Happy Birthday To My Darling Daughter

Oh what a happy, happy day. 

My darling girl has......shhhhhh..........another birthday!  She's 42 today.  She just told me that she's starting to dread them now.  :-)   

What a wonderful daughter she's been.  If I'm off doing something fun, very likely I'm with my girl.  She's such a joy.  Not to mention HILARIOUS!  She always has me in stitches.  Sometimes to the point of tears.

Thank you God for this wonderful blessing.  I am grateful.

So, Happy Birthday sweet Dodi Rae.

YMLY

xoxoxo

Mummy

Happy Birthday To My Precious Girl

How Can it be that forty one years have passed since this precious, little treasure came into my life?

I have been so blessed.

I was thrilled when the Dr. told me I had a little girl, I was beside myself with joy.

Still am.

And then she began to talk and develop her own little personality.

She was HYSTERICAL. And. still. is.

She was about three when we started having Mother-Daughter Days, doing whatever sounded like fun at the moment.

We still have them. In fact, we'll be spending the day together today.

A little shopping, a nice lunch and a LOT of laughing.

A lot has happened since those childhood days, of course.

She's become a Mom herself..... that's my sweet, sweet boy in that photo.

They're dressed up for the sock hop at school.

Aren't they just too cute?

And here with her best friend, at Julie's wedding.

My girl has the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known. She has a sense of humor that just won't stop. I laugh until my sides hurt at some of the things she comes up with.

She's back in school again. She's learning all the ins and outs of becoming a paralegal.

I'm so proud of her. She's super, duper smart too.

Not to mention the MOST wonderful mother.

I'm crazy about her.

I'm thrilled that God chose ME to be her Mommy.

It's the bestest thing EVAH.

Happy Birthday Darling Daughter.

YMLY

(Which means Your Mama Loves You.... I've put it on tons of things for her since she was just a little smidge of a thing).

Mummy

xoxoxoxo

All Is Well

My daughter called me Thursday evening complaining of horrible chest pains......well you know my Mama Bird Protection kicked right in......I insisted she call 911. She's 40, and heart problems are unlikely for someone her age.....and she doesn't have a family history, but scary all the same.

Now, she's a single girl and has been on a quest to find a nice, kind fireman for a LONG time.... since high school actually. :-) She's one hilarious chickie, I must say. She was sooooo embarrassed, but because I insisted, she called. That wasn't exactly how she was hoping to be introduced, so to speak.

Her blood pressure was high........no, I mean H.I.G.H! 260/100. Now, I have no idea if it was because her living room was filled with good looking men...... no, she's been having a problem with it for awhile, but said BP meds were for old people. She is SO stubborn.

Well, after a night in the hospital and lots of blood work and a fancy stress test she's home and all is well. So, that's what I've been up to for the past few days.... hanging around the hospital, just being with her.

She IS on medication for that blood pressure now... and calling herself granny.

I am so thankful. God is so good. Thanking Him for his protection.

Update on the testing..... for Moi.

Colonoscopy was clear.....now, that's a picnic I don't want to attend again anytime soon.

The CT scan was also negative.

Which means I still have no answers.

I'll be meeting with the surgeon on Tuesday..... waiting to see what he thinks the next step will be.

Thanks so much your concern and sweet comments. If it rains it pours......and hey, we live in Washington.......that's just the way it is.

Just praising God today.

He is still in control.

And, I am grateful.

Huggies!

Spencer

*the photo is one of the shelves at my daughter's house. :-)

Beautiful Capitols....

Hey Chickies!




I had so much fun touring our Washington State Capitol, it made we wonder what other State Capitols were like.... Oh my goodness....we have some absolutely beautiful architecture here in the US of A! Wow!


I got several messages from chickies who visit capitols of states they visit. Isn't that a grand idea? I want to see alll of them.


My Hubbs' best friend has been to every single state. I would love to do that. Wouldn't that be great? So many things I'd love to see before I go to be with Jesus.



So, in the meantime, I did a little internet search. Here are some of my favorites.


I must say, there were a few that were none too attractive....but they shall remain unnamed.....I'll just share these lovelies.



The one above is Wisconsin. So pretty.

I sure hope I haven't messed up the order here.... and given New York to Kansas or something. :-)

That's exactly why I've procrastinated on doing this post. Yikes!

Vermont

South Carolina

Pennsylvania

Ohio

New York..... I really think one is amazing.....

Mississippi

Massachusetts

Maine

Kentucky

Kansas

Iowa

Indiana

Indiana



Georgia

Florida

Wasn't that fun? Aren't they amazing? Are you inspired to take a little trip to you very own State Capitol??


My darling Hubbs was out of town this weekend so I had a sleepover party with my daughter and grandson.... I LOVE spending time with them.


My daughter and I sorted and organized her scrapbooking room. Lots of walks down memory lane.....and some tears.

Now, let me tell you.... I RARELY cry. I don't know where my tears went, but they just don't come anymore........well, they sure did this weekend.

My little grandson is ten.... TEN! That went by soooo quickly....it was so sweet to revisit all those sweet little baby pictures.... Oh my gosh, he was such a cutie.....some notes from my Mum to my daughter and pictures of my son-in-law and grandson together. My son-in-law was killed in a car accident when my precious little grandson was only 2 1/2.... it's a sad thing to see him want a daddy...... and that shows up in his artwork sometimes too. Bless his heart. I love him so much.....and that WILL make me cry.



Ok chickies!..... off to start another busy week. I'm having a day with my BFF tomorrow. We're just a smidge behind....we haven't even done our Christmas together yet. Brother....



Huggies and lovies!!!


Spence



All photos nabbed from various sites on the net.

Happy Saturday Sweet Chickies!

Popping in to say a little hello to you dear ones.


Things are still really busy, but I wanted to thank you for your prayers. You coul


My girl is just about back to normal and feeling pretty darn good.


The pain has leveled off and she's got her spunk back.


Thank you Jesus. :-)


Next surgery: The hubbs.... Friday.


He has a torn rotator cuff. YIKES. Now, this fella NEVER complains about ANYTHING. He's super duper healthy and has a pain threshold that most of us can only WISH for.....but this shoulder thing has him hurtin'. He's a bike rider and tennis player so this is really cramping his style..... That, and he has a pain in his hip. Good gravy....you think that's enough...??? NOPE.... he passed a kidney stone a few days ago too.


All this from the non-complainin' fella.


Poor baby.


Going to need a LOT of TLC.


I'm popping in as I can....trying to return your sweet notes.


Gosh I know a LOT of wonderful peeps.



Huggies to all.


xoxoxoxoxo


Spencer

Oh How I Love My Birthday Girl! Let's Celebrate Pink Saturday Too!

April 10th, 1971..........One of the VERY happiest days of my life......

Even as a little girl myself I dreamed of growing up and being a mommy......It's all I ever really wanted. And, I so hoped to have a little girl.




Oh how God blessed me.



Today is that little girlie's Birthday.



Where have 39 years gone?



I can hardly believe it.


If you have a little one enjoy this special time........It'll be gone before you know it.


I don't know why her eyes look brown in nearly all of these pictures.



They were SOOOO blue!



So were my grandson's until about two years ago or so....My daughter's and my grandson's both turned GREEN the same year. Isn't that odd?

Baby Dodi...........on her first birthday......sorry the picture is so blurry. I had to scan old pictures.

One and a half........Isn't she adorable?

I had to throw this picture in........I shared a picture of her on Easter wearing this as a pinafore over a dress.........she wore it for a LONG time.......now over jeans. Boy we got a lot of mileage out of it! :-)


She was crazy about pink.......(and still is)....and wore it all the time.



And, had a PINK room too.



Just look at that lovely 1970's style..........GROOVY!

Reading in bed........she still likes to have a good book or magazine in bed... :-)

Growing up........Nine years old...........



Yep, still loves jewelry too!

My sweet girl with the doll I made for her. It was the year that Xavier Roberts' Little People came out..........they were $125.00.......way out of my budget, so I made this doll for her.


Don't know exactly what was going on with her hair......I can't think of any good excuses either.


Fortunately she knows how to handle her hair now and is known among her friends as the girl with the shampoo ad hair.....It's BEAUTIFUL!


Look at those freckles!

And, the first day of school her senior year......


I took her picture coming out of that very same door every single year on the first day of school.




As I was putting this post together I thought how silly I was not to have used her birthday pix through the years...... I'll remember that next year!



I had a hard time rustling these up......My sweet daughter's been over many times going through the old snaps, so MANY are missing....



She was such a joy as a child and has grown into the MOST wonderful woman.

I'm so proud of her..........Sooooo proud.



She has a WONDERFUL sense of humor. Everyone around her is laughing constantly. She is hilarious. :-)




And, she has the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known. Truly. I've never seen anything like it. So generous and sweet. I learn from her all the time.




She has worked since she was 16..........REALLY.....she wanted a job so badly that she pestered them at the Safeway constantly until they told her they'd hire her as soon as she turned sixteen.........so, the day after her 16th birthday she went to work.........and has worked ever since.


I'll be spending her big day with her.....we're going to go shopping and somewhere yummy for lunch..... I can hardly wait.



My darling daughter...........You are such a treasure. I love you to bits.



I'm the lucky one......and SO blessed.




Happy, Happy Birthday!


Mummy


xoxoxoxox


Y.M.L.Y.


PS............I laughed myself silly over some of the comments on my Easter post.......


A couple girlies referenced the VINTAGE pictures...........OH MY! :-)




That's when you're sure you're older than dirt.



And, now that you've made it through that really long post.......I know you'd love to peek at some lovely pinkies.......


Please go and have yourself a little visit with Miss Beverly at:


www.howsweetthesound.typepad.com


Huggies and Lovies,

Spencer

Happy Easter Sweet Chickies!

Happy, Happy Easter to you and yours!

Isn't this a sweet and precious time of year?

All sorts of new beginnings.

And, the celebration of our Jesus' resurection.

Glorious.

Easter Sunday, 1952.

My Grandma...........Oh how I loved her. She sang like an angel and was the dearest little lady....and my Gramps. What a wonderful man he was.

And, of course, my big sister, Donna. This would be her last Easter.....She passed away the following year on Easter. She was the MOST beautiful little girl... INSIDE and outside. I still miss her.

A five your old Spencer........Easter Sunday 1955.

My neighbor gave me those shoes. They were my very first pair of buckle shoes and I was so thrilled I slept with them. To this day I can remember where my bed was! And, believe you me..........that was a LONG, long time ago. :-)

I wish I had asked my Mum where I got the little outfit. I think my Grandma may have made it for me, but I'm not sure.

And, a five year old Dodi ..........My adorable daughter.....in her bunny dress. I made it for her from one of those fabric prints you were supposed to make into a pillow. She LOVED it. I love her little salt water sandles. Oh my.......we bought those year after year.

Isn't she darling?

We're having Easter dinner together......the four of us.....my darling Hubbs, sweet daughter and precious grandson.............as per his request.........Salmon. :-)

And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to HIS name.

Romans 1:4-5

Wishing you abundant blessings this wonderful day.

From our home to yours!

Hubbs, Spencer, Darling Dodi and treasured Grandson.

xoxoxoxo

*****************************

PS.............Is anyone else having trouble leaving comments on posts?

I've been to MANY that leave blank spaces when I type my message???

Holy Moly...

Weird.

Oh NO! Not Again......

Hi Girlies!

My poor little daughter....

Remember this post?

http://bellamerecottage.blogspot.com/2009/07/praising-jesus-thank-you-for-protecting.html

Yep, that's how the passenger side of her car looked on the 4th of July last year.

The nincompoop who drove right through the stop sign slammed right into the car where my little grandson was sitting.  It scared the daylights out of him.  And, my daughter, of course.

They got the car fixed and were pretty much past that event when....

Danged in some nincompoop didn't plow into her again today.  On. the. same. side.

Where my little grandson was sitting.

Hit and run.

So, the first one went on my daughter's insurance and this one will as well.

Is that fair?

She's so upset.

Fortunately this time it wasn't nearly as bad as last time.

She did have a witness, but she didn't get the license plate.

It all just happened too fast.

As you know, if you've been following for awhile.........she's a single Mom, just trying to do things right and do the best she can.  My son-in-law was killed in a car accident so you can imagine how hard this is for both of them.

But, God is good.........isn't He?  

We are so blessed to know and love him.  He saved them from harm and that's the most important thing.

We're a grateful family.

I'm a grateful Mum and Hemma.

Lovies and Huggies,

Spencer

Things That Make Me Smile......

Hey there little Sweeties!

I've told you before about my little grandson......oh how I ADORE this child!.....Well, he stays with us a lot.....his poor Mummy needs a little break since she's doing this little gig by herself....   :-)

I asked him to set the table for dinner and before I knew it he'd been into his art supplies (I have a large selection for him here) and made flowers for the table....

Is that not the cutest thing ever?

I was soooo tickled. 

I'm going to save them to put on my desk when I get the den finished.

He knows what I like, that's for sure.

As you probably know, his daddy died and his Mum has been single for seven years now.  She was thinking it might be time to date again but it's not easy meeting nice people.......  Her friend told her to try eHarmony......she said she didn't have the money for that so her wonderful, dear, sweet friend told her to sign up and she'd pay for it.

Well..........she met a dud.  And then..............she met the nicest guy.

This is still very new and we can't know where it's going to go, but she's soooo happy and that makes her Mama happy.

It's been a long time since someone has told her she's funny and beautiful......well, I tell her, but you know what I mean?

I covet your prayers for her..........and for my little fella...........that if this is God's will that everything will fall perfectly into place.  She soooo deserves it. 

So, that's my story girlies....

I'm going to go to the Sewing Store tomorrow to learn how to use the ruffler for my sewing machine.....finally!

I'll let you know how that works out.  It's been nothing but frustration so far.

Huggies and Lovies!

Spence

xoxoxoxox

Thank You Lord For Protecting My Family.....

This adorable little fixture used to be in my daughter's hallway.....As you can probably tell....not so much anymore.

My girl was in the bathroom.....just a few feet from this fixture.....doing her hair and getting ready for work this morning when flames came shooting out of this little light.

She managed to blow it out....I know....she should have called the fire department, but she was in a panic.....she realized that after she calmed down. She's a lot like I am....I don't handle panic very well either.

Fortunately they were not sleeping.

God is soooo good. Thank you Father for your protection......AGAIN.

She considered getting it repaired, but decided to just go buy a NEW fixture. Maybe she can just use this one with candles or something. She actually bought this darling little thing on eBay and had it all rewired. I don't know what caused the problem.

I'm just more than grateful that my girl and my little guy are OK....


On the colonoscopy/endoscopy front.........Glad that's over!

Here's a hot tip.......just in case one of these delightful tests is in your future...

CRYSTAL LIGHT!

My Dr. said I could mix some into that nasty GoLytely....I'd double check with your Dr. to be sure, but it helped quite a bit. It's not going to be my bevvie of choice anytime soon, but it did help.

Colonoscopy: Perfect

Endoscopy: It seems I have a little bit of narrowing in my esophagus so he stretched it a little bit. My throat's a tiny bit sore, but no big deal.

And, there were some inflamed spots in my tummy so he sent them off to be biopsied, but he's quite sure it's nothing to worry about. Best to be safe though.

And, I got to sleep LOTS yesterday without guilt. YIPPPEE!

Thank you so much for all of your kind words and prayers. Not to mention some REALLY funny comments.

What wonderful gals you are!


Have a wonderful, fabulous, terrific day!

Huggies and Lovies,
Spence

It's Already Pink Saturday? How Did That Happen????

I just can't believe how quickly this week zipped past. Whew........It seems as though it should only be Wednesday. Holy Cow!

I hope your week has been wonderful and full of fun.




I've done several projects so I'm pretty darn pleased with myself.

I've said before that since my Mum passed away I had lost all of my get-up-and-go........

By golly, I think I'm getting a bit back! Yippppeee!

This picture is from my darling daughter's house. Those little figurines are my very favorite things of hers. She's actually offered to give them to me because I love them so much.....but I must say.......... I love her more and it makes me happy to see them at her house.

I forgot to post this one...........it's from my birthday......YUM!!!! How pretty is that? Well, I have to admit, I actually didn't taste it. I gave up sugar (in March, I think) so my family ate it alllll up....

But it was pretty, wasn't it???

Roses, hydrangea and sweet peas from my yard. I love these roses, but they always get brown bits on them....do you have any solutions to that problem???

Delish vintage.....gotta love it!

And, one of my favorite shelves here.....I do love a great tole tray.

And, I dried the roses from a bouquet for my Mum....I just had to hang onto them.



Ok my little dears. Please go check out Beverly at www.howsweetthesound.typepad.com.

She always has wonderful ladies with lots of YUMMY pinks. Lots of Saturday fun!!


And, I'd really love you to meet Rebecca @ RebeccaRoseDesigns.blogspot.com

You will love her little handmade shoes. Adorable!


Have a wonderful week little sweeties.

Huggies and Lovies,
Spencer

xoxoxoxox