35th Anniversary

35 years ago today, we said our marriage vows in front of about 150 people gathered together at Calvary Temple in Denver, Colorado. It was a very special day for us and our families.

You never know the future and all the things that will happen your journey together.

There have been some sad times with the passing of some of our family and friends and some illnesses. But, looking back, most of our life together has been better than worse. We have always felt the hand of God leading, guiding, and protecting us and our children. We have been blessed with 2 wonderful sons who continue to make us proud parents. 2 daughter-in-laws that have enriched the lives of our sons and have brought happiness to our family. And one granddaughter, Bee, who brings more joy than we could ever imagine.
We may not look as young, fit, and trim as we used to, but our love, joy, and faith has expanded with our bodies over the years. (Even though, we would like to have the bodies of our 20's... it just is not going to happen.)

I love this man... Faithful, Loyal, Thoughtful, Giving, Kind, Generous, Helpful, Great Cook, Fantastic Handyman, HouseKeeper, Baby Sitter, Electrician, Plumber, Artist, Care-giver, Christian, Husband, Father, Lover, and soooooo much more.
We are best friend and love to be together...
Who knows what our future paths may bring, but we enjoy each day we have together and know that God will take care of our future.
Feeling so Blessed on this June 12, 2011 to be together 35 years and continuing to walk in God's light and love.

Oh yes, loving the newly renovated backyard that Lyle has put so much time, labor, and love into being a peaceful place to relax and enjoy.

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Bee, Annie, and Cory Come to Hanford....

After 1 hr of failed uploads, this is the only picture of my sweet Bee that loaded.

These are the rolls that Bee and Grandma Lois made together. The pictures are very sweet, but nothing loaded.....

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Successful Transfer of Bee Bees Originals

Yea... I just figured out how to copy and transfer my Bags post to Bee Bees Originals Blog.

If you are interested in viewing my crafting blog, go to

www.beebeesoriginals.blogspot.com

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Fun time In LV - Love the Encore!

Arriving on NASCAR Sunday... Surprised that the traffic was not bad... We had a Fantastic trip to LV for a 2 night stay at the Encore.... Twin tower to the Wynn. This is one of our views from our 14th floor room. It was the best hotel to date to stay in. Really a 1st class experience.
View from the entry. Long hall past the bathroom with 3 huge mirrors across from the double door lighted full service closet.
Right side is a wall mirror of the left side. This is the TV across from the bed but open to the living room and floor to ceiling window wall of a fabulous view.
This is the living area reflecting into the windows.
Looking back to the bedroom.
Full service amenities.
Our desk area.

Living room back to the bedroom.

Ipod deck....
Today we were going to see the Cosmopolitan Hotel for the 1st time, but decided it was too much of a walk for me on my walker...

So we rode the tram to the Bellagio to see the latest garden...

This is Jean Phillipe's Chocolate store.... In Easter mode...
Space bunnies and ship are all out of chocolate!

When we got to the garden... we were surprised! Stripped!!!!! Everything that was there in November was gone... Even the windows were removed from the Orchid greenhouse!

Workmen were trying to reposition one of the branches back onto the redecorated tree. They were having a terrible time getting the steel rods to fit back into place.
Here is another branch to be put up on the tree. We were wondering what the new look would be.... When we got to the hotel lobby, there were pictures of what would be coming...
A Ferris Wheel...
Carousel.
But, this was the sight today....
On the way home, Lyle pulled off the road just before Barstow to see the Calico Early Man Site... Note that is is not open on Tuesday....the day we decided to stop! Went up the dirt road to the gate... but could not see anything. I guess it will be a destination on another day... but not in the summer!

Desert landscape with trails.... Now who walks all over this place to make trails???? What are they doing?
Dirt road!
Lyle drove the entire way home! We had such a great time!

So Nice to get away for a little trip!

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Bee's Valentine Surprises...

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and Bee's package is in the mail. In case it does not make it, she can anticipate what is coming her way from Mimi and Papa.

This flannel fabric was a gift from Taylor Bringard. I love love love it. It is perfect with the bees, flowers, and HEARTS! Soooooo Cute!

So I made PJ's ... or a light jacket for now with multi-color buttons. It has pockets that most PJ's don't have.
Next I made Bee a Bee Dress on a light pink turtle-neck.

She will need matching clips for her outfits. They are cut from the flannel and mounted on felt to make them stiff and hold up to wear.

I hope the package gets to her on time to wear her Valentine's Day surprises.

Love,

Mimi and Papa
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Honoring Quinton Bruce...

Today was a special day to remember and honor a very special man... Quinton Bruce.

I always knew him as Uncle Quint, but just called him Quint.

One month short of becoming 92, Quint went to be with Jesus and be reunited with his wife, Florence, and other family in heaven. I am sure he is a very happy man today!
Quint was a quiet man with a great sense of humor. His delivery was usually subtle, but always sharp and a thinker. His mechanical and artistic skills on cars was amazing.

I remember the time he replaced my car's back right door because I failed to close it when backing out of the garage. He fixed it like new and wouldn't take anything for his time or talent. He was just like that. Helping others and being kind and thoughtful. We will miss this wonderful man!

Well, here are pictures of friends and family that came to the church today to share in his memory. Enjoy and copy and print anything that you want to keep.













Blessings and sweet memories to all Quint's friends and family.

Love,

Marlen
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Random Thoughts About Selling Off Part Of Our History.....

Thirty-four years ago, right about this time, we began the process of buying our first house. It was a wreck, but it was our wreck. It's gone through many changes over the years. We lived in it exactly 10 years to the day. There have been many friends and people that would become friends live in it during it's life as a rental. I still can see my dad on the roof of the addition when he was almost exactly my age now, helping me put up the sheathing. I'll never forget the day of the Coalinga earthquake, grabbing Nathan out of his highchair and getting out side. When we were surprised by Cory's arrival, I built him a room carved out of the living room. I can see Marlene's dad Karl helping me dig out and drag a blue gum tree with a six inch trunk to the back yard and replant it, where it would grow to thirty feet with a 24 inch trunk. So many other times that shaped our marriage and life as a family. We tried to sell it when we moved but that's not what God had ordered. Overall it was a good experience keeping it as a rental.....but I'm older now and it was time to let the old girl go (not Marlene).

We got the check today....I'm disappointed that there were not six figures on it. You would not believe the people that start grabbing money from you, it's all legal, when you sell a house. I'm very frustrated with the process itself. Poor communication, lack of proper representation etc. I'll just say, I'm not impressed with Dave Ramsey's ELP. I feel a sense of loss, that a part of me is gone. In my head I tell myself it's for the best, but my heart says you've poured a big part of your life into that house. I left the keys in the house the other day and locked the door to walk away for good and for just a nanosecond I thought "what are you doing?". But I drove away and for awhile I will be avoiding going by because it's not mine anymore and I don't want to see it in that light. I said all along that if the house was going to sell, God would have to sell it. He did and I can rest in that.