Oldies, But Goodies

I always like to start with a flower these days. This is a Golden Chain Tree from that yard I visited
three or four weeks ago.
I love it and want to get some, but we'll see.


This is kind of a silly blog about the really old kitchen stuff I have and still use all of the time. We're kind of a "If it's not broken don't fix it" kind of a family.

Speaking of broken, now that my hubby has finished replacing the radiator in our Jeep, our dryer broke the other day. He found the problem today, got the part and fixed it already.

Now if we had to get a repairman, I think I'd be waiting for two to three weeks for my dryer to be fixed. I'm spoiled by the talents my hubby has been blessed with. Thank God for this because it saves us a lot of money, not to mention time and frustration.

On with the oldies, but goodies...

First up is our twenty nine year old Revere Ware. I received it for Christmas shortly before my first marriage. Funny thing is, my current hubby had some pieces of his own so we combined our sets when we got married fifteen years ago and have lived happily ever after.

Same vintage year here. Got this from my former SIL who was selling Tupperware at the time of my first marriage. Notice the dark brown plunger thingy. I lost the original down the garbage disposal. I had never had a GD before and didn't even know what happened to my plunger thingy. They were out of the tan color so I accepted the brown one. We use this everyday.

This one came with this house when my hubby bought it nineteen years ago. He bought it as a fixer upper house and for $2,000 more he got everything in the house. There were some really cool things in the house, but we just couldn't keep it all.

I love this bowl for popcorn. It doesn't have it's lid anymore, but we don't need it. I wonder how old it is?

This is the prettiest Tupperware I have. It has a blue ladle too. I use it for popcorn too and colorful salads. I think it's about fourteen years old.


Sterlite and Rubbermaide storage containers have been my friends for many years. There were many sizes and shapes in the Rubbermaide set. Just two Sterlite pieces. Some pieces have gone by the wayside, but I use what I have a lot.

I just had to have the set on the left. There were different sizes and they all stacked nicely and fit great in the cupboard. I had a set with blue lids and one with red lids. Don't know why the red set is gone. Probably a yard sale item. I don't even have the whole blue set anymore. Impulse buy back in the 90's I think.

I have a canister set of the white one. They are full of sugar, flour, brown sugar and tea bags. I love this set.

Now these babies are priceless. Do these spoons belong to you? Leftovers from pot locks a long time ago. Couldn't find the owners so they are now our serving spoons used every day.

The knife was my mom and dad's. I think it was in their camper. When they sold their camper we got the contents for our fifth wheel. Nice deal. I think the grater was in that group too.

There's a story with the grater. I guess I'm not very old fashioned cuz I love this old thing. It requires a little TLC. I do not put it in the dishwasher or let it stay wet. It gets rusty fast.

I bought a very expensive, fancy mandolin style grater once and found it cumbersome, too big to store and a pain to use. I actually gave it away. What an expensive waste. I had saved my very old grater so I brought it out of moth balls and re-commissioned it.
Now this puppy is my very old sports bottle that I fill with ice water every night and put on my night stand. I drink most of it with my popcorn every night. Yes, popcorn every night! I love popcorn!! I don't know how many more trips through the dishwasher this baby can handle. One thing I know, I have some Tupperware straws I can replace this straw with.

So there's your trip down memory lane whether you wanted it or not. It was fun! Glad you stopped by.

A Day at the Park

Three weeks ago we went letterboxing and today we decided to return to the same park. There is a creek and a pond there and my kids wanted to goof off in the water today so here we are.
Normally I don't notice beauty in small spaces, but since I've seen pictures on other blogs I've learned to look closer for pretty little spaces in bigger, not so lovely spaces. These rocks are not as big as they look in the picture and that plant is a weed, but it sure looks pretty when you get close.

If you've read my first letterboxing post you might recognize this picture a little bit. The grass was tall and there was no water there, just mud and my son had walked through it and gotten his shoes muddy.

They are fixing the park up for the summer activities that go on there and this is how I remember it looking years ago when I first went there.

This thing I've never seen here before. It looks like a sculpture of some kind. It was kinda cool looking I thought. It wraps around the tree and snakes it's way toward the creek.


Looking closer I learned that this is either bamboo or some kind of vine that has been woven through these stakes. I'm anxious to see what it'll look like later this summer.


Some lovers have already carved their initials in this freshly cut tree stump.

Little tiny fishies were swimming in this shady little spot.



Here's my daughter rearranging the scenery by throwing something in the water.


The sun finally came out from behind the clouds so I was standing in the creek and taking a few pictures of my kids. My son took this one of me.


My son wanted to rearrange things too. He wanted to move this log. You may have gathered we don't get out in the sun too much by the paleness of our skin. We use a lot of sunscreen because we don't get out in the sun much and we burn easily (well my kids and hubby burn easily).

My daughter posing with a rock in her hand which she stacked on the little dam they were building by her feet.



Still trying to move that log. He did move it eventually.



All of this hard work had me exhausted (not really) so I sat down in the sun and watched the kids play for awhile. My poor feet look old and they need a pedicure. Another day.

Proud To Be An American!!

I've been thinking about Independence Day and our country and how there are so many people willing to join the military to protect and defend our country. Then I started thinking about how I felt when I came back to the United States after being in the Philippines for almost three years.

I was comimg back to be in my friend's wedding. I know I was emotional because of my impending divorce and I was very tired from the long trek just to get to LA via the military stand by flights and airports I'd been in for thirty hours, but I truly was elated to be on U.S soil.

I remember I was taking a shuttle bus from the military airport to the civilian airport. I had had enough waiting and sleepless nights. I was listening to a tape in my walkman (yes, I said tape and walkman. Oh how technology has come a long way.)

I was listening to some Christian music. I was looking out the window and I just started to cry. I couldn't stop. It was unusual for me to cry on a bus, but as you read, my situation had my emotions quite frazzled by that point.

I missed the U.S. sooooo much. I loved the U.S.
I had never loved the U.S. before.
This was a good feeling. I actually wanted to kiss the ground
when I got off the bus. I chickened out and just walked proudly on it instead.

I was only out of the U.S. for three years & I had been home once about two years earlier. It was different this time. I was a Christian now and I cared. I missed my family and friends more. I think I can say I had grown up some in the previous 18 months.

I think that missionaries must feel this way. They love the countries they serve in, but they love home too. We are proud to be Americans and I welcome anyone who truly wants to be an American by way of proper immigration.

I don't think you have to leave the country to appreciate it, but for some of us it helps to give us perspective. I admire people who didn't have to leave America to find out they love America.

Pray for the military and their families and think of how much they love America and want to come home. Fly the flag proudly on Independence Day and stick up for your country and what it stands for. Enjoy some fireworks and a picnic too while you're at it!!

Fun To Watch Them Grow Up

Lately our neighbor has been visiting a lot. He's a thirty year old who lives with his parents due to some bad choices on his part which he fully owns up to.

Today he said, "It's kinda neat. I've been watching your kids grow up." And I said, "Yes and I've watched you and your brother grow up."

Then he recalled when my son was about four and my daughter was about two.

He was sitting in his car working on something when we came home that day. My son had asked me if he was a Christian and I said, "I don't know."

I felt my son needed to know or he wouldn't have asked. So we walked over to him and I told him what J wanted to know and that J was concerned if he was going to heaven. Our neighbor put his head down and said, "Yes."

I din't know what to think. He seemed ashamed instead of happy. We continued with a little conversation and parted ways.

It's been about ten years and this young man has made some bad choices, but about eighteen months ago he came over and asked when our church had it's service. He showed up that Sunday and has been pretty regular since then. He was baptized last summer.

Three weeks ago here comes his older sister and her three year old. And they've been coming since then. Today he mentioned that a friend wanted to start taking his kids to church so he invited them to his church.

You just never know what a simple question from a child would begin or be a part of. Never hesitate to ask that question. It may be the beginning of something that grows into changing a family.

I'll leave you with this from Hebrews 13:5b, "Because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you.' "

Changes Are Coming My Way

I'm not sure what I'm going to write tonight. We've pretty much finished school, we're doing some cleaning.

I'm trying to stay on top of the weeding and laundry and there are some changes coming our way.

I guess I'll share about these changes.

Homeschooling has been so good for us and so fun, but as I saw that we weren't able to make ends meet I felt compelled to go back to work.

I have to admit the math and language arts were getting frustrating and difficult for me as well. I have not been very patient with my kids and I feel like I need to let go and move on. I support and encourage any homeschoolers out there, these are just my circumstances. It's my story. Everyone has a different story.

I haven't worked for fourteen years, my kids have never been to public school and my husband is looking for a new job. These are not end of the world circumstances, I know, but I personally do not like change.

I like structure, predictability, consistency, routines...you know, no changes. Sometimes I'm flexible and spur of the moment, but I'm not known for it.

I've also been doing things my way and at my own pace (slow) for those fourteen years. I'm scared and yet I am excited to get some of the changing going. Once I'm on board, I'm fine with change, but if it's not my idea and I have to change, I'm a little stubborn.

That brings me to God who never changes. In a world of constant changes knowing He remains the same is comforting. I know I can depend on Him to bring me through these changes. Thank the good Lord.

Filling out applications on line is a new experience for me. It has taken a long time and I haven't completely finished one yet. I need references, letters of recommendation, college transcripts (oh please, it's been about twenty years since I've been in college),

previous experience, and explanations of how my skills and experience will benefit these employers. I have to really toot my horn about what I've been doing for the last fourteen years. It has been a real challenge. This is only the beginning. It could take months to find a job.

I'm apprehensive because my kids will be in school most of the day and I'll be gone all day. I'm not used to them walking to and from school (if they have to) and then being home alone until someone gets here.

My husband is nearing the possibility of landing a new job (pray about his interview this Wednesday, June 17th) and that will mean he will work day shift. He has worked swing shift for years which has been great while homeschooling.

It has worked out nicely because he has been able to help with school and be with us all morning. He works on projects and repairs too. We have our main meal at lunchtime and he goes to work.

If I were going to be at home while everything else changed, I'd be okay with that, but I'm going to go through a big change too. Different schedules, different meal time, working and doing all that I do now (like all of you working mom's have done for years. Kuddos to you all.), homework in the evenings and ...well you all know. To me, that is scary!!!

God never said it would be easy or that we could do it all our way, so I'm placing everything in His hands (it is anyway) and praying for the peace that passes all understanding.

I'd appreciate any prayers that you might offer up to Jesus for our family. Thanks. Now let's enjoy summer!!

The Thing About Pets

What is this fascination with our pets? I've always liked cats and most dogs, but for a long time I did not get the obsession people had with their pets.

Some people treat their pets better than their kids or grand kids. When my kids were young I found this disturbing. Humans are certainly more important than pets aren't they? Especially babies. The babies should come before the pets for sure, right?

Fast forward thirteen years...our family finally gets two pets in one week. We were apprehensive for years because of pet allergies and asthma in our family, but we thought we'd give it a try.

This fella became our "child". I'm not kidding! He is so spoiled. He gets kissed and hugged more than anyone I know. He gets away with more than our kids ever did. Who can resist this gentle, sweet, soft, four legged creature? Awe, isn't he the cat's meow! Ha!


If he's in it or on it or playing with it, it's his, at least for the time being. King, Jack!


But this...not this! I cannot stand a cat on the counter. My daughter captured this moment. Get the sanitizer! I just don't like this. I know he does this when we're not around so cleaning the counters real good is a must.


My daughter loves to pose him. If he's really sleepy you can mess with him a lot. Poor Jack!


Same doll, different day. Oh the humiliation! Well you should hear the stuff he does to us.


Meet pet #two, the mouse hamster, Mattias. Matt for short. He's so sweet. My husband will not touch Matt though. He's just not into rodents.

Now Jack on the other hand is my husband's second son. Oh my gosh! Jack will follow him and try to get my husband to do things for him. It's hilarious!

Matt gets hugged and kissed and played with more than our kids do. You wonder if Jack likes Matt? Well, we keep an eye on Jack.

Some days he can't keep his eyes off of Matt. Once he pulled the cage down onto the floor with a huge crash. Matt was safely sitting very still under the bedding.

He seemed fine, but the cage was in many pieces and had to be reconstructed. Jack was just looking at the mess on the floor. I don't think he knew where the little mousie hamster went.

So if you're wondering why people are obsessed with their pets, just look at Jack and Matt and you'll want one too, unless you are allergic of course. We love them to pieces.


Just one more of stretchy cat. I guess he was very relaxed this day. Pets are fun! Enjoy yours while you can.

Went for a Walk Today

My son wanted to take a walk to a place where we can see down into the valley to take some pictures. I needed a break from our last day of school and I haven't been out much this week so I said sure.

As some of you may know, this is why I haven't been out much this week. My husband had a day off today and he put the new radiator in. It is up and running thanks to him.


I see these a lot around here and I just love them. They smell really good too. So my son took a picture of it for me.

Just then the people came out of their house so I told them how much I liked it and the lady told me it is called California Lilac. I thought I'd like to have one some day, but the bees really like them too. This bush was covered with bees. On second thought...

We have a pet cemetery near our house so we stopped in since we haven't been there for years. A lot of people have their pets buried there and have been since 1958 I think.

Some people leave silk flowers there and some bring fresh once in a while. Most plots are without flowers. Unfortunately the place was full of mole hills, weeds and not mowed.

Some name plates were disturbed because of the mole activity. It's nice that people memorialize their pets, but we'll probably bury ours in the back yard. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Some pets are cremated here. As you can see the dark smoke, cremation was in process while we were there. Some may get squeamish, but death is part of each one's story. Some people and pets are cremated.

This old tree stump was carved into a cross by someone a long time ago.

My sole purpose for this walk was to end up at the Record Espresso stand to get a mocha. I haven't had one all week (not even on Mocha Monday).

However, after we walked all the way down a hill to get the pictures my son wanted, I suggested what I thought was a shortcut. I've lived here 15 years and have never walked down that hill for any reason.

Needless to say, it was not a shortcut. We walked and walked up and down hills for about twenty minues. I didn't know where we were.

We watched cars to see which way they turned hoping that would lead us back to familiar territory. They did and we made it to our street and turned downhill again to go to get my mocha.

I am walking back up hill to go home in this picture. I have my mocha. Yes!! I was so tired (this was my second walk today) because I usually only walk once a week.

This week I walked three days and twice today. My feet are killing me right now. When we got home, the Jeep was all finished and I got to get in and start it for the first time in five days. The engine purred like a kitten. Ha!

Let's see how much I walk next week. One mocha a week is much better for me I know. We'll see.