Mt.St. Helens

Mt.St. Helens

Saturday, December 31, 2011

good-bye 2011

                                                                                                                             
Take twelve whole months.


Clean them thoroughly of all bitterness,

hate, and jealousy.

Make them just as fresh and clean as possible.



...Now cut each month into twenty-eight, thirty, or


thirty-one different parts,

but don’t make up the whole batch at once.

Prepare it one day at a time out of these ingredients.



Mix well into each day one part of faith,

one part of patience, one part of courage,

and one part of work.

Add to each day one part of hope,

faithfulness, generosity, and kindness.

Blend with one part prayer, one part meditation,

and one good deed.

Season the whole with a dash of good spirits,

a sprinkle of fun, a pinch of play,

and a cupful of good humor.



Pour all of this into a vessel of love.

Cook thoroughly over radiant joy,

garnish with a smile,

and serve with quietness, unselfishness,

and cheerfulness.

You’re bound to have a happy new year


BLESSINGS TO ONE AND ALL FOR 2012 !
Christmas past 1992..ish...
 something sweet for everyone....

one of the handsome men I hangout with ; ).
.Chrismas past... 2002 (ish)

Christmas Eve 2011

Saturday, December 24, 2011

12/24/11

Happy Birthday Jesus!
As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world, too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it, if I choose to read, or play, on the computer, until 4 AM, or sleep untill noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.
I will walk the beach, in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves, with abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And, I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But, broken hearts are what give us strength, and understanding, and compassion.
A heart never broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, I'm not sure that I like being old, but in ways It has set me free. I like the person I have become, and am still growing toward. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!
Love Prayers & Blessings,
Larena

Friday, December 23, 2011

12/23/11

work- put up tree pictures in the bedroom; 2 loads laundry;
joys - call from Dusti.  her granddaughter Riley sang 2 songs to me so CUTE. Grandkids the reason we have children : ) .online pictures of grandchildren & Sebastain
will post pictures another day. I hurt my neck hanging pictures may be small posts next 2 days.
hope every one does something special for themselves and enjoys time spent with family and friends.
Happy Birthday Jesus, and Merry Christmas to all  !

knew this day would come...

the pine street house has just listed at $179,900.  mls #262286
I feel as tho I have been stabbed,(not just punched)in the gut, again.
to add insult to injury there is already an offer on it.
this pain has to stop I cannot continue....I am going back to bed this day can restart later !
really not sure how this picture came up seeings I am on the blog site and the remax realestate web site, but....lord works in mysterious ways !
Day 3 has begun

Thursday, December 22, 2011

December 22nd 2011

 Joys of my day :  Music & Girl Friends!

Day 2.
 sheers up merry hoho to me
 Zane even said sorry I haven't done it before, cuz it looks so much better !
 but Zane was so excited that this is up, it has gotten a great deal of use over the years.
this was day one organizing out back.
I am exhausted so small post, chin is up but arm is done. no fb tonight !  hope everyone is warm and dry !
Blessings, Peace, & Love for all,
Larena 

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

December 21, 2011....day one

my Joys for today, my Mom Loves her calendar, I have enjoyed the card from Camille, and one from Hank & his new family, and the bookmark from Cindy.
 work-I did some organizing out back, Zane yelled, told me next time to tell him...piss off...well meaning kid : )  doing things for myself is where I need to start my rebuilding of me. apparently the pain will always be with me (tho I think it is less if I keep my R arm close to my body, it is in reaching and lifting that pain spasms happen. so keep the arm tucked in !) so finding a balance of work play and rest is my goal for this year of self-improvement
  I sat out in the morning sunshine, played with the puppy, sang loudly , made a pretty card, made a pretty frame, made food for 2 meals.froze them for later.....  full productive day for me .
Zane said the 22nd is actually 60 seconds shorter than the 21st, so we are starting to go the other way soon and why is it that no matter what I say he argues ? I was always taught the solstice is on the 21st... so be it : )
 Thank You Lord, for the opportunity to be the best me I can.
Tomorrow I hope to hang the shears.  

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

December rolls on by

12/16 I left my Island today twice,  and I have to do it again. damn if you only knew how hard it is to get up and out for me.... any way a good time i had I am exhausted. so groceries will wait till the wee hours or another day. we do still have a week or something like that hohoho
I went out this morning for coffee with Kristen. we had coffee and shopping and shopping and delivered some Christmas to the school then the second school and back to my Island.

a bit of rest and Zane wanted to take the dog for a walk on the 4wheeler trail so I went along so that Ivy could go it's good for her... ; ) so a walk in the woods we went. It was beautiful and turns out good for me. I took a picture of our beautiful moody mountains.



from the walmart parking lot : ) there is beauty every where here,



found out the #2 step-son is getting stationed in our area. I am glad they will get to see Washington sucks that I won't get to show it to the kids but somehow I need to let pipe dreams like that go.  and then when I am not being so nice I wonder how it is that he gets the things he wants and gets to deny me everything. bad subject  change. I hope that the family loves the time that they spend here as I Love this country so very much.

sing it louder Elton !


12/20/11
I finally went and got groceries last night glad it is done or as done as I had money for ; )
 I am grateful that I do not have small children to buy for !! the prices of EVERY thing are up.

the shortest daylight day of the year is tomorrow ~~ !! can I hear the hallelujah chorus ! Amen !
I am so happy to have made it this far with no chemical help from a doctor.and with all I have been through recently, I am patting my own back for still being upright, or as Elton says "I'm still standing !" maybe the trip to spring will help me rebuild myself, find myself, start this new chapter of me... I'm in here some where !
 I am taking a organization class online starting January 17th it is 8 weeks and the before pictures are pretty bad but I have extremely high hopes and today I found out Jenn is going to do it with me :) so now I have someone to be accountable to. so maybe I will find myself in this mess.


or in this closet....

somewhere there is room for me to come out and Play


ah yes this(picture below) was in the top of the sweetest CHristmas box ever (thank you C !) my new happy place, so I took the picture and then realized there is sunscreen and Jimbeam in it sounds like a subconscious setup to me ; ) !  I surprised my son with "look what C, sent me,"  "aggghhhh, Mom how many times do I have to tell you, guys don't like to look at other guys naked butts?"   my response " do you like to look at their clothed butts ?" 
 he is a good boy.  and when I read him the back of the bookmark, telling about the swimmer going to get an egg he said he had seen that race on a sports program and there were lots of young men doing it (lots of naked butts).....
I LOVE these glasses thanks again to C !   they just make me smile, even if D doesn't like them !

 I am starting over today. every day I am chosing to do something happy, for me, selfish ? maybe but not really cuz my time is spent making things to give away to make others smile.
 if the world were to end 12/21/12 ( I do not believe it will)  but if the Mayan Peoples were correct, then we all have one year more to make a differance what will you do ? what ever it is, Do it with JOY ! and Chose Happy !  Live Laugh & Dance !

Sunday, December 18, 2011

a week to Christmas?

holy crap how did that happen !  well I am ready,  as in holy crap I haven't shopped for food !
 my son. 1st Christmas in his house
and his dog Ki 
 the tree


 someone called it an ugly vest contest, I don't see ugly ...?
 alcohol was involved : )

 we are so blessed to live in the most beautiful area !
My Favorite picture of the year !  Moms got my back : )

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

DECEMBER 7th 2011

Happy birthday


Pearl Harbor day a day that has lived on.......  so many lost that day,,,, have you ever talked to anyone that was there?   door greeter Albert, was the one I talked to about it the most. once, I thanked him for his service and he cried, I didn't mean to make him cry  I just wanted him to know how thankful I am for every soldier and family that has supported them.  I have soldiers in my family a long line of them,  I married a Vet..... 
standing up for what is right is what started this country but somewhere along the way we have lost our focus and  mine is askewed....
Prayers to all as we remember the fallen this historic day, and to the birthday boy.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Another Passing

My Father In Law John Larmore passed away yesterday morninghe has been ill the last couple of years in and out of the hospital with Pnumonia etc. Rest In Peace John , hope you were right with God ! 
Prayers to all of the family .

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Card info




the couple that run this company stayed at the same hotel as me so we shared a van both mornings. Nice Folks and really pretty stuff, sadly for them I had most of what I needed to do these and boy am I having fun, arm is slower to recover because I am crafting.  less computer time but I am trying to get my son to help me with the etsy site so I can at least try to sell some cards.......  in time....
mean while I am going to try to set up a new blog.   look for it !! Blame it on Elton & Bernie ! @   handicappedoldLadyCards.blogspot.com   I think LOL !

these are the cards I made for Elton & Bernie. someday i may get an address I trust, LOL !
anyhow, I am going to sell cards from this blog so watch for me to get it going  Pray for me !
 I set it up today and can not get a post on it but I will keep trying I did this once I can do it again.

2 days after Thanksgiving

  I will however work on a post of Thanksgiving. which was good food, friends, and family. we are enjoying leftovers tho dishes are running out and I refuse to do them ! I cooked he can clean ! or he will wait till me arm feels much better ! kids, you do the best you can. even tho he is a Good Man, he still has room to grow, as do I . and anyone that is still sucking air to my knowledge but that is their problem. I ramble so let me leave you with pictures.....





 David M & Randy
 Cold food and punch.....mash potatoes might be there too...
 Pies & cheese cakes
 Zane  and Jeff L
 I got Girl time :)  Kristen & Cassie
even Ki got company. cousin Jewel came by to play .
every one seemed to have a good time I however am trashed. between pain levels and menopause... pray for Zane !  I keep telling him he just has to hug me..... and for what ever reason he is experiancing this now, I hope the gods go easy on his future mate he's already been thru it once.
Prayers !
Larena

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/31184/video+shows+salmon+crossing+flooded+washington+state+roadway/

I hope this works !  this is a typical Thanksgiving occurance.. the day after Thanksgiving I am trying to get Zane to go out to the Hoh Rainforest to see salmon this size spawning.  quite often we are the only people on the trail.  I hope we are able to go and I will try to get zane to carry the camera  :)  boy does Zanes' house smell good :0  love what pumpkin pie does for the air ..... but not my waist !  LOL!  I have lost a bit more weight so I get to eat hardy this holiday .... probably not the best plan, but sounds yummy.  I will get up tomorrow and start the major prep for Thursday.  Hope everyone has a safe and love filled holiday.
Prayers,
Larena

Monday, November 21, 2011

made me laugh and cringe !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPNyK7XTy6o&feature=colike

thank you Mom for taking pictures rather than stressing !  LOL!  I would like to know how long it took to get it cleaned up !  Thank God it wasn't a 25 pound bag !!
 remember those days when you took your eyes off of them for just a minute and holy cow....  Zanes was peanut butter luckily only in the kitchen !

Thursday, November 17, 2011

November Ramble

meloncolly spelled incorrectly but I know what I mean......  prolly due to loss of daylight and such. tis normal for this time of year, thusly more suicides this time of year too.  Prayers to the universe 
J is due back to my town wish he would move away, drop dead just saying today I wish I had never met you never giving you my heart, body , and soul.  you are a user. you are the worst kind of man I have ever known.  I am continually surprised at just how bad a person you are.. I saw so much potential for good.  I saw how you treated strangers, better than you treated your wife. stupid choices.no longer defending them, no longer trust my eyes where men are concerned.  thats not so. i can still trust just have to find someone worth investing time in. not sure there will ever be anyone to interest me in a relationship again. as lonely as things can be all I have to do is call someone, there has always been someone on the other end  thank YOu God , for my girlfriends.  how lonely life would be without them.
Lord if you should let me find another relationship please let me see it for what it is and not color it all rosey again. believe  what I am shown get out before you loose you again
no closure is hard but not impossible.  stopping the love I feel not happening, so love from a distance, I still think he is ill, but what the hell do I know ?  his entire family thinks all is well so I must be crazy. well I know how crazy I am and am not so I think they are all in denial or just don't want to say anything.  I got one of the daughterinlaws birthday cards back with change of address sticker on it,  should I repost it or just quit sending cards ?  I feel they are my grandchildren, tho no one else does. maybe it would just be easier if I went away ....
so in the end I do what feels right to me, continuing the birthday cards...

then my own..... wow.... I used to say if we weren't family I would not hang with you you are not my kind of person, so hang with your own kind, I never needed you, I wanted you from the moment you were conceived, you were going to be my future, now you will do anything for your children... aaaaa.,, should I be proud instead of hurt ?  not that I wanted to be first HELL no I just wanted to be concidered. but I have always been way down your list, why am I so hurt ?  menopause has to be the answer. crying then laughing, feeling like a rubberband stretched way to tight for way to long leaves one out of good shape ! knowing I could still get pregnant keeps me home ! LOL!  can you imagine that call.."Mom, I'm Pregnant"  yeah, no fuckin' way I wanna start over the baby is 27.  gotta get over this meloncolly ness......

so Susan whereever you are, I wish you Peace in your own skin. Prayers

Monday, October 31, 2011

happy halloween

AIN'T NOTHIN' SCAREYER~~ !!! 

Sunday, October 30, 2011

October 30, 2011

as I get ready to help a friend get to Seattle for a doctor appointment I notice a black truck in front of my son's house......
My heart Jumps in sweet anticipation......Johnnie's home........ cruel brain injury....cruel Johnnie
so many  things to be thankful for remember them, count them, be thankful for them.
Prayers to All.
Larena

Sunday, October 23, 2011

some of the happy new puppy owners...

 Ken and  Dawn and a very happy Mika.

Ubu and  his boys.

 Sebastain and his Boy /\  ......his  Girl \/
 Mary and her Penny
Mason and his family
Pam and Gracie
 Gracie,  has a Mommy with a granddaughter to love and play with.

Joy gets to keep her name and gets to live near Bremerton on one acre with a Great Mommy and Daddy.

Hank and Ryan
very happy young Ki

Saturday, October 22, 2011

interesting ....

Warren Buffett, in a recent interview with CNBC, offers one of the best quotes about the debt ceiling:

"I could end the deficit in 5 minutes," he told CNBC. "You just

pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more

than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible

for re-election".



Warren Buffet is asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address

list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.

In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really

should be passed around.



*Congressional Reform Act of 2011*

1. No Tenure / No Pension.

A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.

2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.

All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately.

All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the

American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12.



The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen.

Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers

envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.



The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified!

Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971...before computers, e-mail, cell phones, etc.



Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land...

all because of public pressure.



If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will only take three days for most people (in the U.S.) to receive

the message. Maybe it is time.



THIS IS HOW WE FIX CONGRESS!!!!! Please keep it going.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

A gift of Love

Dear Dusti,
it seems from the pictures I can count 77 pieces all with ash in them.  I will send this group first.  you will have to keep me informed as to how much Bob can handle. I am Praying for him and his Mom.  I am so glad you are close.  I hope that you and he help each other, remembering to also care for yourself.  


I know some of these seem a bit odd... but somehow I felt compelled and can hope it was Denises guidance, and that she will see that they get to whom they were meant for !
the long ones can be used for the wind chime/ mobile.... really not that good of an idea to call it a mobile.  hanging glass pieces over a crib, not the best idea !!  guess it will just be a Good Luck Chime for babies room. 
just another angle of the first shelf. if you click on the picture it enlarges it so you can see a bit more detail but keep in mind every thing changes with the firing.  I am excited to see these peices.  I used very little ash in each one so as not to bubble them so it might not be visible in all of them but it will be in there.. I am nervous now the waiting for them sucks !!
I hope you & Bob love them.