FAIL

I

failed

the challenge.

I just am not that photo gal.

I did enjoy updating my blog though.

Maybe I can put some more stories up.

We will see.

Don't judge me harshly.

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item.

I'm not so much into material things.

My family, my testimony, our pictures.

Those are the biggies...

After that

Really??? Is this what I picked?

Well-

After the headache for a year-

and then about 3 more years of trial and error-

This is my "keep it under control"

High blood Pressure

cure.

All those common side effects

(all but loss of appetite-I wish!)

yeah they are worth it.

I always check to have them!

I never let my perscription lapse!

I take the combo every morning!

I can function!

Life is good!

Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day.

~Wow~

Such an amazing woman.

The places she's been.

The people she's met.

And to quote her;

" I've always loved what I was doing"

Barbara Walters!

But ...

Only for 1 day!

Day 5 ~ a picture of your favorite memory

Well it's not my FAVORITE memory

BUT it is one of many ....

Then again,

it's not one picture

it's actually four.

March Air Base had spouse day~

I got to fly in a refueler.

We sat in the net jump seats.

(Think flying sideways!)

We had to carry an oxygen tank.

I got to go in the cockpit.

I laid in the back and watched the plane

fly up below us
and attach to the refueling rod.

I could see the pilot below us!

They come so close.

It was awesome!

Day 04 - A picture of your night.

Although it was in the triple digits today-

a sweaty 105,

by 7:30pm, I took my walk.

The temperature had dropped.

The breeze was blowing.

The ipod was shuffling.

And

I was striding!

It felt so good,

I walked for an hour!

Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show.

Do you watch Doc Martin????

I love this

quirky,

funny,

intelligent,

and

insane

show.

I watch it on pbs...but I have seasons 1-4 boxed set too!

day 2: A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest.

Well, we met in 1978,

married in 1980 and have been together ever since!

31 years and counting!

Challenge....we will see...

So the challenge for today is my photo and 15 facts....

1. married to Jimbo ~ love him!


2. growing my hair out!


3. family is IMPORTANT!


4. Love, love, love being grandma!


5. love my kids!


6. love to read...can't make the switch to a kindle... love the pages!


7. puzzles, puzzles, puzzles~ crossword -soduko-etc.!


8. sunshine=happy; gray days= sad.


9. I'm walking, walking, walking~5 days each week (more if possible!)


10. not enjoying all the changes at work (which I usually DO enjoy!)


11. love being the children singing leader!


12. native southern California gal!


13. games! Love them!!!!


14. reading glasses...really...hmph


15. do not like tardiness...EVER!

Don't try this.....

Kayak adventure.....

While kayaking, I turned to look over my shoulder at Diane...then whoosh! I flipped over. It is nearly impossible to climb back on top of a kayak while in choppy water that is WAY over your head. But, with a little help from these fellow kayakers and the knowledgeable fisherman..I did it!

And I DO NOT recommend this to anyone.

fisherman/kayaker shouting very helpful directions.

Steve and Stacy helping me.

I have several bruises under my arms...and at mt ribs....I'm achy and sore BUT I will kayak again!

It's almost time!
The anticipation is building...
I am going to Kauai!!!
I'm leaving May 23 and will be gone for a week.
AND
While I am there, I am going to do this!
http://www.kauaibackcountry.com/tubing.html
I can't wait!

Croak///!?

Okay, Enough already!
I had a hint of a sore throat 2 weeks ago.
It turned into an upper respiratory infection.

I DID go to the doctor.
I DID take all my antibiotics.
I DID refrain from speaking for 3 days.
I don't feel bad.

BUT....
my voice is NO GOOD!
It's taking a L O N G time for my throat to heal.
My voice pops and crackles, words fade in and out.

Singing ....
Well, it's painful to HEAR!

Surely,
one day soon,
MY VOICE WILL BE BACK!

singo...this is it!

So ...this is a sample of Singo Bingo
Each class is given a sheet.
The sheet is slipped into a sheet protector.
Each class gets a dry-erase marker.
A song is called (like bingo)
the class marks the sheet protector
(which wipes off for multiple uses)
Then we sing the song.
Then, on it goes....
I do insist they sing
( and they sing enthusiastically)
After a couple of songs I start asking how close they are.
They ALL get so excited.
We play until time is up.
If a class gets "Singo-Bingo"
We acknowledge it...but keep playing.
Usually I have a treat for all my Great Singers
I wait at the door for dismissal and pass out their goodie.
Everyone WINS...
I start out with songs that are my favorites.
After we've learned a few more "program" songs...
I'll update my singo cards to the program songs.
Including 1st verses and 2nd verses and so forth with
a few activity songs thrown in.
That way it becomes a great review tool.
I'm not the most technical music leader
BUT...
I do serve with HEART and SOUL!

SINGO-BINGO

Sunday
we played Singo~Bingo!
It is a LOT of fun.
It can get a LITTLE chaotic!
The primary children (ages 3-11)
sang with gusto!
I love to hear their sweet voices singing.
I love to see their excitement.
I love to feel the Spirit!
I love being the Primary chorister!

I baked cupcakes for Diane's 21st birthday.
We saw some multi-colored cupcakes on a blog.
I switched it up by using these fun colors.
I think they turned out really well.
But...
It was a lot of prep work.
You know...
dividing the batter,
coloring each separate bowl,
spooning each layer,
and yet...
They were really cute!
I'm glad I did it.

yummy

I'll be right there.....

Work was crazy today....
Owie, my feet are aching.
Tight! My shoulders and neck are sooo tight.
For some reason, I kept getting a Charlie Horse in my left calf.
But...
Put on a smile and acknowledge everyone! I'll be right there.
Shuffle.
Hi! I'm on my way! Smile. (hobble)
Need a refill? Here I come!
ANOTHER TABLE????
I'm going to kill the host....
Welcome...I see you, hang on a moment!
Is there NO END in sight?
What? Your coffee got cold? You want a new cup?
Sure, I'll be glad too.... (Grrr...wait I mean SMILE!)
and so the day went my whole shift except for 1 hour.
So for now....
I'll take a load off, sit and rest.
BUT....
I'll be back tomorrow!
'cause that's the game and I like it!

hi...

So I had my friend take some pictures of me
and
She's a genius!
I am not usually photogenic.
BUT...
I truly liked these!
Even though it was cloudy,
and there were some sprinkles,
It was a great afternoon.
Thanks, Crystal!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

It's time...
Let's ring in the NEW~
throw out the OLD~
and begin a fresh New Year.
Do you make resolutions????
I try to think of things I'd like to improve,
or change or discontinue or...whatever-
New Year ~ New You
Although...
I do like the old me (figuratively and literally)
For The Most Part...
so maybe I'll just try to~
# 1. Be Kind to others
# 2. Be Kind to me (when I forget #1)
Have a safe and happy new year!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Merry Christmas
***
love and joy
***
The Gerardi's

the insanity...

It's rude!
Lorraine (mom-in-law)
had her final RADIATION treatment.
Given at the hospital.
Loma Linda.
She had to lay still on her back for about 30 hours
while receiving an ultra strong last dose of radiation.
Her hospital bed had steel shields on both sides and
she could only have visitors in for 15-20 minutes MAX.
At the end of this treatment...we were told to pick her up,
they needed the bed and she had to get out. ???
The treatment ended at 10:30 P.M.
That's what time Jim had to go check his mom out of the hospital!
It is beyond belief.
But that's what he had to do.
ARGGGG
Hospital bureaucracy!

Yippee!

It's taking a long time but it's getting closer!
Today the counter tops were installed...
Say good-bye to little white tiles
and line after line of grout to clean!
Tonight the new faucet, new garbage disposal (it was 20 years old)
and pipes and hoses and knobs and yada-yada stuff
are all being hooked up!
I have photos but can't upload them...
but I did get them on my facebook post.
You can see the beauty there.
Next step...
I am studying the "how to tile back splash"
because that's the next step
that may OR may not happen before our big family bash
~THIS SUNDAY~
wish me luck!