Wednesday, June 3, 2009

First Summer Vacation Post

Ahhhh, finally I'm feeling like it really is summer vacation. It took a week. A very busy week. In my last post, I told you that I was going hiking with the girls. I have a few pictures of our adventure to show you. We went hiking up a trail in the Mt. Evans area. Mt. Evans is one of several 14ers (I forget how many, which is awful because I should know that) in Colorado. There was still snow on the trail in places, and it was a little chilly when we weren't walking. We even had some thunder and a little pellet snowfall. Here's a sample of what we saw ...Isn't that beautiful? My sister-in-law, Barbara, asked me on the drive up if I notice how pretty it is here every day. Thank goodness I could tell her that I always notice! I feel lucky every time I look at the sky or the rolling hills or the mountains. Below is a picture of the girls ...
Clockwise from top left you see Barbara, her sister Paula, my niece Kelly, and Paula's daughter Laura. Do you also see our little companion? Zack (faithful companion of the man I hang around with) was the only male to accompany us. As you can see above and below, he was always on the lookout for varmints.

The poor boy had to have walked three times farther than the rest of us, because he was always off the trail, sniffing and checking out every tree, bush, log and pile of poop. What a guy. He required a little assistance when we climbed up some rocks and over a log. In fact, he was high-centered on a log, so Kelly and Laura came to his rescue. Too bad I wasn't fast enough to get a picture of that! Of course, he was too tired to do anything but nap on the ride home.
Would you like to see how things are going in the Garden? The only positive comment I have about hospitals is that sitting there affords some pretty good stitching time. Here's where I am today ...
The lower right tree is at the bottom of the sampler (gasp)! I know! How exciting is that? Those of you who have already stitched ATS will notice that I've changed the words. I don't like abbreviations, like 9-07 for September 2007 (those of you who've been with me for a while already know about my strange OCD issues), so some changes were required to satisfy my needs (just saying that makes me laugh at myself). To satisfy some equally odd need, I tried to make the pond pretty. Well, pretty to me.
Go ahead, call me kooky. I just had to have some ripples where the fishing line is dropping into the water. Maybe by the end of the month ... sorry, but I can't say it. I don't wanna jinx it.
I have to tell you a little about Mom. I told her how incredibly kind all of you have been, and she wants me to thank you for your prayers, chants, candles, good thoughts and happy wishes. Our whole family is thankful for your thoughtfulness. Mom spent a couple of days in the hospital again this week (her blood is being naughty), but she's back home and feeling better.
This will probably be my last post before I go off to New England on Monday. There's so much to do between now and then. I've caught up on a few blogs, but I have a ways to go. I've missed spending time with ya'll. Maybe I'll surprise you from the road with a post or two. My friends have computers, but it's hard to sit alone in a room when everyone else is drinking/laughing/visiting without me. I don't wanna miss a thing! Nikki will be at home with Merlin, so he'll be in good hands.
Later, gators ... make some fun.
PS ... I've tried to make this crazy thing make spaces for paragraphs, but it won't work today (rrrrr, @#!@*#). So sorry if it's difficult to read.

12 comments:

Jan said...

You be safe and loads on fun, Lois!! You will be missed though.

And I adore what you did with your pond, when I stitch ATS, can I borrow your creative idea? Love it and I so happy dancing for you to be done with it very soon!

Sending love and lots of prayers for your momma, you and the rest of the family!

Jan said...

Gosh sakes, Doris, forgive the slip on the name...think I need to get to bed, and NOW!!

Brigitte said...

Ahhh, I LOVE the pictures of your hike. What a great scenery!
And I love what you are doing to ATS. A great way to personalize a design.
Enjoy your trip to New England.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Your pond is SO awesome!!! What a beautiful day for a hike - love the pics. Have a great trip; I know you'll have a wonderful time. I've been thinking about your mom (see the very bottom of my last post) - I hope she's doing okay.

mainely stitching said...

Oh what a great post! I love the ripples in your pond! It's great to hear that your Mom is doing okay. And I wish you well with your upcoming trip to New England!

Ellen said...

Love the ripples on the pond. Glad to know that your mum is doing well. Enjoy your trip to New England.

Hugs,

Missy Ann said...

The ripples in the pond are awesome! Love that idea, I'll let you know if I pirate it. lol

Anna van Schurman said...

It is amazing how much work you can get done in a hospital. Just sucks to have to be there.

I hate doing dates as only numbers too. The number of times I've had to stitch the date over one because the stupid pattern only left room for numbers! I also think it's only sensible to make your pond look natural. I've been known to do something like that myself. But I call it creativity, not OCD. Enjoy your trip to my old stomping grounds.

Hey, my verification word today is table. I know that word!

Deb said...

Hope you have a wonderful time on your trip. I love what you did with the pond - it makes sense to have ripples in there! And how exciting that the end is in sight! Continued thoughts and prayers for your mother!

Coni said...

Woo Hoo, you! Stitching is lovely, hike looked exhilarating, and happy news about your mom is fabulous (no more naughty blood, dear!). Have a wonderful trip. Eat something fabulous and drink something wonderful!

Siobhán said...

You are too creative!! Lovely changes. The hiking pictures are wonderful! I hope you have a fabulous time in New England! Prayers continue for your mom.

Maggie said...

Love your ripple effect in the pond!
Great pics of your hike, you live in a beautiful place.
Enjoy your trip to New England, i would love to visit there one day.
Sending good wishes and positive thoughts to your mum X