"Happy Birthday" Mrs. Murphy

Shelly,
Just want to wish you a very happy birthday. I can't believe it's been another year already.
You are such a blessing to our family and my son. I am so grateful that you have been there for him. I hope that these next three years fly by.
You make such a sweet Auntie too!
Happy Birthday.
Love, Baby Dino's Mom
& family.

Shelly is a beautiful Christian woman, has a fantastic singing voice too. She is a wife, teacher (Spanish) and a lot of fun to be around.
She lived with me for almost a year, before they got married. We have a lot in common. First, we both love Ryan, love hydrangea's, have similar taste in fabric and decorating. Visit her blog, she already made their bathroom look adorable. We liked watching the same TV shows, America's Next Top Model, and Next Pussycat Doll. Yea, they are a waste of time but we liked it.

Shelly in front of their house in California.

Shelly and Ryan at Claim Jumpers for her birthday. Ohh the Cheesy Potato soup there is delicious.

Having her birthday dinner.

Shelly sitting with a couple of gifts from her husband.

We hope you have a wonderful life together and that it continue on in Heaven.

And don't forget that I am still coming down there this summer and we are going to Disneyland.

My New Addiction.

Yes, I have a new addiction, Strawberry Mango smoothie from Jack in the Box.
As some of you know I am (was) addicted to Diet Pepsi, Coke, anything that has cola in it. I decided a few weeks ago to get rid of that in my diet, after reading abook on health. The title is not appropriate to post, so if someone wants to know the title I can email it to you. I stopped drinking anything with aspartame and nutrasweet. Just google aspartame and look at some of the titles.
What's left but water, water, water and lemonade. I saw one of these drinks advertised on TV and thought I would try it out. I have to have something besides water right? Anyway, I tried one and it was yummy. I have tried the other ones too, Strawberry Banana, Orange Sunrise and this one, Strawberry Mango.
I remember listening to Dr. Diehl at campmeeting one time and his main topic was eating more Mango. So, what better way to get a mango down? I know just eat a fresh one!

I find myself going through the drive thru a couple of times a week right after lunch. So, I can say I am addicted to them. I even skipped eating something for lunch so I could have one...now that is not healthy but, I am taking this one step at a time.
Also, I have chucked dairy products too. Well, for the most part. I had homemade pizza tonight with fresh mozzarella. So tasty!

I Have To Do Everything!

Well, you all know that Tom had a hernia repair last week. So, guess who get's to do everything? You guessed it....ME. I have to work all day, and then come home and do all of the yardwork. Where are my kids when I need them? He has a doctor's appointment tomorrow, I will be going with him to see when he can start doing things again. I need the exercise but, believe me, I am not cut out for all of this. I have to admit that I am sleeping better. Must be from all of the activity.

Tom is recovering quite well, don't you think?

While I was outside, after doing all the yard work, I decided to walk around the yard and see how our fruit trees were doing.
Our poor old Peach tree is still producing, although it is going to be replaced by a younger tree that we planted next to it. The peaches are always ripe in July, so we don't have much longer. So many branches have broken off over the years, but we are still counting on the peaches.

Our little Pluot tree is doing quite well, it is only two years old and loaded this year. Shouldn't be to much longer before they are ready to pick. Of course we will have to share with the birds, they tend to attack the fruit. Last year we covered the tree with netting, they pecked right through it. But, there is enough for us and God's little creatures.

This is my favorite spot in our yard. It is just an area we created for relaxing. There is a Bistro Set nestled between a Camphor and Apple tree which is overtaken by Wisteria. Someday, when I retire, and I said when not if, I plan to spend numerous hours out here having my worship, relaxing and maybe even doing some bird watching.

Another view taken from across the yard. Just looking at these pictures gives me a relaxed feeling.

Precious Moments!!

Lawren and her mommie, Kathleen, came to help Grandpa recover from his surgery. While they were here, they decided to take a walk to my office, which is only a little over a mile away. It has been pretty warm outside. She is so good about keeping her hat and sunglasses on. It was such a nice surprise to have them visit. I only wish they lived closer, like in the same town, that way I could see them everyday and Lawren could be my little filer.

She is helping me on the computer. I need all the help I can get!

Lawren and her mommy at Grandma's work.

They also did a lot of swimming while I was slaving away at work. Tom is going to be off for a month or more. One of us has to work...guess that would be me! Anyway...
She is only 17 months old and can already jump off the side of the pool. She so advanced!
She is thinking about how she is going to go swimming, do I want to jump in or go in a little at a time????

Lawren is going to be a very good swimmer. She loves the water, she can kick-kick-kick. She even knows how to go under water and not take any into her lungs. Guess how we found that out??? I was out in the pool with her while her mommy was in the kitchen scrubbing my floor. Lawren and I stepped down into the water, Lawren first then Grandma. We were on the first step and my big foot got in her way and she took a nose dive, hands first, right into the water. I was right there to pull her out. When she came up out of the water she had a shocked look on her face but there were no tears, no gasping, nothing. I just said to her, in a calm voice, just like I did when Corey or Ryan would fall into the water, before they learned to swim, and believe me it happened more times than not, but I would always tell them, Good Job! They would be so proud of themselves. Well, Lawren seemed okay with it but I had to go let her mommy know and her mommy was NOT okay. I thought she was going to strangle me. All of this didn't change Lawren from wanting to swim because she was right back in the water.

A while back, Tom and I bought a couple of Crepe Myrtle Trees at Home Depot that were mismarked. We purchased two 10 gallon trees for $29.00 each. Anyone, that knows about buying plants or trees, knows that had to be an error. Anyway, we are sitting outside enjoying our granddaughter and Tom happens to look up at one of the trees and here is this gorgeous blossom. If you look closely to the left of the blossom you will notice a little bee flying around.

Lawren wanted to go for a walk with her PaPa, but of course she got to lead the way. No, Tom is not carrying a purse on his right shoulder, that is his On Q pump for pain. Amazing! It's time for Lawren to leave and she got to push her dollies outside in their stroller. She didn't want to leave Grandma and Grandpa's house but she was anxious to get home and see her daddy.
I finally am able to load a video. I have been trying to do this since I started blogging. So, I hope you enjoy this short clip of Lawren pushing her dollies. Just ignore my dippy voice, I still think I sound like Mr. Moose.

Teena's A Blogger

Yes friends, we have another blogger. Teena finally sat down yesterday and worked on her blog page. I have been bugging her for months to do one. You will all have to visit her page and let her know that you are excited for her because she is not one to spend a lot of time on the computer because of her five kids plus her daycare children.
I have a link to her page under my friends that blog but just in case I will leave you with her address...www.teenmarie.blogspot.com.
I case some of you are wondering, we found a home for Toby, her dog. I posted him on Craigslist and in one week he was with another family who lives out in the country where Toby has lots of room to roam. Thank you Lord.

Fathers Day and Bed Pan Day!

For Father's Day, Corey and Ryan drove up from down south and took their father for a day on the golf course. I went with them. I didn't play but I did get to drive the cart. The weather was perfect, not to hot, had a slight breeze.

Corey and Ryan watching the pro (their father) show them how it's done.

Ryan getting ready for his next amazing shot.

Corey is watching how far he actually drove the ball. I think it went a good 150 yards, if not more.

Ryan is checking out the angle for a straight putt.

Tom had to stop for a pottie break and Corey could not resist going over to the building and shaking it. He is still so ornery. He would say he got it from his momma.
Corey, Tom and Ryan. Corey won by one stroke. They had a great time together.

I got to be in charge of the golf cart. What fun that was. I will definately do that again.

Father's Day was yesterday.
Okay, now for the bed pan part. Tom went in today for a hernia repair.
Jane, one of the outpatient nurses, is getting Tom ready for surgery.

He is in recovery here, he was such a good patient.

Just got Tom home in bed and he is already talking on the phone. Notice the On Q pump around his neck. It is for pain control.

Lawren and I took a little break by the pool while Grandpa took a nap.

Some Major Panes!

No,I'm not talking about my pains, although I have a few but we won't go there. I am referring to new window panes that were installed at my church. What a difference in cosmetic appearance and light inside of the sanctuary.
We purchased a certain number of windows awhile back, when they arrived they delivered one extra. I think the Lord knew what was going to happen because as soon as the new windows were installed someone threw a wine bottle through one and shattered the window. Well, since we just happened to have an extra window, we were able to install it immediately. Isn't the Lord good!

Here is a picture of the Church side exit.

The back of a Sabbath School Class.

Another view from the back of the Sabbath School Classes.

And, since we're on the subject of Church, I thought I would include this picture of Lawren in her new Sabbath Dress. They had family time at her Church and she went up front to sing some songs with her class.

Working and Relaxing?

Just to let you all know that I am down in Loma Linda having a great time with Ryan. He moved into a two bedroom house here and is going to start school June 16 th. He came early to get the place ready so when Shelly, his wife, the other Mrs. Murphy gets here, they won't have a lot of stuff to do and he can start school with no stress. ( If that is possible for Ryan). So, I am here to help unpack boxes etc.
I will have lot's of pictures to post when I return home. I leave tomorrow. I miss home but have to admit that I am really enjoying my visit with my two son's. Yes, Corey is coming today. We drove to LA, Thursday, to watch him interact with his students and watch him and Ryan play basketball.

Here is a pic of Corey reffing a game.

Almost Gotter Done!

Remember this? My garage sale find a few months ago. Well, I have to give Teena the credit, she found it for me.
I had been wanting a white desk to put in my kitchen so I would have a place to blog and pay bills. Searched all over the internet and couldn't find one in my price range. So, I asked Teena to keep an eye out for me, she finds all kinds of stuff. If you need it, she will find it. She happened upon a garage sale, after we had been out that morning, before I went to work. She found this for $20.00. Just what I wanted.
Thank goodness for holidays' because I was able to work on it Memorial Day. Now it looks like I need a new kitchen floor?
Amazing what time and a little paint can do! I used the same color of paint that we used on our kitchen cabinets. Found similar knobs too.

We finally found a vanity we liked, no counter or sink yet. I am not sure if I want to go with Granite or standard counter. Any suggestions? Anyway, we liked this particular vanity because we are limited to space in the bathroom and I really didn't want a medicine cabinet on the wall and I don't have much room for a cabinet or as some would say "chiffonier". We found this at Lowe's. Each side door is actually a drawer you pull out and it has shelves. There is two drawers on the bottom so I can keep our towels in them. Tom hung the light and mirror today. So, we are well on our way to having a completed bathroom. Just have to get a glass company to come measure and install shower.