What's the Buzz All About?

We have a quirky little neighbor over our back fence.  By little, a mean a child.  He's a funny little guy for sure!

Our yards are divided by a 6 foot fence.  That doesn't make for very good conversation time between neighbors but that little boy manages to make his presence known.  For some reason, he likes to throw his things over the fence.  Last Summer I'd find all sorts of toy and even some things that weren't toys.  One day I went out back and saw a big rake that I did not recognize.

At first, I'd call over the fence to his Mom about the treasures before tossing them back.  Now, I just toss them.  It had all stopped over the Winter and I would've guessed the little boy would be over this by now but I was wrong.  Bode recently showed up at the back door all A-Buzz.  Yes, he had Buzz Lightyear in his mouth!  When I investigated further I found Woody in the lawn.  I set them on the fence for a photo op before throwing them back.

Don't you just love it when neighbors drop by?

Remembering Jerry

This is my cousin's blog... check it out!  I want to encourage her to keep writing.

I'd especially like to share the post she did about the day her Dad, my uncle, died.  Her Dad was a great guy and he died a hero.

A Morning With an Old Young Friend

Saturday I enjoyed a delightful breakfast with my young friend, Laura.  We talked about serious things; we talked about nonsense.  We also talked about a lot of things in between.  I convinced her to allow me to snap a few photos of her as I sought her permission to mention her in my blog.  Those photos turned out to be of very poor quality; I must've been shivering when I took them.  However, I found a great photo shared on her FaceBook.  I don't think she'll mind that I share it instead...

To explain to you how I came to be friends with this young woman I think I should begin at the beginning...

Once upon a time we lived in Southern New Mexico.  When we moved there we met a family in the congregation who had three little girls.  The middle girl, Laura, reminded me so much of Laura Ingalls Wilder on Little House on the Prairie!  Remember her?  Well, this Laura was a pretty little brunette like her and had a similarly charming personality.  She just had a sense of FUN about her.  She was a 4th grader when we met.

We became friends with Laura's parents and enjoyed time with them.  Sadly, they moved away from New Mexico before we really got to know them as well as we'd have liked.  Their new home was in Iowa.  We kept in touch for a few years via Christmas Cards and such.  I'm pretty bad with the cards, though, and we ended up losing touch.

When Mike received an invitation to interview at a congregation in Wyoming we had a little mystery greet us.  People told us that just the week or so before Mike's interview, a couple with a tall, blonde teen-age daughter had visited the church.  When this small family heard the announcement that the congregation would be interviewing Mike, they'd mentioned to someone that they knew him.  However, no one remembered the name of the family and we just could not think of anyone we knew that fit that description.

Finally, while touring the church, we thought to read the guest book.  The family was, as you may have guessed, Laura's family.  We found out later they had just moved to this town in Wyoming.  Laura and her older sister, however, were in college in Iowa.  Her little sister was the tall blonde teen!  Ah, the lightbulbs came on!

Well, we again enjoyed getting to know Laura's parents and her little sister.  Laura's Mom became a good friend to me.  We did not live far apart and often shared rides to Bible Studies and such.  I found that she was one of the easiest people to talk with and we seemed to have a lot in common.

Laura ended up accepting a position working here and so we enjoyed reconnecting with her as well.  Sadly, her parents and sister have since moved on.  Happily, because Laura is here, they are occasionally back for visits.

 Laura was in a Christian group of young women that met for Bible Study and conversation.  At one point they all decided to seek out a mentor.  I was really honored when Laura asked me to fill that position for her.  That's when I really got to know her better.  I'm not always certain who is mentoring whom, but we share some good discussions and a lot of laughter.  We've become good friends and I really appreciate this young woman!

Do you have people in your lives that keep popping up like Laura's family?  Or maybe non-relatives that kind of feel like relatives?  For me, the best things in this life have to do with relationships.  I've been blessed with a lot of meaningful ones and for this I am grateful!

Vv

So simply said...


John 6:47 Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life.

A Quick Jaunt to South Dakota

I've had a little road time this week for sure.  As you know, I shuffled off to Buffalo on Tuesday.  That was a mighty nice day.  Then late Wednesday, after our Lenten Service at our church, we drove up to my Mom's place just a few hours from here.  She had agreed to put us up for the night as the next day we made a quick trip to South Dakota.

We were going to Rapid City for a meeting Mike planned to attend.  I wasn't working so I went along for the conversation time with Mike.  It was such a beautiful drive!  The weather was unseasonably warm and it was absolutely pleasant.  I got to spend a few hours shopping for yarn, always a fun time for me.

Of course, I took some photos to share...

We were only there a few hours then back to take my Mom, sister and nephew out to dinner.  After that, we headed home again, enjoying this beautiful sunset on the way.

A Wyoming Woman's Thoughts: Families, Genetics, and Me

This is my Aunt Michelle's blog debut and you are invited...

A Wyoming Woman's Thoughts: Families, Genetics, and Me: I've been working on a Family History scrapbook/photo album and it has made me think about all the people that went into making me. That sou...

Be Still and know: mpola mpola

Be Still and know: mpola mpola  I love this blog and this post.  I think you will as well.

Comments About Commenting

I want to address a problem some people have been having with my blog.  For some reason, there are people who can't leave comments for us all to read.  A few have told me that was the case for them even before I changed formats.  I've double-checked and I have it set up for anyone to comment so I'm not sure where that glitch is occurring.  However, I do know that a few may be having trouble figuring out how to comment since I switched formats.  I know this because I had trouble figuring out how to comment back!

So, here's the deal...

Of course you first have to click on one of the little windows to read a post.  I've noticed that sometimes it takes a try or two to get it to open up.  I don't know why.

Once a post is opened, it looks like this...

Do you see the little slide bar on the right side?

Use that to go to the bottom of the post.  Now you can see where to click to view comments.

The trouble is, when you click that it seems that nothing happens.  I expected to see comments at that point. Finally, I noticed that when I clicked "view comments" that little skinny slide bar moved upward.

I then had an ah-ha moment.  If you just slide that little bar down again, you can see the comments as well as add one of your own. 

Again, I am aware that it isn't working for everyone.  So, if that doesn't work, you may send a comment to my e-mail (onlythemanager@yahoo.com) and I will add it for you.  I know, that's a lot of trouble.  I will also keep trying to figure out the problem.  Until I do, though, I hate to miss the interaction!

Ok, that's all the comments I have about commenting.  

Any comments?

One last thing... if you are someone who has never blogged but would like to, check out this link.  It is easy to get started!  (This means YOU, Michelle!)

Wyoming Rose - Vintage Oval Earrings

Today I am featuring one of our vintage finds.  Maria and I are often out hunting for the quaint, the delightful, the beautiful or the fun.  Cordelia is our apprentice!

These Vintage Oval Earrings are really pretty.  Maria spotted them with her artistic eye.  She has good instincts, doesn't she?

Hugo and My Sewing Machine

I delayed posting this review but I didn't want to forgot to tell you, Mike and I went to see Hugo last week-end.  Have you seen it?  It is a Martin Scorsese film but absolutely family friendly.  I know! Who would've thought?  It is high tech and very cool.  It is touching and sweet.  It is exciting and action-packed.  Mike and I both really liked it.

The premise is a young boy becomes orphaned but manages to live in a Paris train station.  He takes over taking care of the giant clocks when his drunk uncle doesn't come back to work.  Hugo is very good at fixing broken mechanical things and gets satisfaction from having a purpose in life.  That lesson, a reminder that having a purpose brings joy, is worth the price of a movie ticket!

During the course of the film you will learn things about Paris, train stations, people, and early movies.  You may also become more fascinated with mechanics.  That sounds weird, I know, but this movie will make you really respect all that goes into the making of machines.

I happened to need to oil my sewing machine the day after I saw this movie.  I started really noticing all the parts and pieces that work together to help me sew a seam!

 This particular sewing machine was my Mom's before it became mine.  All those parts have been working together for about 40 years!

My Mom sewed professionally so many, many people wore clothes prepared on this machine.   I've often thought of my Mom's skills and creative talents that went into all those clothes, including men's tailored suits, lingerie, formals and even my own wedding dress.  I don't believe I've ever pondered all the parts of the sewing machine, though.

Of course the movie isn't really just about machines.  It is about our need for one another, the strength of the human spirit, the creative drive and so much more!  I hope you will get a chance to see it and if you do, let me know what you think.

An Afternoon in Buffalo

Yesterday was lovely.  The weather was beautiful, absolutely wonderful.  I drove to Buffalo, Wyoming to meet up with my Mom, an aunt and a cousin.   We met for lunch and then went to visit my great aunt.  It was an afternoon of hearing old, old family stories.  I loved hearing about my grandparents' romance, "Red was crazy about Rose from the first time he saw her."  Although they'd both been planning to marry others, they married just 2 months after they met.  

I heard about my great grandma's strength as a homesteader, "She was amazing".  She raised her children so far out in the country most of them did not see town until they were old enough to go in to board for their high school years.

I looked at old photos and could easily see my youngest son, Sam, in the young face of the man who became my Grandpa.  That made me happy.

My great aunt. Elsie is in her 90's but still living alone.  She looks a lot like my Grandma Rose... so much it made me a bit teary, missing my Grandma.  She had the same dimple I loved seeing when my Grandma smiled.  I always wished I'd inherited that dimple!

 I enjoyed the chance to get to spend an afternoon at her apartment.  I loved listening to the conversation and was so glad for that opportunity!  I did remember to pull out my camera for a photo of Elsie but she didn't feel she was looking her best so I promised I wouldn't put it on the internet.  I will tell you this, though, she looks much younger than her true age.

I have always loved Buffalo, Wyoming.  The drive there was windy but clear and bright.  The scenery was fit for calendars and the town is charming.  I took some photos so my readers could enjoy a bit of the beauty of this lonesome state.  Enjoy!

On the ride to Buffalo I was thinking about all the places in the world that I'd like to visit.  I LOVE the ocean, I enjoy tropical places, I want to see Alaska and I'd love to explore more cities.  As far as where I live, though, I love the West.  I love the open spaces and I love the casual lifestyle. I'm pretty adaptable and could live most anywhere, really, but I'm grateful that I do life in the West.

Mall Lunch

Recently our son, Ben, called to chat.  I love it when he calls as he lives far away and I get lonely for him.  When he asked what I'd been up to I told him I'd just returned from Mall Lunch.  He claims that I've always just returned from Mall Lunch.  That's not true but we do, as a family, attempt to meet at the mall for lunch about once a week.  Is that weird?

Wyoming has long winters.  This hasn't been a bad winter at all, but it just isn't good picnic weather.  In fact, even when it is warm here it is sometimes difficult to find a good picnic day because it is often windy.  Anyway, somewhere along the way we started going to the mall.  None of us are really big shopping kind of people.  It's funny, though, to take Cordelia somewhere makes everything more fun!

Usually Maria, Cordy and I are the first to arrive.  Sometimes we let Cordelia play at the indoor playground (AKA germ pit).  Sometimes we wander through Bath and Body Works to "smell stuff".  We also frequently find ourselves at Target looking at pretty little dresses for Cordelia.  She prefers the twirly kind.  If you are female, you know what I mean by that!

Eventually, we head toward the Food Court and watch for the arrival of Mike and Sam.  We all get our lunches from the fast food of choice and meet around a table for lively conversation as we fill our bellies.

We've also carried our people-watching skills to a new level.  Maria and I started noticing one lady who is almost ALWAYS there. She is always alone and very quiet.  Even when I attempt to say hello to her it seems to make her uncomfortable.  That's OK.  We still look for her each week.  We've even given her a name.  I suppose you think that is weird, too?

After lunch we wander around a bit and look for little adventures for Cordelia.  Grandpa often leads the parade for this part of the day.  Often they head toward the pet store.  I forbid myself from visiting the puppies with them.  I have a good reason for that but I covered that in another post.  Sometimes we wander through campers that are on display or visit the little arcade room.  Our mall is not too big but we always manage to have a good time.  Do you suppose it is just because we enjoy being together?

                     

I'm really grateful and pleased when someone wants to share my posts or photos. Please just remember to link them back to my blog. It's the right thing to do; you know it is.

A Sweet Sunday Stroll

Uu

Our weekly Bible verse for the ABC's of Bible Memorization begins with the letter "U".  Remember, anyone who lets me know they've memorized all of the verses will be offered a handmade prize!  Woo Hoo!

Psalm 119:116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope. 

Save Those Legs!

My Mom is a lovely person, a kind mother and my friend.  You know how there are "givers" and "takers" in this world?  Well, my Mom is most definitely a "giver".  In fact, she is among the most givingest givers ever!  That is a fact.  I wanted you to know that before I tell you about her dark side.

My Mom is famous for mailing packages late...sometimes very, very late.  The truth is, I think she really hates mailing packages.  Sometimes she just never mailed them at all.  One year, when we lived several states away from her, she gave us all our year's worth of birthday presents at once... in July!  The thing is, she would buy the gifts in a timely manner, it was just that post office bit that threw her for a loop.

Actually, it was quite entertaining to us.  Sometimes it was a lot of fun because packages would arrive when you least expected them, maybe on a day one of us really needed a lift or something.  We tease her but it is just one of her characteristics we find charming.  In fact, I apparently thought it was such an endearing trait that I've been working for years and feel I've done a pretty good job of perfecting it in myself.

Recently, I received an unexpected package from Mom.  It was addressed to me and I did have a birthday in February so I thought maybe it was a birthday present.  The odd thing was that Mom and I had traveled together to Minnesota in February and she had bought me some really cool presents already at that time.  Also, we've kind of phased out of that mode of buying gifts all the time because we all have so much already.  My concern with the package was that I thought maybe Mom had forgotten all that.  I was wrong.

When I opened the little package I laughed out loud.  This is what I saw...

You see, when Mom and I were on our trip she learned about how deeply cheap I am.  One day I came out of the hotel bathroom looking for a band-aid as I'd cut myself shaving.  She was rather appalled when I told her that usually happens when I start with a new razor.  I just buy whatever is on sale, pretty much always looking for the cheapest deal.  As it turns out, all razors are not created equal. Who knew?  Mom gave me a little lecture about buying better razors.  I believe I was planning to follow that advice, but not until I'd used up the whole bag of cheap razors, of course.  Well, Mom knows me pretty well so she just sent me the new, improved razors.

Isn't it pretty?  And can you believe it, there are 5 blades!  Best of all.... NO BLOOD!

Thanks, Mom!  I promise I will throw out the vampire razors!

Giraffe Teapot!

Recently my friend Nicole was in a thrift store.  She said she saw something that had my name on it so she had to get it for me.  Nicole and her daughter, Letty, brought this to me at church.  Thank you so much, guys!  I love him!  Not only does he look cool, but he sounds cool.  When the water is hot he doesn't whistle a high pitched whistle like most tea pots.  He has kind of a low, tenor kind of whistle.  That's how I knew he was a boy!  Thank-you!

Wyoming Rose - Perfectly Pretty Poncho

This sweet Perfectly Pretty Poncho is one of my favorites.  I really love how it turned out.  I found this yarn in Great Falls, MT last Summer and I knew I had to make something out of it.  The yarn itself has a gentle bulkiness but is so, so soft!  It has enough variety of color I can see it being worn with yellows, golds, mint, burgundy or others.  I think it would look especially great with jeans... but then I think everything looks great with jeans, don't you?

I used a double crochet for most of the poncho but I decided to switch it up for the bottom rows.  You can see that it gave it a bit of intrigue without making it too busy.  Because it is a poncho, it will fit most teenagers or adult women.  That is one of the nice things about ponchos, it is easy to choose a size!  It is also washable and machine dryable, although I'd recommend a gentle cycle to keep it beautiful.

I put many hours into  this poncho but it is available at Wyoming Rose Boutique for only $35.  It would make such a nice Spring gift but I think after you feel it you'd have a hard time giving it away!

Thank you for Inviting Me!

Earlier this week Maria invited me to join Cordelia and her at the local library for story time.  I've done this before but it has been awhile.

Story Time at our library is interactive.  There is jumping and dancing and clapping and lots of fun.  Previously, Cordelia just watched as all those other children participated.  Well, things have changed!

When I arrived, the girls were waiting for me just inside the door.  Cordelia hugged me and excitedly said, "Thank you for inviting me!"  She had that a bit backwards but I got the idea.  She then took my hand to lead me to the children's library section and said, "We will keep you safe!"  AAaaaaaahhh....

Here she is, watching with her Momma as the story lady gets things set up.

She really loved the dancing the best.

Her cute little boots were rarely still but I managed one shot between all the kicks and bounces.

 She really liked the hands on her hips movement that day.

Sometimes she just needed a moment with Momma.  She also had to keep checking on Momma's purse.  Apparently the little toddler next to them looked suspicious and Cordelia wasn't confident that Maria would guard her own purse.  Cordy finally had to pick it up and move it between me and Maria so she could relax.

 I think maybe her shy days are behind her!

I love that you stopped by to read my blog. I'm really grateful and pleased when someone wants to share my posts or photos. Please just remember to link them back to my blog just because it is the right thing to do.