Not A Whole Lot

I was looking through the pictures on my phone and realized there hasn't been a whole lot going on around here since my sister left. It's been kinda nice, although I've had to convince myself that it's okay sometimes to just sit and relax. Read a book. Watch TV. I tend to feel so guilty because I'm not accomplishing something. 

But it's okay. It's okay.

We took another walk this week on the Interurban trail. We park the car, then walk a mile or two until we find another good place to park, then we walk back to the car. The next time we park at the good place we found and continue walking where we left off. I was telling Chuck how much I'm enjoying it because we set to see a part of the city that you can't see cruising by on the freeway.

When I took this picture the freeway was on our left and a huge shopping mall was on the right. We've shopped at the mall and driven by this so many times and never knew the trail was here!

By the time we reached this point the freeway was on our left. (The trail ended at one point so we actually drove part of the way, down a main road, across the freeway... got out and continued walking.) 

We came across these gorgeous flowers, I'd never seen them before. If you could open the yellow petals all the way they'd be bigger than your hand! Do you know what they are?

Chuck and I went down to the beach the other night. Well, it's not an actual beach like San Diego or New Jersey, but it's more of a marina / breakwater / sitting area. But we call it the beach. It's calming. And peaceful. 

  

So... that's about it. Sunsets and flowers. It's been a quiet, relaxing week and I've enjoyed every minute of it!

Saturday Snippets - Secret Seattle Adventures

When people visit Seattle they go to the Space Needle, the Aquarium, Pikes Market, they might even ride The Great Wheel. 

But just like every city, the locals know the best spots!

So we introduced my sister and great-niece to... 

The Fremont Troll!

He lives under a bridge just north of downtown.

And yes, he's clutching a real volkswagen bug in his left hand.

 

Next we were off to the Gum Wall! Rachel said she heard of one in another city but she's never seen one. It's exactly what it sounds like, where people come from all over to put some gum on the infamous wall. I don't know how often, but occasionally the city will close it down and clean it off, then it begins again!

 

 And yes, she came prepared! 

There were fireworks at our next door neighbors on July 4th; we took a ride on the ferry across Puget Sound; drove up to Snoqualmie Falls; took Nala to Dog Beach... and also spent a lot of time at home, playing games and talking by the fire.

 

We had such a great time. It was hard to say goodbye!

Have you ever been to Seattle?

Have you ever seen a Gum Wall?

What do people visit when they come to your city?

Flowers, Sunsets, Iced Tea

It's time to link up with Rebecca Jo for Thankful Thursday!

This week has me thankful for:

Ice tea on a warm summer day

Big yellow flowers

A friends contagious laughter

Seeing the results of hard work

Family walks

A gorgeous sunset

Walks on the pier with my hubby

Planning a quiet getaway!

Colossians 3:15 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts... and be thankful  

I pray you have peace this week! 

Her Bobin

 Beth was only 2 when she was born.

As far as she's concerned she's just always been there. 

Beth is standing on our coffee table! 

 

One day they were teasing each other about Bob the Tomato. From Veggie Tales. Calling each other every version they could think of: Bob, Bobby, Bobin... and it stuck.

Bobin.

Sharaya's had to endure some difficult things growing up with Beth. The school district would move the special ed department from school to school every year and I hated that. To move Beth and her friends around so they had to learn a different school layout every year, new bell schedules... just didn't make sense to me. 

Well for one year all 3 of our girls went to the same elementary school. It was just a few blocks from our house so I'd walk them to school in the morning and they would all walk home together in the afternoon. I guess one day a bunch of kids who lived down the street from us ended up throwing rocks at Beth and a few of the rocks hit Sharaya and Diana as well.

Another time Beth ended up under her desk at school and didn't want to come out. They couldn't get her to tell them what was wrong, she wouldn't move... so they got Sharaya out of her class and had her talk to Beth. I still don't know why a school would do that, instead of calling the parent.

But Sharaya just did it, just took care of Beth when it was needed. She never made a big deal out of it, she just did it. One time, Sharaya would have been about 4 years old, Beth was six - this was before cell phones so I had the video camera out and was recording them as they played in the front yard. The toy Beth was playing with broke and before I knew it Sharaya had put her toy down, went over to Beth, fixed her toy and went back to playing. I stood there just flabbergasted. This 4 year old... already looking out for her bigger sister. This is just the kind of person she is.

Well for more than 20 years they've called each other Bobin. When they see each other Sharaya will say, "Hi Bobin" and Beth will respond, "That's you."

Sharaya grew up, got married, and for a few years she dealt with her husbands addiction, now she's raising a daughter by herself... she's been through a lot and she and Beth don't have a lot in common anymore. Life can be really hard and the solution isn't always as easy as fixing a toy.

But as busy as Sharaya is, she still finds time for Beth. She'll take her to the theater, they sometimes go out to lunch, the movies. Sharaya still makes a point of including Beth. Of finding things that Beth likes to do and doing them with her.

Sharaya's a remarkable woman. The Lord knew exactly what He was doing when He gave her to us. He knew Beth would need a Bobin in her life and He gave us the best!

Saturday Snippets

Had a great time with my sister. We all got in a circle and prayed before she left and as she was pulling away we locked eyes and both began to cry!

I worked hard before she got here to make sure the front garden looked nice and I'm so glad I did!

 

 Chuck and I stopped for lunch after his infusion on Tuesday. Shhhh, we didn't tell anyone!

I'm going to work tomorrow. With Covid regulations our whole staff is working on Sundays now to disinfect the Sanctuary seats, door knobs, bathrooms... after every service. It takes a village!

I hope you're having a great weekend!

A Quick Update

My sister and great niece with their truck, travel trailer, 2 tortoises and a german shepherd all pulled out around noon today. We had so much fun while they were here and I'll write more about their visit in another post.

 

Chuck had his third infusion on Tuesday and we've been told this is usually when the side affects begin, so they'll be keeping a close eye on him. He's doing really well though, he's working about 55 hours a week and feels good.

I've got a full day of work tomorrow so I'll close. 

I can't wait to get back to reading your posts! 

So Busy - So Thankful

It's Thursday! Go over to Rebecca Jo's blog and link up with us!

This week I'm so thankful for:

Family

Water fights

Washington State Ferry rides

Crepes

Ice cream

Hydrangeas

German Shepherds

My job

Finding $20 in a pocket of old jeans

Waiting for packages to arrive

Uncontrollable laughter

Portrait mode on my new phone!

Sitting at the beach on a beautiful day

I miss you all! I'm hoping to be back to my regular posting schedule in a week or two. I hope you're doing well.

Attitude Adjustment

Thank you for all your comments on my posts. 

I've answered them all in my head. 😁

I got my car washed

 

Planted the begonia Sharaya gave to me on Mother's Day. 

And included the painted rock from Allie. 💖

 

 The bunnies are still showing up every morning.

This week there were two of them.

Work has been... challenging.

I told myself I was done. 

I was going to quit and ask for my old job back.

(I still do my old job, I would just quit all the extra stuff.)

But the Lord has reminded me:

"This isn't my life I'm living. It's His."

And He gave me this job.

I'm doing it for a reason.

It's hard... for a reason.

So now I'm asking the Lord to change my attitude.

Once and for all.

I'm tired of the back and forth.

I'm tired of my bad attitude toward my job.

It's a great place to work.

I love the people.

We have fun.

Change me Lord.

Beth has been walking a lot lately.

Even just around the backyard to get in more steps!

 

Today we're taking my sister and her granddaughter out and about in Seattle. Unfortunately the Space Needle is closed, we want to avoid CHOP... but there are a few places we have in mind.

Talk to you soon!