My Busy Life.......

Last week Kim and I had the best time out in wine country with some old friends. (Not old in age but long time friends) But when I think of how long we have known these friends...
I think yes, we are OLD!

My mom is putting a fire ring out in her backyard so I offered to make some adirondack chairs to go around the ring.
This is the result! Not too shabby! I got the template and instructions from this website:
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2012/08/02/free-adirondack-chair-plan-printable/
If you follow the instructions to just send the copy of the template to your nearest copy center
it works just great! The two sheets cost only $6.00 at your copy center.
If I can do it anyone can do this.

I have also started cutting the glass for my second window of five that I need to make for my garage door. This is very therapeutic to me. Each window will have it's own individual jewels in it but they will all look similar to the others.

Kim and I took a much needed day off to just play hookie from any chores or responsibilities and we went to the beach on a date. Oceanside was just beautiful that day!
Kim is in his glory eating his crab bucket at Joe's Crab Shack on the harbor.

With all that is going on in our lives....it's always so nice to just come into the backyard especially this time of year.
My Uncle Ducky made this plaque for his house and I cherish it.
This house is much appreciated and we know Uncle Duck's would have been proud that we are now here living in his home. I know that he would have loved what we have done with his yard.

It's springtime and despite the fact that I have not yet fed any of my plants or taken the time to prune anything, it seems like they are just as happy in their space as I am to be in their space!

It's so nice to come back here and just enjoy the sound of the water trickling and the birds chirping.  I love to read back here and do my personal study.

These flowers only bloom for a short while during spring then they just turn green throughout the rest of the year. So I really enjoy their showy display while I have them.

The geraniums are happy and in full bloom also!

This little bird feeder was placed right where the sprinklers hit it so the birds didn't use it much.
I found the solution to that problem.
 My succulents just love the spot and it's not so bad to look at!

I've never been able to grow bougainvillea before but this one lasted all winter and
is showing me that it is very happy in our little retreat of a backyard.... 

My grandson Maciah loves tomatoes....so what does a "Ammy" do for their grandchildren?
Of course, plant three tomato plants!!!

I love the trickling water from this wall fountain!
It not only sounds great but it sure does make the space feel refreshing!

Before I went in I had to put together a vase of freshly cut roses from our yard to enjoy!
They are very fragrant and they remind me to appreciate the simply things in life even when our lives are so hectic....

Thank you Jehovah.

Starting a New Assignment.....Upland Kingdom Hall!

Kim and I had the privilege of volunteering our time this last weekend on a new assignment for

RBC (Regional Building Committee).

 We were assigned to the Safety/First-Aid compliance department for the Upland Kingdom Hall that will be built here in Upland.

 This building was previously a Coco's Restaurant. There is much work that will be done on this project. The parking lot has already been completed with new concrete and it looks beautiful!

 The interior has been gutted and the foundation also had to be removed. 

Apparently it was not up to code. So new concrete will be poured. 

Inside the gutted building we went over the daily text before breakfast.
 The Spanish congregation provided a wonderful breakfast for us as usual!
It's always encouraging working with our brothers and sisters.
As you can see this site is in it's raw state, not even concrete is poured yet on the inside!

The security crew sits out here all night and they have a small fire pit going all night to keep warm.
This is an area with a lot of crime and theft and they have experienced all kinds of characters coming on to the site to steal and vandalize, so this is so necessary!!!!

Inside, the remnants of the facade to the old Coco's restaurant.

Safety was much needed there!!!!

Several brothers were on the roof  waterproofing it. 
They volunteered their time all day until the job was done.
Very hard workers!

We look forward to seeing this site evolve into a beautiful Kingdom Hall in the next few months.
I will keep you posted with the progress.....

The Results.....of the first of five windows!!!

Isn't it beautiful!!
I love the patchwork of clear glass with the contrast of the more bold colors that the Rodells and the globs give out.
This has been a fun piece to work on.

Now on to the next piece!!! One down four more to go!!!

De-stressing.....

I am inspired by this piece that I saw online and decided to recreate it in my own style.

I have five windows in my single car garage door that I decided I would install them in. 

I'm working on the first window of a series of five.

The process is slow and tedious but I find it very theraputic.
Each piece is cut and ground down to shape.
After I do the grinding and refining of each piece then I foil each piece to prepare it for soldering.

I'm almost done with this first window and then on to the next!

Quality Time With My Cae Cae.....

I've always day dreamed of making cookies with my little sister

        (but I never had a little sister)......

then I day dreamed about making cookies with my daughter

         (but I never had a daughter)........

   But dreams do come true...

I got to make cookies with my granddaughter Cae Cae

this last Friday. I don't know if she will ever know how precious this moment was for her "Ammy."

I had to capture the moments with her. Although she was so tired and extremely her usual self as the boss and mean when she is tired, she really seemed to be enjoying the experience! 

                        

Check out the expression on her face it's not a frown but she is in deep thought trying to make the balls perfect!

After our baking and tasting time she just couldn't keep her eyes open.
I loved every bit of it!!!!
I love being a Grammy or as Cae Cae calls me "Ammy"

Knott's Berry Farm 2013

It's that time again!
Our annual trip to Knott's Berry Farm with Liz & Hiriam and our grandbabies!
We had a blast as usual!!!!

We started off with pics with Snoopy on our way to the
entrance of Camp Snoopy!

Cae Cae looks bored here before her ride on the child's version of free fall.
But she was soon surprised!!!
She did not like this one.....had to take her off!

The kids were having a blast while they waited on the lines
for their favorite rides.....

Zaeden and Cae Cae had a loved the train ride but Cae Cae
cried every time each ride was done....
And who dressed the kid in the front row? Yikes!!!

Cuddle Time!!!!

Is that a phony smile on Cae Cae's face or what?

Bree and Zae Zae and YaYa and Cae Cae....

Cae Cae waiting for the next ride....

I think Sheri loves the rides more than the kids!!!
She rode all of the rollercoasters fearlessly!!!!

Best buddies!

Cae Cae stealing the shot!

Weeeeee........

Ya Ya and Bree.

Zae Zae and his Grandma.

Tired after a long day on the rides but it was so much fun!!!
Look forward to the next time.....

Damsel In De-Stress Creations....2014

This is a logo my friend Pam sketched for me a few years ago for my trailer.
Everybody that has to work for a living wishes that they can do something that
they really and truly love doing instead of working at a job that they hate.
Well, I'm no different!
I have been in business for many years now doing what I absolutely hate
 "Bookkeeping,"
(but it's what I know how to do)!

So I decided that I am going to try to transition into something that makes me happy while things are slow for my business....

I am going back to doing my stained glass which I have always found to be
therapeutic and making junk jewelry.
I plan to sell my items on
Etsy under my business name "Damsel In De-Stress Creations"
So I will keep you posted.....