Monday, May 30, 2011

Blood Sweat & Tears

I dedicate this post to my Paw Paw, 
who is a heroic man in my eyes!

I wanted to post a letter he wrote to document his memories, which is extra special because it is based around his cabin in Colorado we just got back from.  Paw Paw, I cannot express the love and memories we have from the cabin you built from the ground up!!!!!!  Will forever be cherished and remembered, just like your strength and service for our country.  

Happy Memorial Day!




MEMORIES



As I rummaged through the assortments of boxes, various pictures brought forth memories, memories that kept pulling my mind off my main project.  Memories such as Gay Gay’s first birthday party at Granny Vera’s house, the first pictures of Gay Gay’s new sister Gari, and then pictures of her new baby brother, Don Gregory.  I was sidetracked further by school pictures, vacation pictures, and pictures taken at the Brooke Farm with all the cousins.   There were pictures of their college days at Abilene Christian University, pictures of all three children upon their graduation from ACU, and too, there were wedding photos, and pictures of grandchildren. 

But the pictures I was searching for were the ones of the first Christmas after the Colorado cabin was completed.  “Completed” is a gross overstatement.  It had walls, a roof, windows, doors, and an excellent wood stove.  Also, there was an operational gas cook stove.  By Christmastime we had running water and a functional sewage system, both being completed about the middle of November.  The studs were up for all the inner walls, but nothing covered the studs.

There was one operational bathroom, and the mattresses were placed on the floor.  That was “roughing it” to some city folk, but I thought it was a very glorious way to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the CHRIST CHILD!  I remember we had snowfall most every night and the wood-fired stove kept the cabin cozy throughout our stay.  

There was no kitchen sink and Granny Gayle prepared the meals on a sheet of ¾” plywood placed upon two sawhorses that were carefully positioned in her kitchen.  It was unhandy, but Gayle would draw water from the adjoining bathroom and she did a skillful job of preparing our meals. 

We had no curtains on the windows and since the cabin faced the east, the gorgeous, full moon provided so many lumens that it was very difficult to fall  asleep.  While awaiting sleep to overtake my brain, I stared at the ceiling, all the while, drawing blueprints in my mind for the next cabin, and too, wondering what kind of chandelier Gayle wanted above the dining table.  As I turned my body, awaiting sleep to overtake me,  I gazed at the wood flooring saying to myself, “Someday we’ll install carpet!”

I reluctantly forced myself back to reality and kept flipping pictures and finally discovered three pictures of the cabin at the bottom of a dusty stack.  Strange, but to my disbelief, the cabin looked like many other mountain chalets, and I wondered aloud, “Will the kids or grand children even care about pictures of this log cabin; do they even care what it looked like?  Will they remember the fun we had building it? (Maybe I should just say the fun ‘I’ had building it?) Will they remember the thrilling ski trips? Would Kelsey remember that she wrote a book (Which is in the Richardson ISD library) about the cabin and the fun filled summer she experienced, while hiking, picking/eating wild berries and just enjoying the laidback Colorado lifestyle in the Rocky Mountain high-country?”   And, would they remember the many motorcycle rides in the San Juan National Forest.  WHAT FUN!!!!!

I mulled it over awhile and I thought to myself, “I sincerely hope they remember”.  I am a little selfish, I suppose, hoping they would remember, because that log cabin, to this day, remains a very important part of my life.  Throughout my life my heart has filled with rapture when, with these two hands, I have made something. (Maybe that is what motivated me to write the piece titled “HANDS”).  That rapture, early on, was validated by the successful building of our very first colored TV set 40 years ago, with the loyal assistance of Gari. 

Now that I have found the pictures of the cabin, I think I shall just lean back and dream of those days of yore, when the cabin construction was in its infancy.  I was working long hours, using my hands to construct something very dear, all the while joyfully whistling and thrilled beyond words.

DGB  18 December 2005



Trip photos from our last trip up next :)

Saturday, May 28, 2011

I'll be back

Photo found on Pinterest

Ohhhh bloggy blog blog ....
how I keep putting you on the back burner!
We're back from CO and have tons to update on,
BUT I am soaking up the holiday and will be back full force soon.

Enjoy, Xoxo

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Colorado Bound

Pagosa Springs - Photo found here

Hubs and I are off to Pagosa Springs, CO to spend some much needed R&R with my extended family.  The cool mountain air is calling my name ....


"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. 
So... get on your way!"
- Dr. Seuss

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Down for the count

Blogger made my comeback a little more lagged than expected, 
sorry friends!

This past week was busy with life, but I was able to fit in a much needed mani/pedi.  FIRST one since Australia last September, why did I wait so long because they needed some TLC for sure.  I got them a dark gray, which I was told is the new trend in Paris.  Ohh yes, I loveeeee it on me fingers and me toes :)

Google Images

Went to Nordstrom Rack VIP party ... yada yada ... thanks Mollie for being a valuable credit card customer because it lead to me getting lured into lots of good finds.  But, I am mostly excited about my new nude wedges and jealous of her zipper top.  I'm probably 5'10 in them and don't they just scream SUMMER!
Google Images


Then ate a tasty burger at Five Guys this past Friday, which turned out 6 hours later into severe food poisoning.  It hit me like a ton of bricks, and left me on my deathbed for 36 hours.  It seriously was the most awful sickness I have ever experienced, and Gabe was such a good strict nurse to keep me in bed and get lots of rest.  I am now just thankful to leave my bedroom aside from the ladies room calling my name.  With a 101.7 temp, Gatorade was my saving grace for 48 hours as it was the only thing my body would allow.  And, with my sweet momma as a nurse, I was told to drink lots of clear liquids to keep myself from getting dehydrated.  Woohoo, I'm on the up and almost back to my normal self.

weheartit.com


Our weekend plans were shot,
but here's to a great upcoming week and to be thankful for good health!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Whirleyball

It all started with a party bus of 24 to WhirlyBall Seattle!


We were all pumped for good-times being a kid again!
The last time I played WhirleyBall was for youth group when I was 14.


Diligently listening to instructions before getting our game on ....


Then it was on.


Jenn laughing and me taking it oh.so.serious.
(please note I don't even have the ball!)


But willing to bend like a Gumby to make magic happen :)


The birthday boy and the gals'


Next up, a whole lot of testosterone.


While the lovely ladies hung out



When was the last time you played WhirleyBall?
Did you wake up with bruises everywhere like us??


Thursday, May 5, 2011

Give.Good.

pinterest.com

I will leave you with this while I stumble through this week .... on top!
This needs to be taped to my bathroom mirror :)


Related Posts with Thumbnails



Harley the Yorkie

Willis the Lhasa Apso mut

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics
Dresses from Shabby Apple

Popular Deals


Search Seattle Smith's