Lacee's Saturday Garage Sale

It was an interesting morning...kind of chilly, kind of sunny with a fair amount of people, but lots left over. Lacee was concerned, "what am I going to do with all the left over stuff?!" Both she and I took back a few things to keep for people we knew would appreciate them. I gave all Lacee's Barbie stuff to the little girl catty-corner from us. Then I was about to walk across the street to the other kids I thought would like some of the things, but they began to meet me half way. I began, "Guess what?" I asked them and of course they answered, "What?" I told them, "Everything is 100% off. Do you know what that means?" They shouted "It's free???" So, it began and the hands were almost quicker than the eye!

This was a sign Cliff, Ashlee and I made for Lacee's 16th birthday, surprise, bedroom make over and I was glad it was in good hands.

This little guy was shopping for his mom saying, "My mom will really like this," about every second!

It was like having Piranha cleaning us out...we only had a group of Indian corn left (on the table by the tent trailer) and a few clothes. It was amazing and Lacee's problem of not knowing what to do with the things left over, was solved!!

Here are the Piranha (with concealed idenity)!

Busy Last Week...

My weekend last week started with a wedding, then a high school senior shoot, then a ballerina shoot. I think that will do me for a while!! :-)

Cousins Sharon & Terry

We had a surprise call from cousin Sharon night before last saying they were heading North from Tulare (about 2 1/2 hours from here) the next morning and wanted to get in a quick visit. So, I directed them to a Target with a nice big parking lot where they could park their RV. We had a wonderful visit, but way too short! Hugs good-bye...to Target (across the parking lot) to retrieve Lacee Lou...they on their way...we on ours!

Mother's Day Thank You!!

A great big thanks to Ashlee and Corry for the calls on Mother's Day! When everyone gets older and moves away, it's always a little bit harder celebrating holidays without your children. So phone calls brought a lot of heart-full joy! Thanks Ashee Yokee and Apple Core!!!

MOTHERS DAY 2010

Of course, Clifford took the photo below...the only thing I can think of, in which he took a photo of my legs, is that I discovered today on our way to breakfast that I missed a hair when shaving my legs. I must have missed it for several months with it being a 1/2 inch long. Cliff asked if it had a wart on the end of it...what a truly an important question.

Clifford wanted to capture this moment in time...this moment when I asked, "Clifford, please do not get me an article of clothing for Mothers Day"...even after 33 years of marriage the trust isn't there. But, did he listen to me? NOOOOOOOO!!! By the way, listening to each other is a very important marriage tool, just for future reference. No, he did not listen to me, and I have to admit that this very time that he didn't, it actually worked for us. Because he did get me an article of clothing for Mother's day and he wanted to document this moment, so in the future he could remind me that, "yes" he can buy an article of clothing for his wife and she just might like it! A preface, I would have laughed him out of house and home if he had told me what article of clothing he was going to buy for me, because quite honestly, I thought they were out of style and so not cool anymore. But, my thinking was all wrong and I LOVE MY SKORTS!!! There, I have said it. YES, black and beautiful S K O R T S!

Perhaps he/Clifford will forget...yes, forget that he actually got me an article of clothing that I like. In fact, I've decided that I'm going to go and get every color tomorrow and wear them everyday and announce, "I LOVE MY SCORTS, I LOVE MY SCORTS!!!" Well, maybe not every color, but they are cute, aye?!

Oh, and there is something to say about sloths. They do say the cutest and most profound things, because they are a very insightful animal, they are!!!

More Eastman...

We certainly don't take moments like this for granted. We are blessed with life, good health and each other. What a bonus to share quietness, beauty and warm spring sunshine with your honey bunny! To watch the video, click on the title above "More Eastman."

Eastman in April

Despite the circumstances and business of the month, Cliff and I managed a weekend camp trip to Eastman Lake (one of our favorite weekend spots in the foothills only an hour away). It couldn't have been more perfect. The weather was fabulous and the wildlife put on a show for us. We did manage a couple of small hikes, but pretty much just napped and sat in our camp chairs enjoying nature. (photo by Clifford Yokley)

Today...Hope...it's a wonderful thing!!!

Since we left Eastern Oregon in April, Mom and Dad have moved to Meadowbrook into an apartment where they have assisted care if needed and a brand new life and adventure ahead of them. What looked very dim, has transformed into a brighter light of hopefulness. Dad's health has not been completely restored, but his outlook perhaps has. With only 3 weeks since their move, they have participated in almost all the activities on the calendar (per the director of Meadowbrook, who happens to be named Gayle also and we call each other, "the other") and Dad has picked up his horn again. It makes my heart full!!! (photo by Gayle Gazley of Meadowbrook)

Why We Go...

Our parents are why we go to Eastern Oregon. For this particular journey, it was because of sickness. My dad was not well, and it didn't look very hopeful at first. Even though it wasn't the best of circumstance, it was the best of relationships. What a blessing to have long life and being able to spend it with family! (photos by Clifford Yokley)

Eastern Oregon Country

Much of Eastern Oregon looks like this with foothills, mountains and valleys enough to have small ranches and farms. I could never get tired of this. I count myself blessed everytime we visit!!

APRIL...TO BAKER CITY WE GO!

God did work things out so we could get on the road before we thought we could, but then we ran into some questionable weather...okay, no question about it, it was bad weather and we had to change routes. Our original plan was to travel I-80 over Donner Pass, but chains were required and we were in a rental car and the business we rented from told us that we wouldn't be covered if the car was damaged by the chains. So, we turned around and headed northwest to I-5. The new plan added an extra day to our travels because of slow careful driving through snowy conditions. This photo was taken between Klamath Falls, Oregon and Bend, Oregon. To see the video, click on the Title "APRIL...TO BAKER CITY WE GO!"

April is a BLUR!

This is the town of Baker City, Oregon...where my folks live...where we were in the month of April. But before we were in Baker City, we were in Arizona! And...when we returned from Arizona we came home to a phone message telling us that there was suspected credit card fraud on our card...there was! Then the garage door broke, our daughter's boyfriend's dog needed a temporary home (yep she stayed with us the month of April) and then my dad became very ill and we needed to go to "Baker City!" But, then our car broke down before we could go, and we knew that would be another delay. Also, because we had fraudulent charges on our card we needed to close the account and open another. The interesting thing about that is that it takes 14 business days to get a new card. Traveling without a credit card is next to impossible, so we were stuck until we got it (that is another story in itself). So, the stress and urgency I was feeling, when we returned from Arizona, was truly a mountain before me. I came to a place in my heart, that it all was out of MY control, and my trust had to be in God to work all things for good....And He did! Now looking at this photo, I can remember the remarkable story God traveled us through, to get to "Baker City," and April isn't a blur anymore.