Kingdom Hall Landscaping Project Completed!!!!!

This has been such a busy week!!!! 
We had only five days to get our Kingdom Hall
landscape completed for the Dedication of the Kingdom Hall this Saturday. 
We were here from 7:00 am to dark everyday.
But all things are possible with Jehovah's help!

All of these pipe are the markers for the irrigation lines that will water
all of the plants that we will be planting.

We could not have gotten this project completed in this short of time
and with so few volunteers without Dave and Cheryl Roark
and their tractor.  This was such a blessing!
They used it for digging trenches, hauling loads of mulch, rocks and trees.
This back breaking work would have been impossible without it!

The volunteers came and worked when they could. Young and old came to offer their help which was greatly appreciated!
Here is my grandson Maciah loading up wheel barrels.

Everybody worked so hard and I don't know about them but I am so sore!!!!

Ernie Williams and Dave Roark were setting the large boulders in place
for the front of the Kingdom Hall.

Pat was planted some of the garlic plants here, Carl took a break to help them with the placement of some of these rocks but he really worked so hard on the walkways, placing all of the bender board and smoothing the decomposed granite.
Marti Williams was so creative in helping to pick out all of the beautiful
plants and trees.  Also the placement of all those beautiful plants and trees was completed by the group of friends including Marti Williams, Terry Brown, and others.

My mom was even there everyday except the last day (I think we wore her out) digging holes, filling in trenches, sweeping the sidewalks, shoveling mulch and "yes" moving the wheel barrels.

We are on the last leg here. Tired and the ground was like concrete while we tried to make the holes for the last set of plants. But we were seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!!!!

These rocks were placed here to divert the cars from going into our rose garden.

It was so cool because so many friends had a part in this beautiful landscape.
This cactus and a palm were donated by brother and sister Smith.
We loved the fact that it looked like it is waving at us.
So even though many could not come and work they had a part by coming and
encouraging us each day with their kind words and some friends provided
donations for the landscape in plants and monies.

The decomposed granite that was existing as part of the previous landscape was recycled
into our walkways and the rose's were replanted into a rose garden. All of the previous
landscape materials were reused for this landscape.

The front of the Kingdom Hall is beautiful!

This week the pillars to the entrance were also completed with the placement of the rocks.
The inside had taken on a new uplift as well.
Cindy Olsen and many volunteers also repainted the stage area and the side walls.
This really made a difference! And it is now complete with flower
arrangements and tables for the entryway and stage!
So I can't wait to attend the Dedication this Saturday and look
forward to attending our meeting this Sunday with all of the friends......

Visit to Arizona December 2013...

Arizona is beautiful this time of year!  We went to see my brother Ray and his wife Zoila last week in Arizona. Ray has been wanting us to come and visit for 10 years now.
So we took the five hour drive with my mom to Goodyear, Arizona and we really
enjoyed our visit with our family.
This is a picture of a trail that leads to a viewing tower that you can see in the distance.
What a pretty place! Beautiful landscape!

Along the path is some beautiful landscape with flowing streams and rustic bridges.
Couldn't help but take a few pictures.
Mom hates to take pictures but we couldn't resist this one by the bridge.

Mom and I at the top of the observation tower.
What a beautiful view!

Caught Kim in deep thought at the top of the observation tower.
I think he was just catching his breath because there were a million stairs
to the top of this tower!
My calves were killing me for two days after this climb!

Me, Mom & Kim

Ray & Mom

Mom, me & Kim sandwich.....

This tree was so beautiful I couldn't resist taking a picture!

Kim and Ray and you can see the observation tower over Kim's shoulder.

Me and Ray

Beautiful Dessert Scape!!!!
Thanks Ray & Zoila for your wonderful hospitality.
We had a great time and look forward to
coming and visiting again soon!

Annual Unique Boutique Sale Coming!......

Unique Boutique

Upcoming Annual Sale!!!!

·        Gift Items

·        Home Décor

·        Clothing sizes 3 to plus sizes

·        Vintage items & clothes

·        Shoes

·        Children’s section

·        Much to many items to list…..

Friday & Saturday,

November 1st & 2nd 2013

8:00 am to 3:00 pm

31218 Gardenside Ln, Menifee, CA 92584

(951) 575-5026 Carlena or (951) 375-2888 Donna

We also accept all major credit cards!

See our ad at:  http://uniqueboutiquegirls.blogspot.com/

Oakland or Bust.....

On the road to Oakland to take Kamron home.
We left around 4:00 a.m. as we always do on a trip.
We love to drive and see the sun coming up just as we are coming over the grapevine.
Brings back old memories of vacations with our
boys when they were little and cuddled in their footsie pajamas in the back seat of the car.

The first stop when we got into Oakland was up on a hill at the Berkeley Rose Gardens.
This is one of Kamron's favorite spots to come and play music
and explore the beautiful park.
There was a huge cement slide the people were going down
on cardboard boxes.
Looks like fun!!!

The gardens and the park were just beautiful!!!!

As we were sight-seeing with Kamron in Oakland he decided to take us to a French Bakery....
Yumm!!!
Kim had a large coffee that was served in a huge bowl!!!!

This is the famous crooked street in San Francisco!!!
We came from behind it and rode down the street just like all of the tourists were doing....

We rented a place from Korey's friend who lives in San Francisco and it was just too cute!!!
Nice and clean and everything that we needed to be comfortable!

Some of the highlights of our trip...
Kamron took us all over town and we really can see why he enjoys this area!
No need for a car, public transportation and a bicycle is
all you need!!!!

And of course we can't go home without stopping in to our favorite pub in Santa Barbara!
The Brewhouse!
We shared a dinner and beer and then splerged on
their famous
goat cheese chipotle cheesecake with raspberry sauce!!!
Yumm!!!!

An Anniversary Celebration with Family and Friends......

Last week we celebrated Liz & Hiram's 19th Wedding Anniversary!!!

What a Blast!!!

Liz decided that she wanted to have a party with just close family and friends and 

we were going to just eat and dance until we dropped!

And that's exactly what we did!......

The stage was set....

Food, check.

Decorations, check.

Bar set-up, check.

Guest list set, check.

Cake, check.

Music, check.

Lights, check.

Fun, check, check,check!!!!

And that's what we did!!!

We had a blast dancing to old school music and funk!!!

We Ate, until we were full....

We drank our favorite drink....

And we celebrated with our friends and family....

And we had a blast watching Hiram let his hair down! 

(opps, he has no hair)

Well it was fun seeing Hiram have fun dancing and Liz so happy with the results of the party!

Ya Ya also had a blast dancing with us and he was so proud to give his parents their 

gift that he bought for them....

The party went on through the night and we had a blast!!!

Another great memory to reflect on......

Just Chillin' Over the Weekend.......

Balboa Island is my favorite place to be.....It is eye candy all the way!
Whenever I'm down and just need the space to think or just reflect you will see me at
Balboa Island.
Kim and I took the day Saturday and just walked around and enjoyed the beautiful
sea air and all of the beautiful scenery here at Balboa Island.
Here is a beautiful sand castle that someone made along one of the private beaches....

Then the next day we went down to Oceanside after the meeting and had fun on the beach with  Korey & Summuer and friends from their congregation who were having a picnic.

Then we went to Eddie and Felicia's boat that is docked at the Oceanside Harbor.

Eddie treated us to a wonderful cruise in the harbor and we had such a nice time
reminiscing about when we were kids with my brother Stephen and Kathy and my
mom and Kim....
We didn't leave until about 11:00 p.m. after we were almost kicked out of the harbor
for making so much noise laughing.....
 Eddie was showing off his Mick Jaggered lips here.....

The start of another sand castle along Balboa Harbor....

Mom and I posing and having fun along the harbor......

What a great time we had!  Just laughing and having fun!
We need more days like this!!!!!

Busy, Busy Life!!!!!!

Well a lot has been going on in my life since I last posted........

In between Kingdom Hall remodels, Regional Building Committee work, working in my home office, meetings, service, bridal showers, congregation gatherings and assembly hall cleanings we have also been making time for our family.  We had some quiet time with Korey & Summuer in San Diego last weekend.  Although it was just overnight it sure was nice to relax and visit with them.  They both have very busy lives as well so any time we get to spend with them is precious! We also spend much of our spare time with our grandbabies who keep us busy in their lives as well.

We have been remodeling our new Kingdom Hall in Sun City that is just around the corner from my mom's house. We are now finished with the remodel and we actually had our first meeting in the newly remodeled Kingdom Hall last Tuesday!!!!

We had a congregation luau that was so fun! It was so nice to get together with friends and family and just enjoy each others company.  This was bitter sweet though because many of our friends will be going to a new congregation that was formed as part of the growth that is going on in our area.  But we will see them at the conventions and I'm sure out in the ministry every once in a while.

I also went to my niece Chelsea's bridal shower on the same day as the luau.  I can't believe Chelsea is grown up now!  It seems like it was just the other day when I was carrying her in her infant seat into a fast food restaurant while babysitting her!!! The shower was a blast and they had great food and it was so nice to see Chelsea and her cousins all grown up.

We had the privilege of going to the Mira Loma Assembly hall and cleaning it with several other brother's and sister's in our area.  This is something I have never done in all of the years of serving Jehovah, and what a privilege it was!  We are use to going to the assembly hall and never putting much thought as to how this huge facility gets cleaned and maintained.  But now I know that this is done on a weekly basis by volunteers who come out and scrub toilets, mop floors, clean windows, repair electrical fixtures, change bulbs, pick weeds, etc.  This is all done voluntarily!  I had the privilege of doing windows with some of the friends in groups of three.  Do you know how many windows are at this facility?!!!!!  Well after cleaning these windows I was hurting from head to toe for a few days, but it was so worth it!  I would do it again, over and over again just for the experience of being there with my brothers and sisters.

We also had the privilege of going on a tour of some sections of the assembly hall.  I had no idea that there are classrooms going on for pioneer couples and elders and that there is a library there that is used for study by the students.  There is also utility rooms that house cleaning supplies and washers and dryers. There are also apartments there and a full kitchen out in the parking area!  All of this was so new to me and I wouldn't have even known these things had I not volunteered to come down and work there for the day!

We were all given a great lunch that was prepared by the local brothers and sisters there.  It felt like we were at one of the Bethel branches having lunch in the cafeteria. 

So here are some of the pictures that highlight what has been going on in my life......Enjoy!

Many volunteers young and old came to remodel our new beautiful Kingdom Hall on Del Monte.

The many faces of volunteers for the Kingdom Hall remodel 2013

Nice to enjoy the company of friends and family at the congregation luau.

Cae Cae's two favorite guys are working on her playhouse.  They moved it to the other side of the yard.  Daddy made the holes for her new flowers......

San Diego with Korey & Summuer...

My grand kids are growing up!!!! NO!!!! Can't they stay small!!!!!

Highlights of Chelsea's Bridal Shower.

This is the library that I never knew existed at the assembly hall.  The signs that are being held up by our tour guide are original signs that the brothers found that were used by the early pioneers in the ministry. How cool is that!!!
 And the library holds many of the old books and yearbooks. I remember many of these books from when I first learned the bible.  I first studied in the old "Paradise Lost" book.