Let's Change Things Up a Bit

So I decided to temporarily change the picture at the top of our blog. This picture was taken Labor Day 2006 when the family got together to gather strength and give hugs after Cris' ALS diagnosis. You can see we had a great time and accomplished our goal. I need to learn how to make a nifty collage like Tiff and others do--that will come. I decided to share just a few pictures today to illustrate how grandkids can make you smile.

#1 Liesl and Clara being the cutest sisters in California.

Tasha and Bella won the title of cutest sisters in Nevada.

Christine and Rachel took Oregon hands down.

Now the boys---Riley, Jack and Charlie and Owen tied for the California title. (That's my cute Mom, Gramma Decker)


Mr. Owen--big 1st grader.



Seth and Luke look like bestest brothers and along with Ricky won Oregon.
Ricky--Kevin and Tracey's #5.


So there you have it. Today's sunshine. Love to all, Carol

The Finished Garage!!!

The garage reno is complete and the pictures don't do it justice. It's clean, organized and much cooler (insulation). Now that I look at the pictures I see my next project should be to re-do the floor--paint, rubber tiles, etc. We'll see. Notice the clean white walls--this is new for us.

Notice the nicely stacked shelves with labeled boxes. OOOhhhh.
The washer/dryer and fridge are so happy together.
Can you see the smile on the Outlook's face?
A good day's work deserves a reward. . . .that's alls I'm sayin'.Especially since after I finished the garage, we took Gramma Rogers and her two compadre's out to dinner. They are officially called the Three Mousketeers. After loadin' them up--I must belt each one of them in and then unbuckle them upon arrival. I'm trying to rack up some good karma for when I'm old.

Rachel's happy day.

The finished princess quilt.

The package arrives.
It's the PRINCESS QUILT!!
And here's the princess on it.

Let's just say. . . . this is what being a gramma is all about. . . fun, fun, fun.

GHETTO GARAGE NO MORE!!

I just had to share some good news with everyone. Our garage is experiencing a reno. Yup, after 29 years at 1812 El Portal Drive it's time to upgrade the garage. Why have we not done it before? There was always something more important that needed our attention/money. It is now time to be rid of the ghetto garage look and embrace a new, clean, insulated, organized space in which our Saturn Outlook can be happy. Today you're getting the "before" pictures. The after pictures will come soon. . . . very soon. Painting begins tomorrow and then the putting-away-all-the-stuff happens. It's gonna be great people.

At first glance you might think--that's not so bad. Look closer.
We consider this our "attic" storage--boards up in the rafters. I'm not even sure what's up there.
OK, I just threw this one in because Clara is incredibly cute. She loves to laugh and smile.
Studs against the wall, no insulation, tar paper walls. Yup--pretty sad looking. In my defense, we don't have THAT much "stuff". And it's mostly labeled.
This is our guy Earl on stilts mudding the drywall. Completed pictures will arrive upon completion. And you guys didn't think we had any excitement in our life. Psha! If you want excitement I could tell you stories----sorry, not for blogging.

PARKS PALS TEAM--Walk to Defeat ALS

Walk to Defeat ALS 2006
Thought I'd share these cute pictures of some of our munchkins supporting Papa in the ALS Walk in 2006. We were actually on a trip with Em and Sherod and could not attend the walk but Becca rallied her troups (her generous heart volunteered to watch Em's boys so we could have this special trip together) and participated in the walk.

This year we are all fired up. PARKS PALS is our name--raising money for research and services to those affected by ALS is our game. We have been the recipient of services and medical equipment and we can't tell you how much it has helped. There IS hope--we just have to find the answer. In the mean time the services we receive improve quality of life and sometimes even extend it.

Here's a link to our webpage is you're interested in having a looky-loo. Please don't feel obligated in any way. We just wanted you to know what we're up to.

http://web.alsa.org/site/TR/Walks/GreaterLosAngelesWalk/1773420735?px=1566440&pg=personal&fr_id=4260

Charlie's cooking day with Gramma

Today was Charlie's day to bake with Gramma and he of course chose cookies. He loves to crack the eggs and is getting more in the bowl than on the floor.
After the eggs he wants his hands wiped cuz they're slimy.
The best way to mix in the chocolate chips is with your hands. Spoons are not as much fun.
Mixing, mixing, mixing. Let me know when you're done Charlie.

The finished product. Yum, yum, yummers. Chocolate chip and stinkernoodles (snickerdoodles)

What I did on Labor Day

Rachel and Christine. Look at that face--now that little girl needs a princess quilt.
Quilt 3/4 complete. It takes math skills to make one of these babies.
Princesses all over the place.
Now that's what I'm talking about.

Our Labor Day was full of accomplishments and fun. We/I cleaned house, did 3 loads of laundry, did grocery shopping, had lunch at Leo's with Becca and family and then. . . . . . .I really had some fun. I've been learning how to make quilts the way my mom does. This is all done over the phone so sometimes things get lost in translation from verbal to actual. Here's the deal: at the kids auction at our reunion Rachel disolved in a heap of tears because she lost the bid for "The Princess Quilt". Now I cannot stand when my grandchildren are sad and I know I can fix it. So I hug and kiss her and tell her "Gramma will make you a Princess Quilt". "Gramma, do you know how to sew"? "Yes dear, I know how to sew". "Do you have a machine"? "Yes dear, I have a machine." So, I call my mom and ask her where she got the princess fabric and lo-and-behold----it's Walmart. Score the very next day. Here are pictures of my yet unfinished quilt. Another couple of days and it'll be ready to mail. Rachel has the memory of an elephant and KNOWS it's coming.

Tomorrow is Charlie's day for cooking with Gramma. Yes, there will be a report.