Neighborly, Over Average, And, They're Baaack!

Beth texted me from the bowling alley last week:

'I have a pizza and sweets to' 

'That sounds good!'

'Yeah. i got my medal and first place'

'What?!? Wow Beth! Congratulations!!'

'Thanks. i will show you and dad my medal to when I get home'

She came in the door and showed me her medal and said she also got $5. I asked if I could take a picture but she said no. A couple days later I'm reading the bowling newsletter and I see:

'The most over average last week was Ms. Beth Anderson as she saved her high game for when it counted the most and it was a terrific 146! She beat her average by a whopping 62 pins!'

Wow, there's over 100 bowlers! No wonder she got a medal and some cash! She hasn't bowled regularly for over 2 years but she's starting out hot! I took these a couple weeks ago -

For quite a while now I've watched our neighbors try to navigate a street corner that was overgrown and dangerous. I finally called the city a couple months ago and was told they've been looking at this corner for a while but haven't been able to move forward due to a power pole that was in the way. Well, this week they showed up! The other corner is much worse than this one and they're fixing them both! I love my city!

 I saw the man out there talking to the workers, he was pointing at areas of the new sidewalk; filled my heart with joy! And I'm so glad the workers got to see exactly who they were doing it for and what a difference they're making in that man's life.

 

We began seeing those old familiar signs: twigs on the porch, tiny sticks, moss, and then one day, there it was. Mrs. Junko had come back to build her nest!

 I took those pictures on Tuesday and when I checked the nest again today...

 Two tiny eggs! They should hatch and be out of the nest in just a few weeks. The Junko's have used this wreath for many years now and I look forward to seeing them every time!

Have you had any fun surprises this week?

What A Way To Start

I go down to a main road and turn right to get to work. I turn left to go to the waterfront. Both are about a mile from my house.

The last few days I've felt a calling to go down to the water. You ever have that? Where you just get this feeling to do something that's out of your routine?

I had to go to work early this morning to unlock some doors and on the way home I felt it again. I believe it was the Lord, calling me, urging me to peaceful waters.

So today I went.

It was 7:30 in the morning and very few people were out. It was so quiet and peaceful. I walked around for a little bit and listened to the silence.

 

As I was getting ready to leave I noticed the sky turn an amazing shade of turquoise. The deeper blue above and then right in the middle... it shined! It was spectacular and I had to thank the Lord for bringing me down there. What a glorious way to start the day!

Teamwork, Easter Flashback, So Ready

We went to the cardiologist a few days ago and he cleared Chuck to go back to work. So tonight, that's where he is, the first time in just over a month! He was so ready. They still don't know what caused him to pass out but he hasn't had any episodes since.

Ally has joined a volleyball league and we went to a game last weekend. Sharaya's the assistant coach, they've been practicing every week for a month or so and this was their first game. It was fun to see the girls work on new skills and learn teamwork.

We had a great Easter. Chuck, Beth and I went to church in the morning then we all headed over to Diana and Peter's for lunch. Peter made lamb and chicken, brussel sprouts, a pasta spinach and cheese dish. Sharaya made the mashed potatoes... everything was SO good! We brought pie for dessert.

After lunch we made our annual trip to the tulip fields. Ally was with her dad but Peter's sister flew in from New Jersey the night before and was able to come with us. It was Easter Sunday, the weather was nice so of course there were a ton of people! But the flowers were gorgeous and we were all together. Nothing better than that.

1995 

(My mom, our girls and one of their friends.)

2022

 

 

I hope you all had a blessed Easter!

Beth Got One Of Those Perfect Moments...

Thank you all for your encouraging comments on my last post. I'm doing much better this week, everyone is healthy, spring has arrived, we've had some blue skies and I feel like I'm starting to get my life back.

Chuck hasn't had any more episodes. He's extremely bored and can't wait to get back to work, once the doctors clear him. We see the neurologist tomorrow.

Sharaya is supposed to see a new place on Saturday. There were two of them, one was a single story, the other is two story. She saw the one-story a couple weeks ago but that was a little small. They'll see the two-story this weekend. This place has a pool, weight room, so many amenities! She's excited to see it!

We went to Diana and Peter's a few weeks ago. Had a fantastic dinner and then sat out by the fire to watch the sunset. They have a spectacular view from their back yard! Peter's sister is coming out from New Jersey in a couple weeks and we're planning a trip to the tulip fields. I'm excited to take some new Tulip Field Family Photos with Peter!

 

The girls pets continue to bring entertainment to us all. The cats run and chase each other and attack each other and fight and sleep cuddled up next to each other... they truly act like any human sisters I've ever known. We got to pet sit Poppy last weekend. Her first overnighter without mom and dad! She did great at night, had fun playing with us, went right to bed, but was a little skittish when she woke up. Came into the bathroom while I put on makeup... but overall she did great!

Before covid hit, Beth was part of a group that bowled every Tuesday. Since covid, they've decided not to start it back up again. But, we've learned there's a different group that now bowls on Wednesdays with a lot of the same people from the original group. So today we drove her to the bowling alley and as soon as she walked in people were yelling her name and coming up to give her hugs. Almost made me cry. We paid for her and were trying to find her a lane and she was getting her things organized when we hear the leader call all the new people out to the lanes. We were trying to hurry Beth along as she was changing her shoes and getting out her ball. It all happened so fast I didn't get any pictures of it. With microphone in hand, John said to the 100 bowlers and employees that all the new people get to throw a ball and try to get a strike. If you do, you get $5.00! There were 4-5 people who went first but no one got a strike. Beth tentatively went out there and I'm quietly praying, "Oh Lord let her get a strike! Please let her get a strike!" And she threw a strike! She did it!! The whole place erupted! It was just one of those perfect moments, you know? Something she'll probably remember for the rest of her life.