GRAPPY HATITUDE DAY

how many ways can you say

THANKSGIVING?

 the GRATEFUL groendyke family

had an invite

to the ellis family home.

we GRACIOUSLY accepted.

our assignment ,

the appetizers

(THANK goodness)

our kitchen was busy...

but not stressed

we prepared

a cheesy looking turkey

made of a cheeseball

crackers and fruit

chilled shrimp

grape tomatoes

sweet pickles

savory meatballs

muddy buddy snack mix

the ellis home
was decorated
perfect for the season of THANKS

noah REJOICED at the sight of
BOYS and TOYS

the scent of homemade rolls
roasted turkey
and marshmallow topped yams
cascaded through the home

we APPRECIATED 
the hugs,
the visits,
the beautiful prayer,
offered by uncle mike
everyone's efforts
and filled tummies
from the vast buffet of food

jodi had made gorgeous autumn pies
carly came with a clever
hair bow
that she had crafted
but we missed

grandma garff
she took a topple the other day
and sported a magnificent
shiner
that would be the envy of boxers
that fight for a living

aunt linda
had a gigantic get well card
for all to sign
THANK YOU for the thought

certainly we were BLESSED
to be surrounded by
good people,
our family

we felt deep GRATITUDE
for our freedoms
to have food to eat
and the warmth of shelter

we felt APPRECIATION
for testimonies of the gospel
and the love felt
from and for our
Savior, Jesus Christ
PRAISED be his
Holy Name

GRAPPY HATTITUDE

m & m's AND COKE--PERFECT COMBINATION

the sky was blue

no rain,

no clouds,

just blue.

too nice,

not to be enjoyed.

besides,

before leaving vegas

the groendyke family needed to make

a sweet stop to a 

sweet shop...the

m&m museum.

all those bright and beautiful 

colors by the handfuls were displayed. 

from 1954 - today,

m&m's have been a constant.

the look and design may have changed,

new flavors added,

but still a favorite candy

"that melts in your mouth and

not in your hands."

next, 

a refreshing visit

to "it's the real thing"

coca-cola museum.

a walk along the strip...

well lets to say,

we saw some pretty interesting people

doing some pretty interesting things

in some pretty interesting outfits

(and some pretty missing outfit parts)

noah passed zoltar

the fortune teller.

"please, dad..."

zoltar

did not predict 

that we would spend the next hour

looking for our car...

las vegas?

or

lost vegas?

that old saying

 "what happens in vegas

stays in vegas"

heck...no wonder

everyone is looking for their car

STAY AND PLAY FOR ONE MORE DAY

guests were given a party favor

to remember

this grand celebration

of mom and dad.

good-byes and hugs were shared

which is

never easy.

for the groendyke family

one more DAY OF PLAY

was in order.

the family that cared for noah,

left saturday for california.

las vegas was on the way

and so an exchange was made

at the in-n-out burger.

the shark museum

at mandalay bay

was a must

the colors of the underworld

were brilliant.

i was fascinated

and though my camera was broken somewhat,

the photos were amazing.

from there

we went to the burger bar

supposiviely the best burgers in town.

we browsed and tried on hats

and checked out the candy store

"shoecolate"

tempting,

but i resisted.

back to the suite...

ANNIVERSARY "IN THE MEANTIME"

 naturally,

boredom would not be an event.

there were optional activities

to enjoy

at one's choosing 

IN THE MEANTIME

fitness:

golf:

las vegas temple:


shopping:

turkey trot:

pedicures:

football:

what the hart family knows best

visiting:

and

couple time:


i discovered
that
IN THE MEANTIME
is a rather nice place to visit

SHE'S BACK !

   SHE’S BACK !

   introduction:

i am thinking of the movie

“poltergeist.”

 the charming little girl

in front of a television

blaring with static

and then the infamous words

“THEY’RE BACK”

referring to the unsettled spirits

that have their mission

of taunting, making a mess of the home.

and frightening the 

bejeepers out of the members 

of that

household.

first act:

i stayed with my mother and father

at the huntsman cancer 

hospital and institute.

though circumstances were challenging,

spirits were full of hope and cheer.

there was laughter.

there was service in every aspect

of a multitude people.

there were smiles,

visitors and magnificent flowers.

there was great news from the Doctors

and great progress from the patient.

second act:

so,

it was time for me to return home 

with heavy eyelids

but a cheerful heart.

i pulled into the garage

maybe a tad too far

how it happened, i can’t explain...

i smashed the drawer into

smitherines.

needless to say,

i did not get the warm reception 

i had hoped for.

discouraged i went to my bedroom 

only to discover

da vinci found 

noah’s stuffed animals

i could not face another upset

so i crawled into my bed.

slumber found me

but it was short lived,

“are you watching your son?”

questioned rick

i had heard the bath water running

but i couldn’t hear soap suds.

bubbles, 

bubbles 

and even more  

bubbles...

 growing and overflowing

and all of the sudden

noah emerged

goggles and all !

intermission:

i appreciated the moment for what it was...

a moment of humor and then

 i threw down the towels.

third act:

da vinci was outside.

i have a tendency to bribe him with bread.

i was walking ahead trying

to coax him in the desired direction

and dog gone that dog gone dog !

he took it..

no, bit it, right out of my hand !

finger and all.

fourth and final act:

clearly, i’m back

to the haunting of daily challenges.

i’ll pout for a bit.

then, i’ll count my blessings.

i’ll put on a smile...

and listen

for

SHE’S BACK !

only this time

 as the ghost buster...

the destruction slayer...

the bubble blower...

the princess of her palace...

it’s good to be home !

GRAND PRISMATIC SPRINGS {13}

i have only seen post cards,

but today...

in person.

i was dressed to attend the playmill following

this display of color and beauty.

i packed shoes that would make the walk easier, 

unfortunately,

my boy didn't bring shoes

period !

that would not deter me.

i dealt with the gravel between my toes

the dust

permanently transforming 

the black shoes to taupe

(noah must have felt guilty...mom, i like that color better anyway)

and the view...

see for yourself

?????