Mid-Life Bliss

God Bless America

I Am the Flag of the

United States

Of America

Author Unknown

I am the flag of the United States of America.

My name is Old Glory.

I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.

I stand watch in America's halls of justice.

I fly majestically over institutions of learning.

I stand guard with power in the world.

Look up and see me.

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.

I stand for freedom.

I am confident.

I am arrogant.

I am proud.

When I am flown with my fellow banners,

My head is a little higher,

My colors are a little truer.

I bow to no one!

I am recognized all over the world.

I am whorshipped-I am saluted.

I am lovd-I am revered.

I am respected-and I am feared.

I have fought in every battle of every war for more then

200 years.  I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburgh,

Shiloh and Appomattox.

I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France,

in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy.

Guam, Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me.

I'm presently in the mountains of Afganistan and the

hot and dusty deserts of Iraq and wherever freedom is needed.

I led my troops, I was dirty, battle worn and tired,

But my soldiers cheered me and I was proud.

I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of 

countries I have helped set free.

It does not hurt for I am invincible.

I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled in the streets

of my country.

And when it's done by those Whom I've served in battle-it hurts.

But I shall overcome-for I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch

over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage

point on the moon.

I have borne silent witness to all of America's finest

hours.

But my finest hours are yet to come.

When I am torn into strips and used as bandages

for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,

When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,

Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving

parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,

I am Proud.

The last of our Trip

In Hurley we drove past a place called Little Finland.  Of course we turned around and went back to see what it was all about.  I did buy a couple of things from the gift shop.

This is a Finnish house that was moved here from the area.  We did go inside this house and it was so small.  I couldn't imagine raising my family in a house this size but I know people did.

 

Here is another home but we weren't able to go in this one.

A Finnish Sauna.

Jim inside the Sauna checking it out.

The changing room in the Sauna.

The construction of these buildings is really interesting.  I think being with Jim for almost 30 years has rubbed off on me. 

We are heading off tomorrow to bring Lauren up for Confirmation that starts on Monday.  She'll be up north for 2 weeks.  It will be a very quick trip because we need to be back for Church on Sunday.  So we won't be celebrating the 4th like we have in the past we'll be driving.  That's okay tho. 

I do want to wish you all a very Happy and Safe Independence Day.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Judy 

Doing some ReModeling

For years I have wanted a patio door in my kitchen that leads out to a deck.  Well it's finally happening.  We ordered the door the week before we went on vacation.  Jim has been looking over patio/deck books so he can get some ideas as to what kind of deck would look good in our yard and something that the grandkids can easily maneuver around on without falling off and getting hurt.  We also want to put in some trellis's and arbor's around the yard. 

In Bayfield I spied this one in a back alley of two shops.

It also has a bench built in.  Being that all of Jim's clients own Steel Shops and he can weld himself.  I'm thinking one like this in the yard would be possible.

I can't wait until we can get started.  I have been wanting to make use of our yard more especially now that our family is getting so much bigger.  It will change the look of our kitchen inside as I will definitely have to get rid of some things and move things around.

Now it's just waiting for the door to come in.

I can't believe it that our youngest child will be taking Drivers Ed in August.  I can remember when our first one was in Drivers Ed.  I never thought that this day would ever come.  Lots of changes happening. 

1. Lauren in Drivers Ed.

2. Phil is getting married.

3. Jake will be home back in the U.S.A. in 14 days.

4. Jake will be out of the Army in about 6 months. (This will be a big change for us as we have been a Military family since June 14, 2002.) 

5. We will have only 1 child in school since our oldest was in Kindergarten way back when.

6. Maybe only 2 kids living at home by the end of summer instead of 3.

7. We are putting in a patio door and deck.

8. The biggest change of all...after driving over the years, 3 Station Wagons, 2 Full size Vans, 1 15 Passenger Van, 1 Suburban and a couple of mid sized vehicles, and mind you some of these you wondered if they could even run much less drive down the road.  We are looking into getting a Mini-Van.  Something I never in my wildest dreams ever thought of driving. 

I guess that's how life is supposed to be.  Lots of changes going on.

You all have a wonderful evening.

Judy

 

ABC Wednesday~X-Rated

Welcome to ABC Wednesday.  It's being hosted by Mrs Nesbitt's Place so go on over there and check out some more ABC Wednesday.

Last week I missed the letter W.  I could have posted it but I didn't feel right about not being able to visit anyone so I chose to not participate.

Todays letter is the letter X.  I was having a hard time thinking about this one until I thought of the trip we were just on.

This is Hurley.  I have always heard Hurley to be known as the "Red Light District" where there was nothing but "Cat Houses" up and down the streets.  This was mostly in the WWII years.  I have often heard my husband speak of a man he used to work for who grew up in Hurley and was in WWII.  Mr Maki talked about the Hurley days and how much prostitution was going on in Hurley during that time.  Now it seems like the "Cat Houses" are now called "Gentleman's Clubs".  Since we have heard so much about Hurley we couldn't just drive through it without stopping to take a few pictures.

To me X-Rated is quite fitting for these Cat Houses/Gentlemans Clubs.

Thanks for stopping by to see my letter X. 

I finally finished them

I haven't been feeling like sewing lately.  It must be because the warmer weather came and I just couldn't get in the mood to sew.  I finally finished two aprons that I have had cut out for a while.  They are not the patterns that I've been sewing lately.  These were actually quick and easy.

Adult Apron

 

Child's Apron

Pool Time Fun

Some more grandchildren pictures.  We don't see these ones as often as Jim and I would like so I don't get to post about them too much.

It's a Softball, Baseball and T-Ball kind of night.

When we were in Minnesota we got to see our 3 grandchildren play softball, baseball and t-ball.

Then on Saturday I went to another baseball game for a Grandchild who lives in our area.

You can't beat fun at the old Ball Park.

Sunday Cookout

Sunday we had a cookout.  It ended up raining but we still had a great time.  Here are a couple of photos of why it's so great to be grandparents.

 

I see something

Tonight Jim and I went visiting some friends and on our way out the door we were checking out the porch they are adding on to the front of their house.  At first I thought I was seeing a pinecone under the window but with a closer look I realized that it was a bird.  A baby Robin in fact.  We could hear the mama Robin chirping frantically up in the tree.  I don't think I have ever been this close to a baby Robin before.

Our dishwasher is broken

but I sure don't mind.  I went out and bought a drain rack and I'm all set to wash dishes by hand.  We do plan to get a new one but I'm not in any hurry for one.  When I wash dishes I can look out the window and I do my best thinking there.

Does anyone know about Roses?  I have this rose bush but in fact it's really not the one that was originally there.  This Rose bush is on the other side of the window and it appears to have sprouted or cross pollinated to my Yellow Rose bush and my Yellow Rose is no longer there.  Here is a link to a Rose that is similar to what used to be there.  I can't figure it out.

I haven't posted about Sadie in awhile.  Sadie is getting bigger.  She's 6 months old now and loves to lay by everyones feet when they are doing something.  This was the other day when I was doing dishes.  She's doing very well we are starting to keep her out of the crate when we leave for a short time.  So far no accidents.  I have kept up pretty good with dealing with the shedding.  I do have the FURminator and I love it.  I recommend it highly if your dog sheds.

I'm off to get my day going.

I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday today.

Judy