We interrupt this regularly scheduled blog to

turn your attention to the "blog of the season" aka "There She Goes Again!" a diary of sorts of my New Zealand adventure.....oh crud, I have to get the blog addy....be back later.......

I BOUGHT MY TICKET

IT'S REAL NOW!! I just bought my (round trip) ticket to New Zealand! Wow! I am so excited. I am really going to see my beautiful daughter, her handsome husband and their adorable children!!! I am chair dancing even as I type..............

On another family oriented note, I got to take my lovely youngest daughter, the recent birthday girl, Marissa, and her two youngest children (Bailey & Eli) to McDonald's for lunch today. I also got to watch the video recording of Hope singing in her school talent show. She rocked!!

Now after all of this excitement, I need to take a little "post-op recuperative nap" (Any excuse will do!)

Look what else I found!!

It's little Eli!!!!

With some little old lady who looks vaguely familiar. This is an old photo however, as Eli is a much bigger boy now, and his grandmother is embarrassed by how slow she has been to post some photos of this handsome new(er) member of our family..........

and another wish for Marissa

Happy Birthday to Marissa, happy birthday to you-o-o-o-o-o-o

PS NEW ZEALAND IN TWO MONTHS

THE PLAN HAS CHANGED--TWO MONTHS THERE IN TWO MORE MONTHS. BUT I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A TWO MONTH VISIT WITH MY DAUGHTER AND HER FAMILY. AND TO HAVE A JOB THAT I ENJOY TO COME BACK TO.

coming up for air

So to speak **smile** There has been so much going on inside my head and in my heart these past few months, and lots of what has been going on hasn't been "my stuff" really, so I haven't felt comfortable in blogging about it. Does anyone know what I mean?

Many wonderful things have been happening, and some intensely challenging things have also been happening, and I am certain that the gifts from all of these happenings will bless me and my family throughout eternity. It's just that sometimes I have a hard time seeing the blessings through what looks like dark storm clouds.

Which is silly, especially when one considers that I live in Seattle. I know, from very practical experience, that the beautiful green world I live in is a direct result of the many days of rain we have here. When we have sunny days here in Seattle, there is absolutely no more beautiful place on earth. And to make this possible, we graciously accept our need for the rain. OK, mostly graciously accept the need for the rain.

I am not going to write too much today...I am recovering from a minor episode "under the knife" and all is well, but I am not willing to make a complete fool of myself by blogging under the influence of pain meds. 'Nuff said.

Oh yeah, the Seattle Temple is beautiful. Just so you know. **smile**