G is for Grand

What comes to your mind when you hear the word Grand?

Maybe it is as simple as Grand(s) biscuits.  

or as awesome as the Grand Canyon

Possible in the busyness of life, it's the time you spend at Grand Centeral Station

Maybe you have traveled around the world and it's places like the Grand Caymon Islands

Or the Grand Palace from the 17th century in Belgium 

For me this word brings a smile to my face because I automatically think of my Grands.

Lexi and I the day she moved to Oregon.

Ena, Lexi's baby sister.  She is sitting up she is getting big so fast!

My four awesome Grands in Texas.  

Blake a Junior in High School

Kayla a freshman in High School

Nathan 6th grade

and Ashlyn a 2nd grader.

I couldn't be more blessed, unless they all lived closer...

Hug your Grands if they are close and text them your love if they aren't.

Blessings, Debbie

Linking with ABC Wednesday

F is for Fireflies

Fireflies

Fun filled nights with fireflies.

Fellowship with friends around a warm fire.

Feeling like believing in faries,

Lying in the grass gazing up to the heavens as I watch the starlite sky.

One of my favorite memories as a child was 

going out with a mason jar and collecting fireflies.  

They are such magical insects! 

In the 50's it was safe to be out after dark.  

Playing hide and seek until moms voice could be heard over the crickets and casadas, calling us home.

I love this picture of Mom holding my hand.    We were in California one of two trips as I grew up to visit my grandfather and his wife.  My sister Kathy is next to me and my older sister Ann is the brave one 
to the far right of the picture.  

Thanks for coming by!  I love your comments. 
Blessings, Debbie

Linking with ABC Wednesday

McKim Observatory

Out for an evening drive and a stop at the local ice cream shop The Dairy Castle. 

 We usually "splurge" on a baby sundae.  

Most of their dishes are big enough for 2 people to share and still consume too many calories!  

After enjoying the sundae we decided to drive home a different road . 

We saw this white building down a street and wondered what it was.  

Much to our surprise we came upon an observatory!  

The date on the building was 1884.  

As soon as we got home we whipped out the iPads and looked it up. 

Here's what we found.

McKim Observatory    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McKim_Observatory  
is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by DePauw University. Built in 1884, it is located in    Greencastle, Indiana (USA)

The observatory is named after Robert McKim, who presented to the observatory a complete astronomical outfit at a cost of over $10,000.^[

McKim was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, on May 24, 1816, and died in Madison, Indiana, May 9, 1887. After completing his apprenticeship as a stonemason in Ireland, he emigrated to the United States, worked for a time in Philadelphia, and moved to Madison, Indiana, in 1837. In 1855, he left stone masonry and established himself in the coal business. Income from investments in real estate enabled him to make investments in manufacturing enterprises which did well

McKim was always a lover of astronomical studies, and, after his investment income was sufficient, he purchased one of the best telescopes in the United States for a private observatory adjoining his residence. Besides De Pauw, public charities and other institutions of learning also benefited by his bequests.

Hope you enjoyed this visit to Greencastle and a peice of it's history.

Blessings, Debbie


Linking with Outdoor Wednesday

E is for Exercise

Everything we do Effects how Efficient our body works.
I have struggled with health issues for years now and something finally just clicked.

 If I don't want to be the one who can't ride the bike as far as everyone else. 

 If I don't want to be Exausted 

just carrying a basket of laundry 

I must take care of this body. 

SOOOO starting 2 weeks ago

I Elected to 

Experience a new me.  

I started to EXERCISE.

I  must EXERCISE self discipline in how much I put in my mouth.

I chose to use myfitnesspal app on my phone to watch my calorie intake.  UCH!  Do you realize there are calories in EVERYTHING? 

Well, Except water...

And I joined Curves.  A friend joined with me and I was Excited to have someone to be accountable to then... she couldn't go the first day we were to go.
Hmmm I had to be Extreme in my determanation!

 I went alone.

I look more like this cute elephant than sleek little Betty above. But I don't care.

I have to do this for me.

I have now managed to go 5 days a week  and actually buttoned a pair of pants that I had felt like an Elephant pouring myself into before.

I have a long way to go,  but I have a goal!

Hope this might inspire you to get out and do something good just for YOU because YOU are worth it.

joing in the fun with ABCWednesday

Blessings, Debbie

D is for Denim

For a couple of years I have been collecting different denim  childrens jackets, 

overalls and dresses to paint. 

 The perfect time is NOW.  

My sister at Tin and Sparkle is opening a booth at a vintage and craft store.  I hope to have several items for her soon. Here is a picture of my Granddaughters and peices I have painted in the past. 

 woops...looks like the youngest had sit in something wet....

We took the family to Cancun for Christmas one year and I had fun painting "tropical" christmas clothing.  I especially loved the surffing snowman and palm trees with lights.

Hope you enjoyed my D for denim.

Linking with Blue Monday   ABC Wednesday

Thanks to some great ladies for these fun parties.