Sad News

Mike's dad died on Monday night.
December 28th, at 9pm.

Surrounded by his family,
he passed away peacefully.
We are so very thankful for that.

I appreciate everyone who emailed me their love and support.
It is such a comfort and means
everything to me.
And I love each and every one of you.

And I love you, Pop.
I miss you already.

Gayle

WOW 2 Posts In One Day!

Since I posted earlier this afternoon,
I've received a couple of emails asking for some closeups.
In that time, I managed to decorate the mantel and thought
I'd include that too.

*Please see the previous post for the background
information on most of the decorating.





When Pookie and I got married in 1982,
he started a tradition of giving me a heart ornament every year
at Christmas.
Some were new, some were old, but I loved
every one of them.

The first things I searched for when I looked
at the tree all pretty and decorated were my
heart ornaments.





The very first one I got from him was a beautiful large
locket that opens.





Etched on the outside of the heart is:
First Christmas Together 1982



















The next year it was a pretty bisque heart within a heart
that simply says:
Love 1983, in gold writing.




















And one year it was this gorgeous blown glass heart.
























That's just a little example from my collection.
I could post all 27 but that might be overdoing it. :0)

A little closer picture of the tree.




















I was so excited about what my sweet neighbor had done,
(see other post)
that I got out some things for the mantel and in a few hours I'd
come up with this:

The mantel runs the whole length of the room so
I had to divide the pictures.

Left side:




















Middle:


















And the right side:






















I love the Santa and the metal snowflakes.
I've had both for years.
























I also put out my absolute favorite Christmas card
ever.
It's from 1984 and it's a Mary Engelbreit.
I just love the sentiment.























When we moved this past summer, Miss LaDaun was there
helping me unpack.
So, as I came across all my favorites
I told her all the stories behind my beloved goodies,
so she knew where everything was and how much they all meant
to me.

One person emailed me and requested some more pics
of the table setting.
I think it looks just as gorgeous at night!



















Hey, look what I found out you can do with
the Kodak picture program.

How fun!

This is using the "cartoon" option.























The now famous Miss LaDaun,
(she's married with 5 kids, so I don't know why I call her Miss LaDaun)
was my realtor and I moved in right across the street from her.

She was the one who told me about the "Pink Palace / Mauve Mansion"
to rent.

(For that explanation you'll have to go back a few posts)

The owners left their dining table and chairs for us to use, as
I had sold my set to the couple who bought
our home....along with almost everything I owned.


That too, is explained in a previous post.



Here is a closeup of the china and crystal:
























Unfortunately, I don't know the pattern name for
the clear crystal.
They are antique and have been collected over the years.
The same goes for the knife rests. I have eight
and most of them don't match.

The china pattern is from Johnson Brothers, England.
Pattern name is: Dorchester

Okay, I'm pooped now.
I'm sure you all can complete a post alot quicker than I can...lol

This has taken me hours!

Pookie and I are back on the road tomorrow.
I'm not sure when we'll be back this time.
I might even have my mother-in-law, Birdie, with us then.
It's all up in the air at this point.

It's been fun sharing my Christmas decor with you
wonderful ladies out there.
Getting to know you all has made each day a little
sweeter for me.

Thank you for your friendship, it is greatly treasured
and appreciated.

HUGS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Gayle

Thanks and updates

A huge thankyou to all my sweet friends that have
emailed me their well wishes and prayers for my
father-in-law, Pop.

We snapped this picture of him on his last trip out
before we sold the house this last summer.
Look at him.....he's almost 83 in this picture and
I have more wrinkles than he does!























He remains on life support at this time.

Pookie is designated as the person to make any decisions for him and
he just can't let go yet.

We all remain hopeful for that elusive miracle.

When we left abruptly in October, I gave my sweet neighbor
a key to the house,
and when we returned this last time, she had done this:



















And this:























I just love my little house, it's one of my favorite things.

I wish I could just crawl in there and live all year long.
























And she found one of my antique paper mache Santas:


















She'd called me periodically to see if there was anything she
could do to help us.


One conversation I mentioned how I was going to miss all my
Christmas decorations and ornaments, but that I just wasn't
going to have time to decorate.



NEVER DREAMING in a million years that she would do this!



She even set the table and the little tree up in
the dining room. Just in case we had time
to have a nice dinner together or the kids came down
from Salt Lake City.

All my favorite things were present.....

My good china from Johnson Brothers, my antique crystal knife rests that I've been collecting for years.......my Grandmother's linens.

Pookie and I wish each and every one of you the happiest of holiday seasons.
We have learned not to stress over the small stuff and lifes little imperfections.
Just love and appreciate your family and friends, and the precious time you have with them.

All our love, hugs and best wishes to each and every one of you!

A special thank you to Miss LaDaun, for all your hard work.

We so love and appreciate you!

Not good news....

When my phone rings at 6am I know something
is wrong.
Mike's (aka Pookie)dad was taken to the hospital this morning.
He's 82 so a trip to the hospital is never good.
I'm leaving for California from Utah this afternoon, and
Pookie is leaving from Colorado.
We'll meet up in San Francisco and then off to the
hospital.
I love Pop. He's been my dad for almost 30 years
now. I can't even think about not having him
here.
:0(
Say a little prayer for us, would ya?
I sure would appreciate it.

Hugs,
Gayle

Our Disneyland Vacation, Part 1

Okay, I know some of you are thinking Disneyland,
what's the big deal???

I've been to some interesting places.

I've lived in Turkey, and quite a few states
in the good ol' USA.
I've vacationed in Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Mexico,
Italy, Greece, England and Canada.

So, when Pook asked me where I wanted to go
for my birthday-anywhere in the world that we
could get to and back within 9 days-
of course I said DISNEYLAND!

Uh Duh! lol

I hadn't been there for a few years, and I
had a hankerin' for the happiest place on earth!

So, we took off in the car and I couldn't wait to
get there.

Pookie had made reservations at The Grand Californian Hotel
and Spa, right there at the park.
We usually stay at the Disneyland Hotel,
but we hadn't visited since the new changes,
which added The California Adventure park,
Downtown Disney and the new hotel.

We had trouble with my camera and I lost
quite a few great pics. So the pics are from
mine, from Dh's camera and some I found
online so you could get a true feel for the place.


We arrived on the last day of "Gay Days"
One of my closest friends, Mike, is gay, so I had
Pookie pose for this picture outside the conference
room at the hotel.


















When you check in, you are in the most gorgeous lobby!

It is decorated in the Arts & Crafts style and no detail
was overlooked.


















The floor is done in the
most intricate mosaic tile work
I've ever seen.
It was stunning!























When we got to the room, we were pleasantly
surprised.

We had a beautiful suite with a park view.
This picture doesn't do it justice.



The room was wonderful and the bathroom was great.
They supplied us with
the most heavenly smelling shampoo, lotions, etc.
Mouthwash too.
I'd never seen mouthwash in a hotel before!
(It takes so little to thrill me...lol)



The location was convienient too. You could walk right out of the
hotel and you were at the entrance to both parks. Or, take the
monorail right into Disneyland. On the way to the monorail you
walk thru all the great cafes, restaurants and shopping
at Downtown Disney.
I was in heaven!







After we got settled we walked out to Downtown Disney and did
a little shopping.
The Pookster is enamored with pirates and says "ARRRRRRR"
any chance he gets..lol




















Usually he's a quiet guy, but place him next
to a pirate and he can be a real
knucklehead. :0)






Some more of Downtown Disney, on our way to the monorail.


























The Downtown Disney shopping area is just as pretty at night.


















We were blessed with perfect weather,
day and night.
Not very crowded either.
I guess it pays to be born in October, eh?
:0)


I'm going to stop here as it's after midnight
and I'm pooped.
I'll post the rest of the trip tomorrow.

Hugs, Gayle

We're a little bummed :0(

As many of you know, we sold our home this last
summer because Pookie was asked by his
employer if he would consider
relocating to the Colorado Division.
They wanted to be able to bid and go after larger jobs
and Pookie has that kind of experience.

Before he had to show up this past Monday, we took
a vacation and celebrated my birthday in Disneyland.
(Pics will be posted soon)

A few days after we returned, he headed off to Colorado.

That was last Monday.


Because he was supposed to retire 5 years ago,
(promises promises..lol) we decided
not to move the whole house to another
state, until he knew for sure
that he wanted to keep working.

Another consideration was that
my whole family is here, and I'm living in a very
safe place, (chief of police is right next door, and the city planner
is across the street, the mayor is right at the end of the block)
in a great interim rental home.
It's the pink palace but it's a great home.

And, my trusty 9mm is loaded and right
beside my bed, just in case.

No worries.

I did see a home for sale in Colorado that I was
excited about, but didn't want to move on that
until we know exactly where we'll end up.

So, Pookie left and last week was the first week he was gone.

They've been very nice and gave him every Friday off, so he could drive
or fly home and we'd still have some time together on the weekends.

I'm doing pretty well.......but Ziggy.....that is another story.
From the minute Pookie left, this was what I was dealing with...

(click to enlarge.)

Do you see his head tilted up, looking at the doorknob???



(Just to let you know how tight these two are, the picture shown
below was taken the evening we moved into our wonderful
old Victorian fixer-upper, a little over 6 years ago.
We were exhausted.
Everybody had just showered and cleaned up and I went into the kitchen
to make a little dinner. I hadn't been out of the room 20 minutes
when I saw this....)














Anyway, back to this:





That dog would not budge.
I called him,
I petted and loved him up,
I tried to discuss the matter with him,
finally trying to tempt him with
his favorite dog bone...a little ice cream......etc.

He knew something was up because
Dad had packed a suitcase and that's never a good sign.

He stayed right there, staring at that door knob for HOURS!
And, that is no exaggeration.
Literally..... for hours!

Finally, I picked him up, which was no easy task,
he weighs 40 lbs!, and forced him to go outside in
the backyard so we could play and have some fun.
You know, try and take our minds off of everything.






Then I got this......























He's looking for his Dad's work truck that is usually parked right
there in the driveway when he's home.

And, he stayed, and stayed, and stayed,
just like that.....for a long long time.
I went back in the house, did some dusting, laundry and went
back out to check on him.

And there he was....still.....



















Poor Ziggy.


It's going to be another long 4 days......




I promise I'll post my vacation pics. I'm
just been a little bummed at the moment.

Hugs,
Gayle

And fun was had by all. :0)

Lots has happened since we returned from vacation.....
but, let me start with what led up to
the actual birthday-day and vacation.

A day before we left, when I
was trying to get everything ready for the
trip, I heard ding-dong and these
were left for me.

My favorite roses.
From Pookie.
And they smelled divine!






















They kinda remind me of apricot and raspberry sorbet.
Then, about 15 minutes later another....ding dong.......

And, these beauties arrived from my mom.

I placed them on the kitchen counter to detract from
the mauve.
I am so good!

Why you don't even notice it anymore, do ya??
LOL
(Remember, it's a rental. Have mercy)

I was feeling pretty darn special at this point.

Then, I received a call from a local furniture store
telling me that my iron bed that I'd ordered a few weeks before
was in and could they deliver it today?
Uh...YEAH! lol

I was so excited!

I had an antique iron bed in my previous home, that when we moved, went to my niece.

This was her first official family heirloom being passed down and she was SO excited!!
Do you remember the old bed from the RMS days?

It took me FOREVER to find an actual IRON bed. They
makes tons of them from steel, but I wanted one that
was iron, and made the old fashioned way. After weeks
and weeks of searching, I found a company, in the USA that
make them.

So, I contacted the local store to see if they could order it for me.

They were so nice to help me and I ordered this one. And I love it!

It took awhile to arrive as they make them when the order is placed.
You can choose whatever finish you want.
They did a gorgeous job.
I chose black because that's what I had painted the antique one.

NOTE:

Please remember, I sold all my bedding from every bedroom
when we sold our home, so the bedding is just temporary until
I can find the absolute perfect linens to go with the new bed.
That will be my next adventure.

:0)


Okay, I'm pooped for today but will post the vacation pics tomorrow.
I've GOT to get around to everybody out there and
say hi.

Hugs, Gayle

Vacation

Yippeeeee, we're on vacation!!!!

We're on our way to the happiest place on earth.























And for me, it really is.
I love Disneyland!
I've been all over the world, lived in foreign
countries, vacationed in exotic spots but there
really is no other place like Disneyland for that
little California girl that still lives inside of
me.



Look at that Minnie....what a fashion plate!! Even with
blue eye shadow too!
She's my favorite.
Always has been, always will be.

And then there was Tinkerbell.

Ah, Tinkerbell!!

I was enthralled with that cute little fairy since I
first caught sight of her and her magic
wand in the opening for The Wonderful World of Disney.

Remember that?????
























In fact, I was so fascinated with Tinkerbell that I got
Tinkerbell slippers at Christmas, a Tinkerbell pin,
necklace and many more Tinkerbell accessories
throughout my childhood.

My Grandpa, who passed away when
I was 10, used to call me Tinker.

He said I reminded him of that
little fairy that would ZING here and ZING there....never
standing still for too long.
My Grandpa left me with wonderful
memories of my childhood.

I love you Grandpa and I miss you!


And, then there was this guy.










How can anyone be unhappy watching this cute lil'
guy BOING BOING BOINGing all over the place???

I'm so excited and I'm going to hunt down each and every
one of these wonderful characters and have my picture
taken with them.

Poor Pookie....lol

But, I think secretly he gets a thrill just
knowing that I'm so excited.
And, I love him SO MUCH for taking me
anywhere I wanted to go for my 51st birthday.

Even if that place is Disneyland!! lol

Fall Colors and Big News!

It's that time of the year when all the leaves
are changing to their gorgeous yellows, oranges
and stunning reds.

(click on pictures to enlarge)

Pookie, in his wisdom, decided this last
weekend that it was time
to take his beloved Packard up the canyon to
view nature at it's best.

This being the first time he'd taken it on such
an uphill climb, we thought it might be
prudent if I followed in the Jeep.

(Not that I don't have complete confidence
in the Pookster's ability to totally rebuild
the unit)

But, just in case....lol


We stopped just a little ways into the
trip to make sure everything was ok.

Ms. Packard was doing great! See
no smoke or anything.


So, onward and upward!


There was a nice peaceful place to stop and have a little
something to eat. Birds were chirping, squirrels were
running amuck.

And, the colors were getting more and more
brilliant as we toodled up the hill.





After taking a little walk, and
enjoying this beautiful scenery,
it was time to head back.

There he goes......


Wow, he's going fast....

HEY WAIT UP POOKIE!!!

Now for the big news.
It's official, we are moving
back to Colorado in 2 weeks!

I think we'll land back in Evergreen
where we lived before. We loved it
there. The mountains and the wildlife
are just incredible.

But first, we'll be celebrating my birthday
next week in Disneyland,(my choice)then drive
up the California coast and visit some friends
and his parents before we head back to get
ready to move....again!! lol

The big guys with their big truck will be doing
the heavy lifting and driving this time,
thank goodness!

So, I hope everybody out there is enjoying their
own beautiful scenery and this gorgeous fall
weather!

Soon I'll have some really fun
and different pictures to post for ya.

A big hi and hugs to all my friends out
there in Blogland!!

A Surprise!

I was up at 4am to see Pookie off on his
business trip.
I was running around in my favorite
flannel santa sock monkey pj's,
(it's already cold here in the mornings)
trying to get his breakfast made and
make sure he had everything he needed for
Colorado.

And to slip a little love note into his briefcase.
:0)




















See, I told ya. Santa sock monkeys. I actually have
two sets...lol

Okay, to tell you the truth I was relieved when
he was all ready and walked me back to the bedroom,
with Ziggy trotting right behind, to say goodbye.

Pookie is a morning person, and I am not.
By any stretch of the imagination..lol

So I told him I loved him, to have a safe
trip and to call when he landed.
Whew.....now was my chance to drift back to lala land for
a little while.


I woke up a few hours later to this:





















(Just look at that mauve countertop! She didn't
miss a beat did she..lol)


And included with the flowers was a little note
telling me that he'll miss me and that while
he's gone I should take it easy......in this!


















I do not know how he got those things in the house without
me hearing him!
That man is one sneaky bugger!

I just love it!
I adore needlepoint and the colors are
so pretty.
It even kinda matches the mauve, don't ya think? lol
























It also goes well with a little antique
footstool that I've had for decades.
Something that I managed not to sell along
with the house.


























I don't know where he
found it...or when he
bought it.

But, I think it might look perfect in the house
(see last post) that he's going to check out while
he's away.

I'll keep you posted.


I hope everyone out there has a wonderful
day!!