2011 Sikiu Camp out

We camped on at the mouth of the Sekiu River on the furthest most tip of
Washington on the Straits of Juan De Fuca burr it is cold in the shadows but the sun was out everyday and we had such a wonderful time My Son lives there and I played cribbage with him and my grandson we walked on the beach and talked we eat, fresh crab and salmon lots of conversation and to top it off my Niece and her husband came up Yahoo it was so nice to see them...When we are up there agate hunting is my favorite thing to do and I went every day the agates were few and far between but I did get some really nice ones, they are all polished up and in my jar of memories of Sekiu. I love to look at them and for me they are like diamonds, they are one of my special treasures, along with my family and grandchildren.  I am a happy woman

The mouth of the Sekiu River, the tide is in

James--Steven & Jerry--Our Gang - Priscilla and Jim with us



We had such a wonderful time in Sekiu with my Son and his Son James

After glow from the Pacific West quilt Show in Tacoma--Wow

Wow is all I can say it was a wonderful show, the quilts were exquisite the best I have ever seen, but the best part was working with and meeting so many wonderful people, you see volunteers made the show, as a Association member we were the glue that made it work, being the first one in Tacoma there were some bumps they were little compared to the beauty and greatness of the show, it was the best. Elizabeth Spanning deserves a hand for doing so much to make it all happen she was the whip, the glue the support for all of us who did our best to fill all the spots that needed covering, she deserves a yahoo from all of us.  My Dragon Vest made it to the show but no ribbon the winners were over the top I feel special just having mine stand with the winners I feel like a winner.  Congratulations to all the winners and all that stood with them the judges had a big job there were so many who should have had a ribbon but not enough catagories, just being in the show made you feel like a winner, yahoo to everyone who helpped to make it a great show. Thank you to all who helpped to make it happen.  Happiness is getting to know Lynn I hope we stay connected

No matter how hard you try - know there is always someone to put you down

The important thing is how you handle it, I mean the slings and arrows aimed at your ego, the put downs and general rudeness towards you, it could even be ignoring you they are all aimed at you and they all hurt...I usually ignore the little digs or put downs but today they went straight to my core. I had two today.
The first one just made me mad, I was ready to cut the ties walk away but I reasoned to not do anything and just wait,  Acouple of weeks ago told my granddaughter to just walk away when someone is trying to pick a fight, nothing is worth the energy lost in conflict, just turn away.  Believe me it is not easy but in the long run it is the best and only thing to do. 
I basiclly got over the first one and bang again broadsided by direct and general rudeness, I could not believe it.  It was a true insult, I could have made an issue of it but my heart said no;" when things go wrong do not go with them " Old saying of mine so I walked away.  It takes time to get over a direct insult, this is something I will have to work on.  It made me both mad and ready to fight so I just walked away, seathing and it was not easy walking away from a situation I did practice what I preach.  For me it will take sometime for me to forget but I do forgive both parties.
My soul is the only thing I can not control, wouldn't it be nice if everybody loved and cared about you and your needs.  Yes, wouldn't it be lovely.

Association of Pacific West Quilters 2011 Quilt Show is coming Yahoo

Yes everybody the really big show is coming this August 25th, 26th 27th and 28th--Thats right in Tacoma Washington so mark your calenders and call up your friends - come have some fun with other quilters. If you volunteer for some floor time or other helping hand your entry fee is free so get crack-en we are going to have A REALLY GREAT SHOW THIS YEAR , you do not want to miss it.  Go to our Web Site APWQ and sign up for a great time and fellowship, also check out the Saturday mini classes they are going to be great little bits of insight and techniques to take home and try.....See you there.

Camping with some of our gang

Sam's first cribbage game

Hailey talking to Mom and Katie

Wyatts set and lit his first fire





When do we eat?

Do we get seconds

  

Everybody loved the Uno games and cribbage. scooter races on the hill
 Lets see there was Karol, Donald, Kayla, Katie, Debra, Sherm, Laura. Melissa, Sam, Elizabeth, Kate, Ernie, Wyatt, Hailey, Jerry and the G-Mom Delaine they were not there at the same time but most were.  The food was great even the upside down pie before the coons got to it it is a long story one we will remember for many a year.  We took hikes and walked the beach, I of course was always looking for agates not a very good beach for them but I did find four nice size ones, I missed a lot of goings on because I was always looking down.  It was too cold and damp for swimming, but we were lucky it only rained on us once for about ten minutes not enough to worry about.

 Camping has been a family tradition it is harder each year getting everybody together what with the younger ones out of school and working to get tuition, and the new jobs in general we were lucky this year to have so many join us.

Leader of the pack



We actually got some sunshine

The best that you can be

Just pondering life again and I wondered just how many actually get up and commit to being the best that they could be each day?  How many actually think about their action first, and commit to not letting anyone ruin their day? Sounds easy but you know the drill the first person that walks into your day has a sour attitude and it sets the pace for the whole day; why not beat them to the punch and commit to being happy and productive despite the reality of our lives.  What a different world it would be the sour puss is cut off at the get go with a "good morning, what a wonderful day it is" and a big smile.  Try not to smile back it is not easy smiles are contagious and it has been proven that it takes less muscle power to smile than to frown. 
When I was going through my divorce I would walk to the mirror every morning and say " I will be happy " even if I had to grinch  my teeth to say it, and there were days when there were tears.  I willed myself to be happy and it worked, happiness came to me.  It took time but I was ready for it, and when I look back to those dark days I know that being positive changed the direction of my life.  We are in control of our little space in this world we make our own destiny.  My favorite saying is "When things go wrong don't go with them", and it is just that simple.

Stand up to the dark side and bring light into the room, we can not change 'the' world but we can change where we stand that is our world; by being positive and supportive of others we can make a difference..  Look around and see who is having a bad day and go and encourage them, maybe just a wink will turn their day around, a pat on the shoulder, or a simple "ata girl or boy'.  Nothing is more up lifting than to have someone, say you did a good job; or "your really know how to do that well".  Simple positive gestures are free gifts we can give to others and then the magic happens it come back to you, three fold.  Sounds to easy, well try it for a month and see for yourself it is one of the truisms in life.  And it is free to all who wish to improve their days.

Happy 4th of July

Independence Day

I raised my children to be independent and they are free thinking individuals, strong and standing on their own.

I am a very fortunate woman because all my children love each other.  Some how I was able to instill in them tolerance and patients and an unbreakable bond to each other, that also includes me.  That does not mean we are all perfect, quite the contrary we are diverse and very opinionated, strong willed and stubborn, but when it comes to family we over look the little things; and hold on to the important thing “family love and respect”.  We are passing on the heritage handed down to us from my parents and grandparents we are a family and that includes all of us...

We understand and have learned that demanding to be right, and demanding an apology, is a selfish act, one that makes the demander small in character.  Why do some never forgive little errors in judgment and always remembering every word the offender said, all the while ignoring their own mean remarks?  Why do some use words as a tool to hurt and divide members of their family? Why do some families isolate one member to make another happy or to win anothers love?

The whole thing is cruel and torturous treatment to all concerned.  A family is a sum of its members; each member needs to work to keep sacred the bonds of love and respect.  That bond of love holds us together.

Today we celebrate the American family; our ancestors came together and established a nation of states. Each state is different, all are individuals each keeping their individuality but all working together to make one nation under God.  We are the strongest nation in the world.  We are a beacon to those who have been held down and betrayed by their leaders, they seek to be free like the United States; they want their independence and freedom.  Together we are united as a nation; that is our strength. 

Wow, could that be the same for a family? Of course it is.

Is it that simple? Is that the key, United States, United Nations, United Families, there I go again finding another truism, a truth, right out of God’s word and it applies to the whole world.  As a Nation, we stand United and as a family we stand together united in love and respect, by choice we are united so enjoy this day, Our Independence Day.

Have a wonderful 4^th of July