tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50464315628639916392020-07-21T09:40:41.629-07:00BOSSY BETTYBossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.comBlogger1188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-42436778643589414172017-01-23T04:00:00.000-08:002017-01-23T04:00:21.186-08:00Happy Monday!<div style="text-align: center;">Kia Louise and I wish you a Happy Monday!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FZrrkBsxTo4/WIVdqoqCDsI/AAAAAAAAJd0/2Z8j71BAXdw3gNPLlmSkSCNNM67Fy5zTACLcB/s1600/DSC00696%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FZrrkBsxTo4/WIVdqoqCDsI/AAAAAAAAJd0/2Z8j71BAXdw3gNPLlmSkSCNNM67Fy5zTACLcB/s400/DSC00696%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com152tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-48788024260206398242017-01-22T08:05:00.003-08:002017-01-22T08:05:50.313-08:00Post-Birthday Missive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qQ9fxivlUPA/WITXjTLoqcI/AAAAAAAAJdk/8pCK_8oqFokPnHayHjpELB5d1bolz7aswCLcB/s1600/IMG_3676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qQ9fxivlUPA/WITXjTLoqcI/AAAAAAAAJdk/8pCK_8oqFokPnHayHjpELB5d1bolz7aswCLcB/s320/IMG_3676.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Hi All,<br /><br />Betty is still around, still kicking, still loving life.<br /><br />I recently celebrated my birthday, and man did I have a good time!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCisx4Q8_po/WITXc940WqI/AAAAAAAAJdg/yho6OCeB7R48c0NZI7h9sY6OKW5Dos2RQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3667%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCisx4Q8_po/WITXc940WqI/AAAAAAAAJdg/yho6OCeB7R48c0NZI7h9sY6OKW5Dos2RQCLcB/s320/IMG_3667%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />As you can see, I am still fascinated by baked goods made specifically for me.<br /><br />How has life been treating you?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-44469549317161700412016-09-04T18:16:00.001-07:002016-09-04T18:18:32.672-07:00Summer of Travel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Is summer really gone?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am back in the classroom now, back in the serious shoes, so, yes, I guess it is gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">As a teacher I have those glorious stretches of time known as summer vacation. Ever in need of some sort of structure in my life, I have in the past assigned a theme to my summers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a hard-working pony, but one that needs fences around the very large ranch of summer, lest I wander off and become completely feral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">In the past I had Summer of Service, Summer of Reading, and Summer of Health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This summer was Summer of Travel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks to the internet, planning trips is ridiculously simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s fun and easy to prop yourself up with five pillows, computer on your lap, calendar on your right and credit card to your left, and plan trips from the comfort of your bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I first planned a trip to Portland on the train, simply because I wanted to travel on a train and sleep on one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brian was game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I booked a trip on the Coastline Starlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next trip to was to see my niece and her family in San Antonio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had recently moved there, has adorable children and Southwest was kind enough to offer me a nice fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next my friend Jim mentioned to me that he wanted to go to San Diego to see the Shakespeare exhibit there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why drive when you could take a train ride?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next, I planned a trip to Kansas to see a friend and pick up two of my sisters and a niece and drive to Oklahoma to see another sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Road trip!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our final trip was to Boston to see Brian’s son and daughter-in-law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Five glorious days in Boston?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, please.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">My summer of travel was a great success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spaced out the trips so I had time between each one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved all the beauty I saw along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The adventure of getting places was a bonus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">On our trip to Portland I sat in the observation car and saw the beauty of the Cascades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Texas we explored streams and woods. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kansas and Oklahoma were gorgeous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever a Midwest girl at heart, my heart fills up when I see rows and rows of corn, and long sweeping vistas of green, gold and blue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bustle of San Diego was fun. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stood and looked at a 400 year-old collection of Shakespeare’s work, open to one of my favorite passages from Hamlet and thought I would weep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then on to Boston. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What an incredible city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked Freedom Trail, went to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument, and rowed a boat out on one of the large ponds there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Yes, I saw some beautiful scenery and breathtaking historical monuments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, a letter from my friend Jim got me thinking about my Summer of Travel. Jim wrote that he loved the Shakespeare exhibit but his favorite part of the trip was playing cards with me on the train. I smiled because I had thought the same thing.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Portland was great but my fondest memory is sitting with Brian on the train, holding hands and talking, watching the scenery go by. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">My favorite times in Texas? Sitting on the floor, reading books to my great-niece and my great-nephew, their little bodies leaning into mine as we read book after book. Their tiny hands turned the pages; their bright voices sang to me as they asked questions and laughed. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Boston was one big, beautiful city and yet, the memory that comes to me time and time again is sitting around the table with Brian’s son and daughter-in-law, at their home talking about nothing in particular, just being together and laughing. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I thought about my trip to Kansas and realized that my favorite part was hearing my sisters’ voices drifting through the night air as we settled in our beds, calling out to each other and giggling ourselves to sleep, just as we had long ago, in another house very far away.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>611</o:Words> 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mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <!--EndFragment--><br /><div class="MsoNormal">The deck of cards passed between old, familiar friends, that square of carpet with books spread out and children nestled, waiting for the stories within, the hands that hold ours as we pass through tunnels, those familiar faces around the table, the sweet voices wafting across the air to wish us happy dreams. That’s where the real sweetness in life is. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s true I traveled thousands of miles across land this summer, but more importantly, I traveled deeper within life. Those are the journeys that matter the most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">I am grateful for it all.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BZQp-_SAQXY/V8zGAgUVq5I/AAAAAAAAJck/C7BW3TgHHP0GUKyaUk3gtfQaf57JOwzoQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BZQp-_SAQXY/V8zGAgUVq5I/AAAAAAAAJck/C7BW3TgHHP0GUKyaUk3gtfQaf57JOwzoQCLcB/s400/IMG_3181.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Rowing with Phil and Brian.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6A_akwJDabA/V8zGOTUR0xI/AAAAAAAAJco/zlY1EVmHx38MePggluipNoafaY6PeAFxwCLcB/s1600/IMG_3037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6A_akwJDabA/V8zGOTUR0xI/AAAAAAAAJco/zlY1EVmHx38MePggluipNoafaY6PeAFxwCLcB/s400/IMG_3037.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Swimming with the sisters.</div>Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-48680508778664275402016-08-18T18:24:00.000-07:002016-08-18T18:24:23.174-07:00Summer of Travel: San AntonioMy summer travels continued to Texas when I went there to visit one of my nieces and her family. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FcknTcTBoWw/V6_r1GrYgWI/AAAAAAAAJbA/pJbYRxNB_AYquhQYfhBkZB2d-9yI_XaogCK4B/s1600/IMG_2729.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FcknTcTBoWw/V6_r1GrYgWI/AAAAAAAAJbA/pJbYRxNB_AYquhQYfhBkZB2d-9yI_XaogCK4B/s400/IMG_2729.jpg" width="300" /></a><br /><br />Aren't they cuties?<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rp3L6HFpsuM/V6_qhYQyVYI/AAAAAAAAJaY/8sIn4JHwFl8WjaaK-AsYkseGewinEpoBACK4B/s1600/IMG_2724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rp3L6HFpsuM/V6_qhYQyVYI/AAAAAAAAJaY/8sIn4JHwFl8WjaaK-AsYkseGewinEpoBACK4B/s400/IMG_2724.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Felicity, my great-niece!</div><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5flmLuGbeFk/V6_qjR2x75I/AAAAAAAAJag/B0-dRZzZlrovaqMBZonirdPLSX7b034eQCK4B/s1600/IMG_2727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5flmLuGbeFk/V6_qjR2x75I/AAAAAAAAJag/B0-dRZzZlrovaqMBZonirdPLSX7b034eQCK4B/s1600/IMG_2727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5flmLuGbeFk/V6_qjR2x75I/AAAAAAAAJag/B0-dRZzZlrovaqMBZonirdPLSX7b034eQCK4B/s1600/IMG_2727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5flmLuGbeFk/V6_qjR2x75I/AAAAAAAAJag/B0-dRZzZlrovaqMBZonirdPLSX7b034eQCK4B/s1600/IMG_2727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5flmLuGbeFk/V6_qjR2x75I/AAAAAAAAJag/B0-dRZzZlrovaqMBZonirdPLSX7b034eQCK4B/s1600/IMG_2727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5flmLuGbeFk/V6_qjR2x75I/AAAAAAAAJag/B0-dRZzZlrovaqMBZonirdPLSX7b034eQCK4B/s1600/IMG_2727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5flmLuGbeFk/V6_qjR2x75I/AAAAAAAAJag/B0-dRZzZlrovaqMBZonirdPLSX7b034eQCK4B/s1600/IMG_2727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5flmLuGbeFk/V6_qjR2x75I/AAAAAAAAJag/B0-dRZzZlrovaqMBZonirdPLSX7b034eQCK4B/s1600/IMG_2727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5flmLuGbeFk/V6_qjR2x75I/AAAAAAAAJag/B0-dRZzZlrovaqMBZonirdPLSX7b034eQCK4B/s1600/IMG_2727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5flmLuGbeFk/V6_qjR2x75I/AAAAAAAAJag/B0-dRZzZlrovaqMBZonirdPLSX7b034eQCK4B/s1600/IMG_2727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5flmLuGbeFk/V6_qjR2x75I/AAAAAAAAJag/B0-dRZzZlrovaqMBZonirdPLSX7b034eQCK4B/s1600/IMG_2727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5flmLuGbeFk/V6_qjR2x75I/AAAAAAAAJag/B0-dRZzZlrovaqMBZonirdPLSX7b034eQCK4B/s1600/IMG_2727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-84BdIpM81i0/V6_st7-Q55I/AAAAAAAAJbg/sm0SJjzNRo8fsFyum20pefudynazWkgZgCK4B/s1600/IMG_2751.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-84BdIpM81i0/V6_st7-Q55I/AAAAAAAAJbg/sm0SJjzNRo8fsFyum20pefudynazWkgZgCK4B/s320/IMG_2751.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />Turner loved the construction equipment I brought him,<br />and I loved watching him play with them.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1he3fPhNes/V6_s9-l8I5I/AAAAAAAAJbo/8UhODRjeimY-4xndHZwGKl5rBZJfRyeaACK4B/s1600/IMG_2745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1he3fPhNes/V6_s9-l8I5I/AAAAAAAAJbo/8UhODRjeimY-4xndHZwGKl5rBZJfRyeaACK4B/s400/IMG_2745.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The area around their home was so beautiful. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qFT1khXbYbU/V7ZeGDgCuNI/AAAAAAAAJcM/Vh-8Oru934EqZmLV7nUoc_ZOzYiPJ9PvQCK4B/s1600/IMG_2727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qFT1khXbYbU/V7ZeGDgCuNI/AAAAAAAAJcM/Vh-8Oru934EqZmLV7nUoc_ZOzYiPJ9PvQCK4B/s320/IMG_2727.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sonic Stop!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I loved spending time with my special peeps!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-19493299728990278362016-08-10T04:00:00.000-07:002016-08-09T18:57:47.517-07:00Summer Travels: Portland<div style="text-align: center;">This was a summer of travels for me. The first trip I took was with my husband, that fabulous man. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had always wanted to take a train trip and so we took off to Portland. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-68pSQA09oUY/V6qGLTtBF7I/AAAAAAAAJZc/VkrUU8jdhFEe-xdXKAB1AbudDP_mJTJ2wCK4B/s1600/IMG_2646.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-68pSQA09oUY/V6qGLTtBF7I/AAAAAAAAJZc/VkrUU8jdhFEe-xdXKAB1AbudDP_mJTJ2wCK4B/s400/IMG_2646.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The trip took about 26 hours. It was so much fun traveling in our roomette. If you've never taken a train trip, I recommend it. The views out the window were really fabulous.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Once we got to Portland, we set out to see the city. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z_fZQ7dEcvI/V6qHDq8TxoI/AAAAAAAAJZo/pG1dUSAZjx858t0DG2xbbpLe3WdJahO3wCK4B/s1600/IMG_2654.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z_fZQ7dEcvI/V6qHDq8TxoI/AAAAAAAAJZo/pG1dUSAZjx858t0DG2xbbpLe3WdJahO3wCK4B/s400/IMG_2654.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Of course we stopped at Voodoo Doughnuts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aZq-_BPlG2Y/V6qHKexMgCI/AAAAAAAAJZ0/zVh4HZOK_xA4ACyWJAYmjCdfLpj87RHcgCK4B/s1600/IMG_2657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aZq-_BPlG2Y/V6qHKexMgCI/AAAAAAAAJZ0/zVh4HZOK_xA4ACyWJAYmjCdfLpj87RHcgCK4B/s400/IMG_2657.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Brian got the voodoo man and reported that he was delicious.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aZq-_BPlG2Y/V6qHKexMgCI/AAAAAAAAJZ0/zVh4HZOK_xA4ACyWJAYmjCdfLpj87RHcgCK4B/s1600/IMG_2657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d9VjoFhdvVY/V6qHikaH-7I/AAAAAAAAJZ8/3Prt3jFcnZIUITaGHhEKnA1Fxjd15eYcwCK4B/s1600/IMG_2685.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d9VjoFhdvVY/V6qHikaH-7I/AAAAAAAAJZ8/3Prt3jFcnZIUITaGHhEKnA1Fxjd15eYcwCK4B/s320/IMG_2685.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We traveled all over the city and saw wonderful sights. We always try to see the library in whatever city we visit. Portland's did not disappoint.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NlXhQrRQ6RE/V6qH26uDJVI/AAAAAAAAJaE/RHRxKCBg8KQDG9BIWPE6IwCAqi-RHOrSQCK4B/s1600/IMG_2683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NlXhQrRQ6RE/V6qH26uDJVI/AAAAAAAAJaE/RHRxKCBg8KQDG9BIWPE6IwCAqi-RHOrSQCK4B/s400/IMG_2683.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beverly Cleary's books played a huge part in my childhood, so naturally, I went bananas when I saw this section of the library.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Brian and I had such fun in Portland. It was a great way to kick off the summer.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">More travel reports to come!</div><br /><br />Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-86871635427276028852016-08-08T14:08:00.000-07:002016-08-08T14:08:28.761-07:00Fair Time!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MBQwYRjRXBo/V6jvGG-gVMI/AAAAAAAAJX8/-I0mgATWkHwPKRk7uYFroI_E7YpZzMc6QCK4B/s1600/IMG_4158.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MBQwYRjRXBo/V6jvGG-gVMI/AAAAAAAAJX8/-I0mgATWkHwPKRk7uYFroI_E7YpZzMc6QCK4B/s640/IMG_4158.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br />Look who is sticking her nose back into blogland again after a month's absence. Yes, it's me, fresh from a trip to the fair.<br /><br />Our county has a great fair. The grounds are right next to the ocean and palm trees line the walkways. It's a lovely way to spend the day.<br /><br />Let's get started, shall we?<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_tMXtbbhRRY/V6jxSV-BcuI/AAAAAAAAJYI/q5r3YEphjDMxlCNDd4wsV8yL4PBVS-REQCK4B/s1600/IMG_4156.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_tMXtbbhRRY/V6jxSV-BcuI/AAAAAAAAJYI/q5r3YEphjDMxlCNDd4wsV8yL4PBVS-REQCK4B/s640/IMG_4156.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />(I could post about 100 pictures of goats. Be glad you are getting the condensed version here. I am crazy about goats and fair time is the only time I get to drool over them for an extended period of time.)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kh19FYvOzgo/V6jz55LBlOI/AAAAAAAAJZA/AkCWjddLctArH-lRvYTUKa99N_bF_CvIQCK4B/s1600/IMG_4193.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kh19FYvOzgo/V6jz55LBlOI/AAAAAAAAJZA/AkCWjddLctArH-lRvYTUKa99N_bF_CvIQCK4B/s640/IMG_4193.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Bears who hang around.</div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RoJ2-uxFCXI/V6jxxq5eHdI/AAAAAAAAJYQ/oKwOeGO79D88YeqI2aswS2Bvs-vK8iFDQCK4B/s1600/IMG_4165.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RoJ2-uxFCXI/V6jxxq5eHdI/AAAAAAAAJYQ/oKwOeGO79D88YeqI2aswS2Bvs-vK8iFDQCK4B/s640/IMG_4165.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Real Horse</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nRMamyYuGdU/V6jyHivjEPI/AAAAAAAAJYY/tvksynsNMSM2hJCGfQDnhSLeMZjxXrCiwCK4B/s1600/IMG_4187%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nRMamyYuGdU/V6jyHivjEPI/AAAAAAAAJYY/tvksynsNMSM2hJCGfQDnhSLeMZjxXrCiwCK4B/s640/IMG_4187%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Carousel Horses</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-atHbR89r4xM/V6jyp_yPbDI/AAAAAAAAJYs/h8ctaPCTc_Yc-gOkjD3L9sgCBhG7dsYDgCK4B/s1600/IMG_4194.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-atHbR89r4xM/V6jyp_yPbDI/AAAAAAAAJYs/h8ctaPCTc_Yc-gOkjD3L9sgCBhG7dsYDgCK4B/s640/IMG_4194.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Balloons</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sWVhHaFN5oM/V6jzGIsYwcI/AAAAAAAAJY0/056QIiDnvio8NU0uv3J3Hf9d_ZZeQm_qACK4B/s1600/IMG_4149.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sWVhHaFN5oM/V6jzGIsYwcI/AAAAAAAAJY0/056QIiDnvio8NU0uv3J3Hf9d_ZZeQm_qACK4B/s640/IMG_4149.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pole Placement Fail (At least for the fish taco stand)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We had a great time at the fair.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll be back with more excitement soon!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-55950283527497182972016-07-10T04:00:00.000-07:002016-07-10T04:00:00.880-07:00Beach Read Day!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Even though we live near the ocean, three of my friends and I decided we don't go to the beach enough, so we organized a Beach Read Day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We packed up and headed out!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-efTwSnLD71U/V4FYjTjn2aI/AAAAAAAAJXo/iHz1iI5HUyQGwwE87WV0gE4RzPZwEbgSQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-efTwSnLD71U/V4FYjTjn2aI/AAAAAAAAJXo/iHz1iI5HUyQGwwE87WV0gE4RzPZwEbgSQCLcB/s400/IMG_2978.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We came prepared! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ELEJNbcn7E/V4FVrJIv7qI/AAAAAAAAJXc/NIjzTle0Rg4cNq7I0o1PY_uVZVaiCGJWACLcB/s1600/IMG_2986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ELEJNbcn7E/V4FVrJIv7qI/AAAAAAAAJXc/NIjzTle0Rg4cNq7I0o1PY_uVZVaiCGJWACLcB/s400/IMG_2986.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before reading though, we had to get that sand between our toes and and enjoy watching the waves. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WqLjjv-5DiM/V4FVo3YeynI/AAAAAAAAJXU/oEN0HJenObgL3wdZQUx7gyi6lIWZrY-SwCKgB/s1600/IMG_2974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WqLjjv-5DiM/V4FVo3YeynI/AAAAAAAAJXU/oEN0HJenObgL3wdZQUx7gyi6lIWZrY-SwCKgB/s400/IMG_2974.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then before picking up our books, we decided a stroll along the beach was in order. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This guy decided to join us!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WqLjjv-5DiM/V4FVo3YeynI/AAAAAAAAJXU/80W5eGK7bDk8o6NwKX67mlsW5n6uag4kwCLcB/s1600/IMG_2974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6sklftFcHY4/V4FVouaKPWI/AAAAAAAAJXM/aanxmHwTK-4dR-IpGBeSqVbaGuv8leuVgCLcB/s1600/IMG_2969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6sklftFcHY4/V4FVouaKPWI/AAAAAAAAJXM/aanxmHwTK-4dR-IpGBeSqVbaGuv8leuVgCLcB/s400/IMG_2969.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Seriously, were we supposed to be looking down at our pages when there were the flocks of pelicans to watch overhead?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-apFNoeHBsYE/V4FVo4SZrLI/AAAAAAAAJXQ/qVXorCjhnLQ3hFy_KRWOReJLFT4gJTapQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-apFNoeHBsYE/V4FVo4SZrLI/AAAAAAAAJXQ/qVXorCjhnLQ3hFy_KRWOReJLFT4gJTapQCLcB/s400/IMG_2962.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Of course we would read soon, but first we had to chat about what we had been doing in the three days since we had seen each other.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I4pR2cLCh6U/V4FVrOK9mVI/AAAAAAAAJXY/sxNy-m95FYYvxNrqidzmRR_GzvAZ33kWwCLcB/s1600/IMG_2983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I4pR2cLCh6U/V4FVrOK9mVI/AAAAAAAAJXY/sxNy-m95FYYvxNrqidzmRR_GzvAZ33kWwCLcB/s400/IMG_2983.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, maybe Beach Read Day did turn into Beach Gab Day, but at least our books got out of the house and enjoyed the scenery as well!</div><br />Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-7001285789390744082016-07-06T04:00:00.000-07:002016-07-06T04:00:06.657-07:00It's Puzzling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>(You know Betty is living a wild life when she devotes an entire post to her thrill at putting together a puzzle.)</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I came across this the other day in a store and bought it for a puzzle-loving friend of mine, but then I was too intrigued by it to give it away.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w1s8fzR_1lA/V3w9urZRuhI/AAAAAAAAJW8/IjB9zQ8-y0k_T-P9hHEVROxin7ryWFPwwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w1s8fzR_1lA/V3w9urZRuhI/AAAAAAAAJW8/IjB9zQ8-y0k_T-P9hHEVROxin7ryWFPwwCLcB/s640/IMG_4023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hadn't done a puzzle for a very long time. Why not just start this 1000 piece one?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5g1JSzRvnI/V3w9uZ8EWNI/AAAAAAAAJW0/ZhEqqESFuygtEiZ_durkGWDEde6uagYdACKgB/s1600/IMG_2940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="569" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5g1JSzRvnI/V3w9uZ8EWNI/AAAAAAAAJW0/ZhEqqESFuygtEiZ_durkGWDEde6uagYdACKgB/s640/IMG_2940.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As you can see, I had some help. Zelda was right there to lend a paw.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pwo0eSErdx4/V3w9uMPv3LI/AAAAAAAAJWw/JMQxOz8hmBgoROWMdUetnjArHd0VwWOLQCKgB/s1600/IMG_2945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pwo0eSErdx4/V3w9uMPv3LI/AAAAAAAAJWw/JMQxOz8hmBgoROWMdUetnjArHd0VwWOLQCKgB/s640/IMG_2945.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Until it was nap time, of course.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WNrl_FeZV3c/V3w9uH4v6nI/AAAAAAAAJW4/s8DDON7b61gDKzV_Z1RhxdxL5KogpTmzQCKgB/s1600/IMG_2948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WNrl_FeZV3c/V3w9uH4v6nI/AAAAAAAAJW4/s8DDON7b61gDKzV_Z1RhxdxL5KogpTmzQCKgB/s640/IMG_2948.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My son and daughter-in-law soon got in on the action. I discovered that I was completely drawn in by this activity. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(That is another way of saying I was a complete nut--staying up late, getting up early, getting sharp, shooting pains in my neck and shoulders and still continuing to search for the piece that looked like the state of Missouri and had part of a green Ju-Jube on it.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think more puzzles are in my future! Woo-Hoo! Watch out world!</div><br /><br /><br />Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-35699758523550312722016-07-03T04:00:00.000-07:002016-07-03T04:00:16.857-07:00Sipping Our Childhoods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I stood in the aisle of Galco's Old World Grocery trying not to cry. It's not every day a soda standing on the shelf in a grocery store can reduce me to tears, but when my son pointed out the Grapette, well, I pretty much lost it in the store. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6dtD02bQ-84/V3hmQ8Nuq9I/AAAAAAAAJWc/80uG35F44YIUhFvvAqmb8hCQWmYJxovYQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6dtD02bQ-84/V3hmQ8Nuq9I/AAAAAAAAJWc/80uG35F44YIUhFvvAqmb8hCQWmYJxovYQCLcB/s640/IMG_2921.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />The owner of the store came up and looked at me. "Grapette?" he said. I nodded. "This is the good stuff, not the kind from Walmart. You gotta go to Guatemala for this. They are the only ones who have the original formula now." <br /><br />I stood there and picked up one of the bottles, feeling the way it fit into my hand and my mind went back to a hot July day in Kansas when I was six. <br /><br />My father was a busy farmer and didn't have much time to spend with me, his fifth daughter, especially during the prime daylight hours. However, on this day he let me ride the three miles to town with him on the tractor. <br /><br />The John Deere pop-popped down the rock road, then turned on the paved road into town. Cars passed us occasionally and meadowlarks flew overheard. I did not envy either. I wanted the ride to last forever. I was riding high, perched on the front of the plywood board that made up the seat of the tractor. My father sat behind me, his strong hands on the black steering wheel.<br /><br />Once in town, we got down off the seat and went to the pop machine in front of the lumber yard. I rarely got soda so I was amazed when Daddy slid the quarter into the machine, opened the small side door and pulled out that bottle of Grapette. Using the bottle cap opener on the machine, he popped off the lid and handed me the slick, ice cold bottle. <br /><br />I did not realize it then, but now I think I can safely say that no drink in the world, either before that moment or after that moment ever tasted as good as that one. It was not the sweetness of the drink as much as the sweetness of the moment. <br /><br />I was safe. I was on a grand adventure. I was with my daddy.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJAE5mkFYDE/V3hlDE10ZaI/AAAAAAAAJWM/1Zqjs6X6KMcCCFHETdAqBlsqFq1tyd_ngCLcB/s1600/9872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJAE5mkFYDE/V3hlDE10ZaI/AAAAAAAAJWM/1Zqjs6X6KMcCCFHETdAqBlsqFq1tyd_ngCLcB/s640/9872.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I stood there in the store, holding that bottle, Brian was across the store, holding a bottle of Green River, a drink his father used to buy for him as a treat. Needless to say, when we left the store, we had our treasures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QRTHC1hwph0/V3hmQ8uyvnI/AAAAAAAAJWk/LY9HYlVskr0XHGmwyHEeW1PgGE9qWlJ9gCKgB/s1600/IMG_2936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QRTHC1hwph0/V3hmQ8uyvnI/AAAAAAAAJWk/LY9HYlVskr0XHGmwyHEeW1PgGE9qWlJ9gCKgB/s640/IMG_2936.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yesterday on the patio, we opened them up, breathed in the smell and then sipped the sweetness.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DyEe-1Vv-a8/V3hmQ_lcSHI/AAAAAAAAJWg/PxD5HY3cUxcviWYs8ZnOnQe13_lKKGnXACLcB/s1600/IMG_2938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DyEe-1Vv-a8/V3hmQ_lcSHI/AAAAAAAAJWg/PxD5HY3cUxcviWYs8ZnOnQe13_lKKGnXACLcB/s640/IMG_2938.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />It all came back--all of it--retrieved from the distant past. We sat, side-by-side, each in our own lovely bubble of memory, smiling, feeling lucky and grateful and maybe, just maybe, a little melancholy too. <br /><br />Cheers to all.Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-28320879418597553502016-07-01T04:00:00.000-07:002016-07-01T04:00:08.841-07:00Trip to the Sugar Store!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hi All!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After we enjoyed the scenery of the arboretum and botanical garden, we went to Galco's Old World Grocery Store in Los Angeles to see some real beauty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xxBUT1m8z7w/V3Wb58rmkaI/AAAAAAAAJVw/FjMUzthJZyAGdoCP0AUGsrDrT3Brw5DtwCKgB/s1600/IMG_2916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xxBUT1m8z7w/V3Wb58rmkaI/AAAAAAAAJVw/FjMUzthJZyAGdoCP0AUGsrDrT3Brw5DtwCKgB/s640/IMG_2916.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The store stocks all the goodies from the past. I loved the sights and smells of this store.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xxBUT1m8z7w/V3Wb58rmkaI/AAAAAAAAJVw/nJbxCPDpdkYacLCqSD5CH_SLgicXoV8sQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3umNMR3r3vI/V3Wb6DzrRCI/AAAAAAAAJV4/wC2cnLl_4OoRVmwMUX4uUwa0WQuZfaj9QCLcB/s1600/IMG_2928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3umNMR3r3vI/V3Wb6DzrRCI/AAAAAAAAJV4/wC2cnLl_4OoRVmwMUX4uUwa0WQuZfaj9QCLcB/s640/IMG_2928.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was also a great place to take pictures. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--BeK5-VHxxw/V3Wb59p9AeI/AAAAAAAAJVs/oyUTuiyuo4QwND84BkCK8-2wB__bvgeOQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--BeK5-VHxxw/V3Wb59p9AeI/AAAAAAAAJVs/oyUTuiyuo4QwND84BkCK8-2wB__bvgeOQCLcB/s640/IMG_2919.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iqGK1ghictU/V3Wb53jv5bI/AAAAAAAAJV0/UiYIpVT9a4QH2yGCCQrIyiQAvq4ulz6rQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iqGK1ghictU/V3Wb53jv5bI/AAAAAAAAJV0/UiYIpVT9a4QH2yGCCQrIyiQAvq4ulz6rQCLcB/s640/IMG_2926.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cherry Mash is a favorite of my sister. I am going on a road trip with her very soon. I wonder if Betty got her a little treat to keep her quiet in the car? Hmmmmm.... I wonder? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9QyBVRKAOGU/V3Wb6XIleBI/AAAAAAAAJV8/D0_sqqRPo1EDt79Q5WziBh5y6PnCfqehACLcB/s1600/IMG_2931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9QyBVRKAOGU/V3Wb6XIleBI/AAAAAAAAJV8/D0_sqqRPo1EDt79Q5WziBh5y6PnCfqehACLcB/s640/IMG_2931.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Galco's brought back so many memories of the grocery store I used to go to with my mom and dad.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tomorrow you get to see what I bought there. Oh! Ah! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-18180823857770351092016-06-30T04:00:00.000-07:002016-06-30T06:33:47.849-07:00Peacocks, and Flowers and Turtles, Oh My!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are some more pictures from our recent trip to the Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nidIzHoFfrc/V3Q1n_PgwZI/AAAAAAAAJVc/mxZhwNDbKSMt3Ci-BlDlhso39YlomM3vgCLcB/s1600/IMG_3989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nidIzHoFfrc/V3Q1n_PgwZI/AAAAAAAAJVc/mxZhwNDbKSMt3Ci-BlDlhso39YlomM3vgCLcB/s640/IMG_3989.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Just in case you thought those beautiful peacocks running all over the place don't check themselves out when they get bored with human adulation, we came around the corner to find this one making sure all his feathers were in the right place.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LIeL_vCwnik/V3Q1n7Z6IpI/AAAAAAAAJVU/GaIP0ERilI0t1mmh5QnhdVDt8ryTHKVFACLcB/s1600/IMG_4014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LIeL_vCwnik/V3Q1n7Z6IpI/AAAAAAAAJVU/GaIP0ERilI0t1mmh5QnhdVDt8ryTHKVFACLcB/s640/IMG_4014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am a sucker for a beautiful, simple flower, just blooming and making the world a more beautiful place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nxb4wBm77Lk/V3Q1nxhK3KI/AAAAAAAAJVY/IIResEWsoYEjvfFq6koEEBUk3wv1TMRuACKgB/s1600/IMG_4012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nxb4wBm77Lk/V3Q1nxhK3KI/AAAAAAAAJVY/IIResEWsoYEjvfFq6koEEBUk3wv1TMRuACKgB/s640/IMG_4012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Are you doing enough of this during your busy summer? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-47835434550808334062016-06-28T16:09:00.000-07:002016-06-30T06:32:23.152-07:00Checking In!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u5CWBpUpsiY/V3MCuEHlmiI/AAAAAAAAJVE/XZWWP660adcuD5AAXLo9d4BbbPfJibG8wCLcB/s1600/IMG_3975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="409" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u5CWBpUpsiY/V3MCuEHlmiI/AAAAAAAAJVE/XZWWP660adcuD5AAXLo9d4BbbPfJibG8wCLcB/s640/IMG_3975.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Hi All.<br /><br />I hope you are doing well out there in Blogland. We are buzzing along here. More details to come.<br /><br />I recently saw this guy at the Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanic Gardens. Many peacocks roam the grounds and have no problem attracting attention! <br /><br />Happy Days to you all!Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-47810704211264377592015-09-25T06:41:00.000-07:002015-09-25T08:08:30.843-07:00Kia and Me<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>322</o:Words> <o:Characters>1837</o:Characters> <o:Company>Oxnard College</o:Company> <o:Lines>15</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>2155</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>14.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> 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text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6w4EwFxeIG0/VgVGqgTX9OI/AAAAAAAAJUQ/z8eS5hPCSrM/s1600/IMG_0078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6w4EwFxeIG0/VgVGqgTX9OI/AAAAAAAAJUQ/z8eS5hPCSrM/s400/IMG_0078.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Three years ago I would have never ever even thought about going to a dog park, but three years ago I did not have this little face to wake up to every morning. I love my dog Kia Louise. She makes me smile every single day. You fellow dog lovers know what I am talking about. Let’s get together for tea and talk about our dogs for hours, shall we?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Kia is a part rat terrier I think, maybe part cattle dog. My vet suspects some Jack Russell in there. All I know is she, like me, does not have a dimmer switch. The girl is either all go or all flop. I love that about her. When she sleeps, she sleeps. See evidence below: <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LxhRTlaxcNM/VgVKtlsDLWI/AAAAAAAAJUs/XKXLJ9e_vB8/s1600/IMG_1860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LxhRTlaxcNM/VgVKtlsDLWI/AAAAAAAAJUs/XKXLJ9e_vB8/s400/IMG_1860.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> The flip side is true too, though. When she needs to move, she needs to move and her favorite thing to do is to run. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">That is why we found the dog park. Brian taught her run after the ball and return it and that is what she does. Over and over and over and over again.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WEktio7OAuE/VgVFwtJkc3I/AAAAAAAAJUI/LfI48nhPGhY/s1600/IMG_0470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WEktio7OAuE/VgVFwtJkc3I/AAAAAAAAJUI/LfI48nhPGhY/s400/IMG_0470.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ball Maniac </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Her running is a thing of beauty. She goes for it, full throttle. People look at her in amazement. They comment on how fast she streaks across the park. Brian and I watch her and smile at each other. She’s amazing. She’s our girl. <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I can honestly say that the dog park is one of my favorite places to go. We have a beautiful one here in town. What other place can you go to see so many different dogs, running and playing together? Most come up for a reassuring pat or a rub behind the ears.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-95uSsov3esY/VgVDMvUMEdI/AAAAAAAAJTk/kgBFYubs8os/s1600/Cassandra%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-95uSsov3esY/VgVDMvUMEdI/AAAAAAAAJTk/kgBFYubs8os/s400/Cassandra%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cassandra. She always comes over for some Betty Love.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Best of all, we’ve made friends at the dog park, and Kia has made a best friend. Hazel, an Australian Shepherd and her family are now a large part of our lives. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8DO8bRUITPg/VgVFtWemHII/AAAAAAAAJUA/ILTSGluIxQI/s1600/IMG_0476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8DO8bRUITPg/VgVFtWemHII/AAAAAAAAJUA/ILTSGluIxQI/s400/IMG_0476.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hazel's Glamour Shot</td></tr></tbody></table>Kia goes to Hazel’s house for play dates and stays overnight when we are out of town. Hazel spends every Friday here while her parents work and many Saturdays. Kia and Hazel love each other very much.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kp-lTVcBDhs/VgVFmQ8ikEI/AAAAAAAAJTw/IRhTY4vJHlc/s1600/IMG_1325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kp-lTVcBDhs/VgVFmQ8ikEI/AAAAAAAAJTw/IRhTY4vJHlc/s400/IMG_1325.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zkbhzJGgS_Y/VgVHrwOHUFI/AAAAAAAAJUc/vANHCcEiwt0/s1600/IMG_0631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zkbhzJGgS_Y/VgVHrwOHUFI/AAAAAAAAJUc/vANHCcEiwt0/s400/IMG_0631.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you feel the love?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Three years ago, when I found Kia at the shelter, she was alone, scared and wondering if she would ever find a true home. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Come to think of it, she found me when I was feeling the same way. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Now here we are, safe, secure and surrounded by love, both of us stronger than ever. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>It’s amazing where life takes us, isn’t it? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H4uh51YF-S8/VgVFqCUFhyI/AAAAAAAAJT4/7yU45vQOQco/s1600/IMG_1240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H4uh51YF-S8/VgVFqCUFhyI/AAAAAAAAJT4/7yU45vQOQco/s400/IMG_1240.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><!--EndFragment--><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9lpLJuPAn8c/VgVKw8xfBCI/AAAAAAAAJU0/gkevlHPa-cw/s1600/IMG_1867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9lpLJuPAn8c/VgVKw8xfBCI/AAAAAAAAJU0/gkevlHPa-cw/s400/IMG_1867.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-55268628961242487352015-09-11T14:31:00.000-07:002015-09-25T18:19:23.163-07:00I'm Still Here. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vyoBTga2Xt8/VfNETafueZI/AAAAAAAAJS0/Bgq06h_sJSw/s1600/IMG_3385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vyoBTga2Xt8/VfNETafueZI/AAAAAAAAJS0/Bgq06h_sJSw/s400/IMG_3385.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />My People!<br /><br />I've been gone for a few months. Somehow, someway, I kind of lost my blogging/writing nerve and mojo. I am not sure exactly why, and right or wrong, I felt like visiting others' blogs was a little like showing up to a potluck without a dish to share. <br /><br />I tried to convince myself I didn't miss blogging, but I do. <br /><br />I'm not ready to make a big 'ol casserole for you just yet, but how about a few appetizers? Sound good? <br /><br />I've missed you. I've missed the blogging me. Life is good. Let's eat.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-44721397656053529602015-04-05T08:38:00.001-07:002015-04-05T08:38:41.015-07:00Happy Easter!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Easter!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7a2IbVSEnfE/VR8YRaICAZI/AAAAAAAAJRk/GtUjqFOko2g/s1600/eggs1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7a2IbVSEnfE/VR8YRaICAZI/AAAAAAAAJRk/GtUjqFOko2g/s1600/eggs1.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: center;">I colored eggs with a little friend of mine, but couldn't resist taking some pictures of them just as they were in their natural "before" beauty.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QQ4Fg-ReqKI/VR8YUvC8-II/AAAAAAAAJRs/KRWunLUwfOc/s1600/eggs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QQ4Fg-ReqKI/VR8YUvC8-II/AAAAAAAAJRs/KRWunLUwfOc/s1600/eggs2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My friend took most of the eggs but I managed to keep these six back.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TPXGJxyr4tM/VR8YW8lkM2I/AAAAAAAAJR0/oR4iEQmJ3G8/s1600/Eggs3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TPXGJxyr4tM/VR8YW8lkM2I/AAAAAAAAJR0/oR4iEQmJ3G8/s1600/Eggs3.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you have a peaceful Easter.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sending you all lots of love!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-28382894161376147162015-02-10T04:00:00.000-08:002015-02-10T04:00:04.614-08:00Good Night, Irene<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--F7dichaf-o/UHuOX3hMCbI/AAAAAAAAGg0/Kwy8J6CIFT4/s1600/Mom%2Band%2BMe%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--F7dichaf-o/UHuOX3hMCbI/AAAAAAAAGg0/Kwy8J6CIFT4/s1600/Mom%2Band%2BMe%2B1.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Good Night, Irene<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ve been gone for a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to all my blog peeps who checked in on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom died last week so I have been in Kansas laying her to rest and celebrating her life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">She was 92 and I know she was ready to go, but it doesn’t really make it any easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was my mom and had always been there in my life and now she is gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say this more with amazement than anything else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Perhaps it really hasn’t hit me yet.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">We had the visitation and the funeral in the small town in which she had grown up and had always lived near.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of our family was able to come back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had five daughters, eleven grandchildren, and sixteen grandchildren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On her casket there were flowers representing each of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we weren’t crying, we were laughing, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These events are such emotional roller coasters, aren’t they? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Her obituary listed all the ways in which she was involved and busy with her community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People from the town came to hear my niece give a beautiful eulogy about her grandmother’s life and legacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the funeral, we traveled from the church to the cemetery over about seven miles of rural highway, the gentle hills rolling as far as the eye could see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A police car, its lights flashing led the way,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the hearse carrying my mom was right behind. I was in one of the first cars following.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About halfway to the cemetery, I looked back and saw the line of cars, their headlights on, rolling slowly up and down those hills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a beautiful sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Opposing traffic pulled over out of respect as we passed by.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">After the funeral dinner, we said goodbye to our cousins and the rest of us gathered at the hotel for more visiting, more crying, more laughing before we headed to our homes in Colorado, Oklahoma and California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I am sure I will write more about this once I process it all, or I may process it all by writing about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My long-time Betty readers know that’s usually how I do it.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">One resolution comes to me now: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to broaden my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to live a full, deep, wide life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means going outside my comfort zone, saying yes to opportunities when they present themselves, making time to do what is important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to be fearful about stretching, about doing new things. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to hold back and play it safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want be sure that I help others in whatever way they need to be helped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Death reminds us that this life is finite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time is precious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This 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SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Good night, Mom. Thanks for everything. I love you.</span><!--EndFragment--> Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-17673030910169580002014-12-15T04:00:00.000-08:002014-12-15T04:00:03.600-08:00Monday Morning Flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hi everybody!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Life is busy but good here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sAQNx6daPNw/VI5QFBFHXOI/AAAAAAAAJOQ/mu5oLxBpYqY/s1600/flowersmay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sAQNx6daPNw/VI5QFBFHXOI/AAAAAAAAJOQ/mu5oLxBpYqY/s1600/flowersmay.jpg" height="316" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QockLNbqHO0/VI5QLkwzxJI/AAAAAAAAJOY/L_PxWJ7PTIU/s1600/mag3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QockLNbqHO0/VI5QLkwzxJI/AAAAAAAAJOY/L_PxWJ7PTIU/s1600/mag3.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UUUN2c-oroI/VI5QamE1NnI/AAAAAAAAJOo/WV4WGvBonXE/s1600/lillies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UUUN2c-oroI/VI5QamE1NnI/AAAAAAAAJOo/WV4WGvBonXE/s1600/lillies.jpg" height="305" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are finishing up a busy semester at school and getting ready for the holiday season.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope all is well with you!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;" width="80"></td><td style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia, bookman old style, palatino linotype, book antiqua, palatino, trebuchet ms, helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, avante garde, century gothic, comic sans ms, times, times new roman, serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><i><b>When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;">~Erma Bombeck</span></div>Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-61594562262282608992014-11-24T04:00:00.000-08:002014-11-24T07:38:35.120-08:00Monday Morning Flowers!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Monday, People!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Are you ready for the party called life?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope so!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-km3zsccshgE/VHK9yBzl9WI/AAAAAAAAJNw/7kHDjRYW4-w/s1600/white1114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-km3zsccshgE/VHK9yBzl9WI/AAAAAAAAJNw/7kHDjRYW4-w/s1600/white1114.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BKzbpoVf3mA/VHK9vyde9SI/AAAAAAAAJNg/1emRzxbmEZU/s1600/purple114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BKzbpoVf3mA/VHK9vyde9SI/AAAAAAAAJNg/1emRzxbmEZU/s1600/purple114.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9B0sOTDXQPg/VHK9wxTWjDI/AAAAAAAAJNo/mjPy9IMkB0g/s1600/white21114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9B0sOTDXQPg/VHK9wxTWjDI/AAAAAAAAJNo/mjPy9IMkB0g/s1600/white21114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9B0sOTDXQPg/VHK9wxTWjDI/AAAAAAAAJNo/mjPy9IMkB0g/s1600/white21114.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">It's Thanksgiving week here in the States. <br /><br />We have so much for which to be grateful. <br /><br />It's incredible, isn't it? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am grateful for Mondays, for flowers, and for all of you! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Monday! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong style="font-size: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </strong></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #272727; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><strong style="font-size: inherit;"><img align="left" alt="Thankful-Printable" src="http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/137629/file-389694580-jpg/Thankful-Printable.jpg?t=1416611940907" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; float: left; height: auto !important; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px; max-width: 100%; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; width: 275px;" title="" width="275" /><strong style="font-size: inherit;"></strong></strong></span><strong style="font-size: inherit;"></strong><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-9294189083909299272014-11-21T04:00:00.000-08:002014-11-21T05:37:25.201-08:00Gifts of the Season<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>452</o:Words> <o:Characters>2582</o:Characters> <o:Company>None</o:Company> <o:Lines>21</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>3170</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>11.1539</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotShowRevisions/> <w:DoNotPrintRevisions/> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vp0wkhwHotE/VG6szm9rM6I/AAAAAAAAJNU/VXNIQQR10i8/s1600/Santa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vp0wkhwHotE/VG6szm9rM6I/AAAAAAAAJNU/VXNIQQR10i8/s1600/Santa.JPG" height="286" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Christmas time is coming up which means many of us will contribute to a toy drive of some kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">For years I did what most people do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I eagerly strolled down the toy aisle, delighted to buy a big colorful gift for a child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tonka Toys, Matchbox Cars, Lincoln Logs, Legos, dolls, action figures, Slinkies, crayons were all there to transport me back to my and my sons’ childhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I thought about the delight on the faces of the children who would receive them and smiled as I dropped them in the big box outside the store.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Then one year I worked behind the scenes with one of the organizations that sponsored the toy drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fun to be given a basket along with a list of ages of the children in the families I was picking for.</div><div class="MsoNormal">In front of me were giant crates of donated toys, organized and labeled according to age ranges and gender. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The crate for the little ones was overflowing and the adolescents had a good selection as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the crate labeled “Girls Ages 12-16” had a good supply of things like scarves, purses, and fun blank books, and jewelry boxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It was when I got the “Boys: Ages 12-16” that my heart sank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The supply was meager and the selection looked like cast-offs from the 99 Cent Store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When there was nothing left in the crate, I asked the supervisor what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She shrugged and said, “Just give them one out of the little kid boxes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Perhaps it is because I have known the stigma of poverty, or because I am the mother of sons, but this experience really affected me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boys between the ages of twelve and sixteen are perhaps some of the most conflicted, most tender, and most misunderstood creatures on the planet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">They are caught between childhood and adulthood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything in our culture is screaming at them about what they should be and do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The true little voices inside their heads are devalued and many times drowned out completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Often times when there are financial burdens in the family, the older children are rushed into adulthood. When the holidays roll around, the resources and attention are given to the younger kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">The older males, especially, have to rise to the occasion, and do what is expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside they may still be little boys, but circumstances dictate they sacrifice for the good of the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">They do it because they have to. The options open to then are as colorless and meager as the collection of items I saw in the crate that day.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So now, I don’t head to the toy aisle when it’s time to make my yearly donation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, I buy several presents I know will be right for boys between the ages of twelve and sixteen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look for good wallets, battery-operated coin sorters, I-Tune gift cards, cool watches, key chains that double as tools, and great t-shirts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I like to think of the boy who receives my present leaning up against the wall on Christmas morning, watching all the little kids open their presents, grinning at their exuberance, and then opening his, nodding and smiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I hope my present helps balance the gap between childhood and adulthood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">More than anything else I hope it keeps his pride intact and his boyish heart alive for just a little bit longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><!--EndFragment-->Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-87547924701620716842014-11-19T04:00:00.000-08:002014-11-19T05:27:25.325-08:00Dancing at the Wedding<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>346</o:Words> <o:Characters>1974</o:Characters> <o:Company>None</o:Company> <o:Lines>16</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>3</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>2424</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>11.1539</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotShowRevisions/> <w:DoNotPrintRevisions/> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sMotJeoExJ0/VGwdT_gJBAI/AAAAAAAAJNA/U6lYVCcT9ds/s1600/pink11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sMotJeoExJ0/VGwdT_gJBAI/AAAAAAAAJNA/U6lYVCcT9ds/s1600/pink11.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The bride was alerted by the staff that it was nearly time to shut down the wedding venue but there were still rowdy guests out on the dance floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">She came to investigate and looked around expecting, I suspect, to find her similarly-aged (perhaps intoxicated) friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead she looked at us—five moms and two young women we had recruited into our circle-- and said, “Oh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s you guys!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all waved to her and kept dancing our hearts out to “Build Me Up Buttercup.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">We continued dancing when the next song came on, knowing our time was limited and bathed in that particular happy light only a wedding can produce. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I looked around at the circle of women, mostly in their fifties, the assortment of flowing dresses adorning various body types.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life had been very different for all of us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mother of the bride, swayed in time with the mother of the groom --one from Washington, the other from Scotland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I danced next to a woman I had known for years and one I had met just hours before. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">There were no partners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We simply danced, a vibrant moving flower whose colorful petals waved and moved in the wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two younger women danced with us and we enfolded them in the circle. We mothers felt the strength and glory that comes from producing life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had all been through joy and heartache.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life had given us some muddy gravel roads to traverse and also some gorgeous perfect roses along the way. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The younger women in the group had all that in front of them, the exquisitely beautiful and the painfully ugly, and at that moment, they all felt every bit of power and support in that group that they too, would make it through the journey and be just fine.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I love being where I am in this life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Behind me are the insecurities of youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No longer do I hide as a wallflower, waiting to be asked to dance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dance when I want to, regardless of having a partner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love being with women my own age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We understand each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We get it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We support one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gone are the small, petty differences we thought were so important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Age brings wisdom, perspective, and a whole lot of forgiveness.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The last song played and we finally said good night to one another, lingering just a little before scattering out to our homes, knowing full well that we would never be together again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It was a moment in time that was both finite and infinite. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The song ended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our music did not. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><!--EndFragment-->Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-31953235023071914062014-11-14T04:00:00.000-08:002014-11-14T06:37:46.176-08:00It's a Sign (2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dear Life,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hGGIUXnJGNI/VGV6PrDkMyI/AAAAAAAAJMw/FR-Lx0Fhaek/s1600/pleaseslow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hGGIUXnJGNI/VGV6PrDkMyI/AAAAAAAAJMw/FR-Lx0Fhaek/s400/pleaseslow.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Betty<br /><br />P.S. I am grateful for it all.</div>Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-82076332881139173112014-11-03T04:00:00.000-08:002014-11-03T04:00:17.495-08:00Monday Morning Flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Monday!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's the start of a new week!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It will be a busy one for me, but I intend to make it a good one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jgvmDt79t0A/VFbolVX4A1I/AAAAAAAAJMQ/SaIIkp_lrwQ/s1600/purplenov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jgvmDt79t0A/VFbolVX4A1I/AAAAAAAAJMQ/SaIIkp_lrwQ/s1600/purplenov.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RBgcOzk6m5o/VFbooAlVopI/AAAAAAAAJMY/ixk4DbR_Uu0/s1600/whitenov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RBgcOzk6m5o/VFbooAlVopI/AAAAAAAAJMY/ixk4DbR_Uu0/s1600/whitenov.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-07BtuEIdQVc/VFboqdB_hqI/AAAAAAAAJMg/KH2nlihyGq8/s1600/yellowrosenov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-07BtuEIdQVc/VFboqdB_hqI/AAAAAAAAJMg/KH2nlihyGq8/s1600/yellowrosenov.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you have a good one too!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px;"><img alt="" height="400" src="http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0222/6410/files/mondays_grande.jpg?3277" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; font: inherit; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="320" /></span></div>Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-8178475666228938212014-11-02T03:00:00.000-08:002014-11-02T03:00:00.494-08:00It's a Sign<div class="utdU2e" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"></div><div class="tx78Ic" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"></div><div class="aHl" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-left: -38px;"></div><div id=":l6" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;" tabindex="-1"></div><div class="ii gt m1464a360aacd8462 adP adO" id=":ku" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 5px 15px 0px 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="a3s" id=":kt" style="overflow: hidden;">(One in a series)<br /><br /><br /></div><div class="a3s" id=":kt" style="overflow: hidden;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QzRsjhdvpgU/U4fsTkYyVyI/AAAAAAAAI8k/PISjVENQH8o/s1600/lookafter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QzRsjhdvpgU/U4fsTkYyVyI/AAAAAAAAI8k/PISjVENQH8o/s1600/lookafter.jpg" height="365" width="400" /></a></div><div class="a3s" id=":kt" style="overflow: hidden;"><br /></div><div class="a3s" id=":kt" style="overflow: hidden;"><br /></div><div class="a3s" id=":kt" style="overflow: hidden;"><br /></div><div class="a3s" id=":kt" style="overflow: hidden;">This has to be one of my favorite signs of all times. <br /><br />It was in a busy breezeway of a Sydney office building. People passing by the sign were entering a street congested with people walking and running, people on skateboards and bikes and crazy, crazy traffic, so I suppose on one level it's just about safety. <br /><br />Don't run into each other. <br /><br />Don't run over each other. <br /><br />That sort of thing,<br /><br />In that respect, I like the fact it doesn't scream out scary two-syllable words such as "Caution!," "Danger!," "Hazard!" like large paranoid, smug, omniscient birds just waiting from above to squawk out, "Told you so! Told you so!"</div><div class="a3s" id=":kt" style="overflow: hidden;"><br />However, to me, this is less about temporarily watching so we don't careen into somebody at the end of a work day. <br /><br />This pretty much sums up my philosophy of life. <br /><br />It's a busy life, a great and awesome time on the Earth. Sometimes it's a scary life, sometimes a lonely life. Sometimes it's overwhelming.<br /><div><br /></div>Look up, look around, find those who need you and be of service.<br /><br />This is why we are put on this planet.<br /><br />It's pretty simple, really.<br /><br />Let's all look after each other. <br /><br /><br /></div></div>Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-79124571871881069712014-10-31T04:00:00.000-07:002014-10-31T04:00:26.004-07:00Happy Halloween!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e4kbemuc5hc/VFLyss4nnXI/AAAAAAAAJLw/kqJhkRQ5X5c/s1600/kiadog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e4kbemuc5hc/VFLyss4nnXI/AAAAAAAAJLw/kqJhkRQ5X5c/s1600/kiadog.jpg" height="435" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Kia Louise is ready! </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Are you?</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Boo!</b></div>Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046431562863991639.post-88362433929761010502014-10-29T04:00:00.000-07:002014-10-29T06:40:04.196-07:00Just One Thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For years one of my New Year's resolutions has been "Drink More Water." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sound familiar?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lucky for me I have one VERY SMART friend (who just happens to be the girlfriend of my Sonny Boy) who introduced me to these water bottles back in June.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-keXiU3N74qY/VE7_dNn1CdI/AAAAAAAAJLg/WZEAZOJ0X_U/s1600/threebottleclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-keXiU3N74qY/VE7_dNn1CdI/AAAAAAAAJLg/WZEAZOJ0X_U/s1600/threebottleclose.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The are made by Copco and are the best water bottles on the PLANET!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have used them consistently since June and because of them I am one well-hydrated woman these days. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IBNGMzMvYQ0/VE7_Uh9bH5I/AAAAAAAAJLY/ZxBZV-6mTtk/s1600/bluebottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IBNGMzMvYQ0/VE7_Uh9bH5I/AAAAAAAAJLY/ZxBZV-6mTtk/s1600/bluebottle.jpg" height="232" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The best thing about these bottles is they unscrew so you can clean them. You can also add big pieces of ice to get cold water fast OR you can put strawberries, cucumbers, lemons, etc. in them to make for some tasty H2O.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l5ltbwsSC4M/VE7_S4F3VhI/AAAAAAAAJLQ/isqE5ocEg8Q/s1600/three%2Bbottles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l5ltbwsSC4M/VE7_S4F3VhI/AAAAAAAAJLQ/isqE5ocEg8Q/s1600/three%2Bbottles.jpg" height="380" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Because I am a nut, I bought eight of them. I keep four at school and keep four at home. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">They run about $8.00-$10.00 a bottle. You can buy them on Amazon. I got mine at JoAnn's for $7.50 with a 20 percent off coupon. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some might want a bigger size, and some companies make ones that unscrew like these that are larger. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For me, these are just right. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I take one with me in the morning and drink it on the way to school and always grab one at quitting time and drink it on the drive home. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Driving time is drinking (water) time! </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">My cat Zelda believes that any water glass is her personal cat bowl, so these have also come in handy to have by my bed. Not that I don't appreciate some flavorful cat saliva in my water....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sometimes it takes just one little thing to make life so much easier. It may seem silly to do a happy dance over a water bottle, but I am certainly doing just that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy Hydration, My People!</div>Bossy Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.com13