale![/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="320"] The cat and two boxers at the other house I clean at. The cat scared me the first time, when it meowed loudly right behind me when I thought it was still sleeping on the couch! ahhhhh![/caption]



 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] This cloud captured my attention and awe as I was leaving Annie's one day. I think we all have an idea or vision of how the Lord is going to come back. I see Him breaking through this cloud or one like it![/caption]

Majestic Clouds

Low, dark, cloudy sky

Pressing down drearily.

A solid sheet of bleak grayness

Stretching to the horizon.

Then the clouds part!

Rolling back,

Revealing the white

Wandering sheep above.

The clouds pile higher,

Soaring into the blue,

An enormous mountain

Of fleece billowing up,

Towering heavenward.

Then the sun breaks through!

Its rays strike,

Blazing on white puffs.

Surely God's glory is just behind

That dazzling cloud of light;

Surely the pillar is the splendor

Of the Son of Man.

In a moment His face will appear,

Soon my name I'll hear.

Even now my heart is flying

Up to meet Him in that

Resplendent cloud of light.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] My Friday afternoon cleaning got canceled last week due to a water leak. I called up Vanessa to see if they had plans. She took Sarah Beth, Austin (home from work recovering from a cold) and me out to Morro Bay to relax on the beach. When we saw this ship in the bay, we had to take a closer look. It is a large one for being in Morro Bay![/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Matthew had been sick for a week and I was ready to get out to the Friday night sing! I walked out the door and saw this! Nap time, I guess. So sorry to disturb you ;)[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="323"] This HUGE head of Cauliflower was only $1.99! I have been tossing it with olive oil, salt and pepper. Then roast it in the oven for about 15-20 minutes at about 350. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and return to oven for another 10 minutes or so. YUMMY!![/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] After volunteering at Woods (website) for a few hours Tuesday morning, I dropped by Addie's. She kindly let me warm up my lunch and then walked with me to the shoe store. After getting Jamba Juice (Buy one get one free:) we walked home. We came around a corner and I stopped short! A U-haul trailer with Newfoundland and Labrador on the side! I wanted to go see what the license plate was, but I didn't. If only trailers could talk! What would the story of this one be?[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] This is Matthew's organization and hard work! These are the Chrome Books after the cadets turned them in. He had these shelves ready to store them.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Boss and Mary and family were visiting down south CA, and Lucy and I were on pins and needles wondering if Nicole would be able to get to come up and see us. Mary drove her and Hailey up. I think they were in town for less than 24 hours! Nicole came over Wednesday afternoon. After visiting a bit, we went to Lucy's work. We walked in as she was going to clock out for her lunch break. Surprise! We went to Starbucks, visited a little bit, then grabbed Lucy some lunch and went back to Miners. Wow, an intense 50 minutes! So good to be together again![/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Matthew was 'voluntold' on a project for the social event for the Grizzly kids. Of course it had to do with technology and he had blast setting up and running the photo booth. Valerie on the right helped him. It was a huge success and well worth the investment of time and money he said. The kids were lined up all evening to do it![/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] My genius and good sport![/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] GRADUATION!! I didn't get to go this time because it was in the SLO PAC again. Which is a really cool building and experience for the kids. The high school graduates sat behind that front row (all the officials, principal, etc, sat on that front row). The graduates from Grizzly sat in the front rows of the audience. One of the highlights was Cadet Wedge singing the national anthem and "I am Not Alone". Matthew recorded the song. I get goosebumps and tears every time! Besides being a good song and meaningful to the cadets, she has an amazing voice! I'll try to load the video but don't know if it will work.[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] This past Saturday Matthew and I hike Cerro Alto again. We came across these fluffy seed heads[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] It was a beautiful day, but kinda hot to be hiking mid day! We kept reminding each other to drink water and checking in to make sure we weren't overheating. It was good to get outdoors again![/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] This bright green bush caught our eye. We are now used to dark greens and browns.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Looking back over the path to Morro Rock[/caption]

On our way home I happened to look backwards after seeing a man taking a picture in that direction. This is what I saw. Santa Margarita, some hill is the name of the fire. As of today, Monday, the fire is 80% contained, 1,800 acres burned, a few houses, mobile homes, trailers, etc. The evacuees were allowed to go home yesterday or today, I think.

http://pasoroblesdailynews.com/massive-fire-forces-evacuations-in-santa-margarita/37741/

Catching up #2

I think we are somewhere around the first part of April now...

One day I was dashing through Albertson's with Cherisa (the Albertson's in A-town changed to Haggen so we have to go to Paso now for Albertson's deals). As I approached the checkout lane, I noticed an elderly man on a motorized scooter on the other side. I smiled at him and then went about my business, but as I was leaving, he stopped me. Among other interesting things, he said he appreciated my smile. I told him that I can smile like that because of what Christ has done in my life (or something like that:)) and he told me to never forget that because it is the only reason worth living for (or something like that. :)) It was a boost to my day and faith in God.

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] This was our little set up for the turn-around hydration station Matthew and I did for the 10 mile run for the Grizzly Cadets. It was very interesting to be able to go WAY out on the base, back in the hills, where few people ever go and definitely not civilians like us! Pretty cool and very pretty.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] We had both planned on running with the kids this Class 34 but we both got injuries and had to drop out, me at 6 miles and Matthew just over that. But blessings come disguised and it was really neat to be a support to the cadets in this way. The staff that helped was very appreciative and thankful for the help as well. I'm just so excited at every little opportunity to be a part of these kids' lives. They are making such a change and commitment and have some rough backgrounds that I'll never understand or be able to relate to. I respect these kids![/caption]



 

Hunter Liggett Camp - 2015 - April

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] So pretty! Loving the lupins.[/caption]

Indian sheltersHiking with Paige, Ryan, Bryson, Eric, Annie, Austin, Jon, Kris, Blake, Ashley... Maybe more, I can't rememberThis was a mean looking plant! I would not want to fall on it with all its bristles and thorns and poking everythings!:) Well, what can I say? Besides that they are both so uncomfy you have to either be extremely patriotic or in desperate need of a chair to sit in them!

Matthew is always looking for fun ways to take pictures. Even in a pan lid - at least it was clean!I think this picture that he took is absolutely stunning! A simple oak leaf so amazing.

SceneryAt our campsite making tea.
Mighty oak. Magestic. Love these trees.Pat, my next door neighbor who we pay to live on her property in her house (she won't let me call her our landlady), is a little proud of her violets (right? that is what they are?)So, I found termite stuff one day. And then some more... Tenting and fumigating was quite an interesting process. We are very thankful to Uncle Jerry and Aunt Polly for letting us camp out in their house while they were gone and our house looked like this! Also, for Pat who took care of everything and made it simple for us. She takes good care of us!


Pat gave me the book in the picture after this one. This is the 10 commandments in cowboy terms :)

I really enjoyed reading the few simple sermons this book had from the Cowboy Church services during the Lone Pine film festivals. That's when they get together to watch all the movies that were filmed at Lone Pine, CA. (Matthew and I spent one night there on our desert trip.) From wild west, to Sahara desert, to India, John Wayne and other actors and actresses. The preacher that they asked to do these special services used lots of analogies to the cowboy life and gives the gospel in every sermon as clear as a bell. His simple language and presentation of solid truths rejoiced my heart and I was happy to pass the book on at Pat's request. The person I gave it to has hopes of sharing it with someone else. This book has already touched many lives.

 

Color RUN! 5K color run for one of Atascadero's schools, (junior high?). After the race..
Michael Cava has interestingly been twined into our lives. At David and Jen's wedding, he was the MC and came up to Matthew remembering the drink Matthew used to order at Starbucks! He is a family friend of Jennifer's family. A few months later, he introduced himself to Austin in the locker room at Cuesta. Eventually they found out the other connections and have Bible studies and do other things together sometimes. It is always fun to talk to Cava and we've enjoy him being part of our lives. Including one family Sunday evening at Brad and Vanessa's where we were shooting stretchy rubber chickens around the room, sticking them on the ceiling above the fan and uproariously laughing when they fell and were hurled at the wall or someone. Yeah... anybody that puts up with that is a pretty neat person. (That was mom's birthday and the first time I remember playing scrabble.)

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="324"] I was on a Broccoli salad kick for awhile... well, still am actually, I just ran out of soy-free mayo :([/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="299"] One sing night, Matthew found Hailey helping herself to the Goldfish! Isn't she just too cute! Corrin is on the left.[/caption]

San Luis Obispo Full and Half Marathon!

The big day arrived and Matthew and I and Ashley were all on the sidelines due to injuries. BUT, let's not dwell on that, because life goes on and maybe there will be a next time. I was able to transfer my registration to Austin and he trained for it in a few weeks and ran it like a pro! This pic is within the first mile. It was fun cheering the cadets on.



 

 

Here he comes in the blue shirt!


Way to go bro! We were so proud of him! It is a difficult race with hills and the windy morning, but he did really well. I'm sorry, I forget the time :(


We celebrated Dad's birthday that evening by going to Cambria Beach. It was a little on the windy and chilly side, but we found seaglass and had fun watching Hailey play in the sand!

After a picnic dinner in on a sheltered bench, Mom took us to a restaurant known for its fancy, stellar desserts. Wow, I'd say!


[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] What a cutie! Can't believe how fast she is growing.[/caption]

Hiking Bishop's with Addie and Cassie. We were taking a little rest in the shade. It was a warm, beautiful day.Matthew and I wanted to do an easy hike one Saturday and went out to Whale Rock Reservoir in Cayucos. We aren't really sure where there was a hike, but we walked around the lake for awhile on a mowed path. It was nice to be near water!


 

 

Julie and Weyman's Reception - May 3rd.

Sarah Beth left with us early in the morning Sunday and we drove to Riverside for meeting. It was SO fun to see Jonathan and Nicole! And everyone else! After meeting, we went out to eat with some of the young people and then went to Steve and Julie's for the reception. It was fun to see Aunt Sandy and Amy (Poppa Clem's nieces). I didn't know they were there, but once Aunt Julie pointed them out to me, I knew exactly who they were! It was run reminiscing with them.
I am excited to have one of my cousins out here! I don't have the picture here, but when we got our picture as two couples, the two of us girls made funny faces without even looking at each other :) Our husbands just looked at each and rolled their eyes!


I got this plain scrub brush for my veggies. But it just looked like it needed to be a bug so I got out the sharpies!This is the new shop/office for Premier Ag, Glen and Annie's hay business. The parking lot is now full of hay for customers who like to just buy one or partial bales at a time. Matthew was busy one Saturday, so I asked Glenn what they were going to be doing and if I could spend a few hours with them rather than moping at home by myself! We had a blast painted the office area.
Curt and Ethan painted the shop area and Ethan did a stencil for the sign on the door. It was neat to watch him.

 



Here is scrabble at Brad and Vanessa's. They don't play by strict rules so it was pretty fun.Haha! Got a kick out of this sign that is at one of the houses I clean at. I now have two weekly and one bi weekly cleaning jobs. It is fun to be making some money, impact more lives, and be a little busier.Piano Guys concert at the SLO PAC! oh wow! That was so neat. They are amazing musicians!

Another braided rug finished! This one has lots of character (unintentionally).It will soon be posted on Etsy at: WindSongInspirations
Every since Matthew had this dish at a fancy restaurant we went to a long time ago (hint, hint:)), he has wanted to try making it. Affogato is a scoop gelato with a shot of coffee poured over. He got the stuff and made them for everyone one evening at mom and dad's.

 

Another Saturday adventure....  This is Hazard Peak Trail in Montana de Oro. It was about 6 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 1,050 feet. It was a steady climb but not ever super steep, making for a very nice hike back into the hills.
I do love eucalyptus trees!            A red flower and yellow sticky monkey flowers.
More of Matthew's artistic photography.View from the top looking towards Morro Rock.So did anyone noticed that about 1/2 way through this or so, Matthew suddenly is wearing a hat most of the time? Yeah, well... I was giving him a haircut and forgot to put the guard on the buzzer. One side of his head was shaved from in front of his ear up about an inch and a half. whoops...

 

Dinner- Too bad it didn't taste as good as it looked!Matthew's official work photo


So Pat had our old wall heater taken out and a mini split put in. Matthew retextured the wall. It looks really nice and we are very thankful for the AC!

Woa! This pic kinda makes me dizzy. It is another rug finished!Vanessa had cinnamon roll stuff leftover from Yeager camp, so they had the great idea of having cinnamon rolls before meeting one Sunday morning! Susie was also on the team, and we couldn't have done it without Matthew, Dad, and Austin's help setting up and running errands for forgotten items! And yes, I'm eating a cinnamon roll! Paige made some yummy gluten free ones - she's pretty neat!

On Memorial Day we went hiking at Pinnacles with whoever could come, which ended up just being Kevin, Addie, and Cassie. Matthew had a blast using his GoPro:) You are seeing a very limited selection!
Addie and I stopped for a rest and to let Cassie lay on the ground for a bit. It didn't take long for her to roll over, push herself up, and reach for her first taste of dirt! She seemed to enjoy it quite a lot


 

 

Okay, not flattering, but he made such a good pillow :) This guy is pretty sweet.

Our 'instant tan'! Dust and dirtThis was another of Matthew's bday gifts, the picture of the car. That was in Death Valley. Good memories! I like to let people know that I'm in the picture, really. I'm in the car with the seat down taking a nap!

Okay, this is really not a fun picture, but real life and a real husband who woke up on my 4th desperate yell for him as I hugged the toilet at 1:00 one night when I ate something that didn't agree with me! I think I'll keep him ;)

Okay, that is caught up to May 27th! And I need to go make dinner. Hopefully I'll be back soon with a post to catch you up to current.