Amazing!

Oh, the joys of retirement!

After having both new tires and brakes installed on our little Ford Escape, and being grateful we could do so, we had a wonderful week.

It's wonderful being able to pick up and go. This pick-up-and-go week involved being with Jordan and his little family to celebrate Jayden's birthday! Oh, it was just three short years ago that we wondered if the little (and I do mean LITTLE) fellow was going to make it. Look at the difference in these pictures:


He arrived at 27 weeks, weighing 2 lbs 12 oz

Today - you can never tell he had such an early start to his life!

The grandboys are stairsteps - just like my own kids were. And---they can do no wrong (in their grandparents' eyes!)

We also enjoyed our usual farmer's market this week, along with a street mart. I just love looking around and seeing what I can't live without. A few weeks ago, we enjoyed a free community meal at one of the local little churches. They also have "Clothes Line" each Saturday, where one can fill a bag for $2. I've decided that instead of taking my clothes to a consignment shop, I will be donating them to this little church. They do good things for the community, and I want to give.

It was very, very hot in Ohio this week. I was particularly thankful that I didn't have to worry about Mr. Kerry delivering mail in the blistering heat. Some days, we just laid in our air-conditioned bedroom and read. It was just too, too hot.

I couldn't help but think of my own mother in all of this hot weather, for it was 55 years ago this week that she delivered me. She was 41 years old - a bit old in 1955 to start a second family.

My mom on 4 Jul 1955 - just four days before I was born.

Look how cute I used to be!

My dad, Chester, baptizing me on my 8th birthday - 1963.

And, this is me today...

I remember mom telling me about a church picnic held at a local park when I would have been about 2 years old. It might have been at the same time I was pictured in the photo above in the little stroller.

She had painted her toenails red. Bright red. At this park, there were swans - and they chased her all over the park trying to peck at her toenails. I guess they thought they were berries.

She ended up eating her picnic dinner in the car.

I always do a lot of reflecting around my birthday. This year, I again concluded that I've had a very good life.

I was raised by good parents.
I've always had a home.
I've married the man of my dreams.
I had the privilege of raising a family.
I was raised with good morals and principles, and with a knowledge of the Lord.
Kerry and I were blessed with his having a good job.
I have had good health - with a few mishaps along the way - but with good doctors and the Priesthood I have always recovered.
I have learned to love this beautiful earth. And, I do mean beautiful.
I have learned to cherish my ancestors and my descendants.
I have had times when I've been poor - but, I've always been rich.
I was born in American - in the land of freedom.

Everything that is important to have in this life - I have had. It just doesn't get much better than that.

Thank you all for the birthday wishes you sent to me. I used to get a card from my insurance agent and the man we bought a van from 20 years ago. And, Janet! Always my Janet!!!

Love to you all......
Miss P