After 10 years....

 We have had the most wonderful Building Manager these last 10 years at our church.  And our church is so wonderful many came together to give him a big retirement sendoff!  Kenny has been part of my life at CCH for around 20 years.  This last 10 years he has served as our Building Superintendent, Manager, or just about anything we needed. He is a gentle man, who loves hunting, fixing things and the Dodgers!  Some of the many talented people in our church made the decorations, amazing food and generally a grand sendoff. Above is one of the centerpieces.  The banner says it all Thank You Kenny! Very cleaver wooden box filled with a "field" and pennants sticking out of it.  Playing over head on the big screen was a 1988 World Series Game with the Dodgers.  It was also on the speakers outside so the whole neighborhood could hear it.  I felt for a few moments like it was a true ball game, there was the sound of the game over the speaker, a nice gentle breeze

 Cracker Jacks and peanuts on the table.  I could hear "take me out to the ball game" playing in my head.  Such a great idea!  Then I was siting and enjoying the outdoors (we had people outside and inside) and decided to open the Cracker Jack bag....now be warned a rant is coming on.....So there I was in this magical moment and I reached for the bag of Cracker Jack (haven't had any of these for....um......ever! Or a really long time) knowing there was a little toy inside!

To my utter horror there was just this! Are you kidding me?  A virtual prize?  What has happened to the world?  I guess I decided at that moment that I was old.  I bet kids now a days want virtual prizes.  I mean who plays with tin toys? I suddenly felt sorry for the children of the world!  Anyway, to carry on....

As I walked into the fellowship hall I saw this cool took box.  I thought "awe, such a nice touch"...then I realized this was the cake!  Everything you see is cake!  Whaattt?  Wow we have some creative and selfless people at our church. 

 Rhett our Master of Ceremony guy did one of his famous top ten lists.  Top ten things about Kenny that we love...(something like that)

 One by one people came up to say how much they loved Kenny and how much they will miss him.  Young, old, male, female, everyone will miss him.   

 

Kenny, (above) we will truly miss you!  When we bought our building 10 years ago you came and established programs so it runs smoothly.  I know we can no thank you enough.  Ken, I love you! Have a wonderful retirement!

I've discovered a new talent!

Since I am now retired disabled, I have been finding new ways to stretch myself.  I still voulenteer for the church, but at my speed and in my own home.  I must admit, i'm not as fast as I use to be and am very behind on the few things I do for them. 

I found this app called Draw Something.  And I'm hooked.  Yes, there isn't much to gain doing it and not a lot of  deep strategy like Chess for example.  But I find my self loving it!  The problem is that you can't find too many people who want to continue playing it because after a while the words are not replenished.  So you get to know what they are.  With that said, I decided to try and draw better with my stylus and ipad!  Here are a few of my "artistic drawings".  Beaver, hobo, zebra, and Garfield (personal favorite).  Anyway, wanted to give a shout out to the most fun app I've found lately.  And if you get tired of playing, let your kid play me!  I promise to only choose tasteful drawings!  Use my email pam.pensiero@gmail.com or my FB name Pandora Lee Pensiero (Richards) to find me!  Click HERE for the app.

Oh the times, they are a changin...

It started about 37 years ago!  My husband wanted a tattoo! He and a friend went drunk to a tattoo parlor in Long Beach. Needless to say, he chickened out (good thing for him!)

Then about 15 years ago he did get a tattoo, and it was my name Pandora.  He went into a shop and chose lettering from a chart.  Looking back on it and knowing what we do now, he probably should have found someone else and gotten bigger better lettering.  But then again, the world of tattooing is way different now.

When my son was 18 he wanted a tattoo and when he got his first, Gene got the little heart!

Jump ahead to 2012 and we both started getting ink.  Gene wanted something that had to do with our wonderful love and marriage, so he went in with a small idea to Lou's Tattoo in Lemoore and ended up with this tattoo

It is just simply gorgeous! When I saw this, I knew I had to have a tattoo of my own!  I spells out Two hearts one love in Italian with our wedding date!

I decided to have Lewis, from Lou's Tattoo design a tattoo for me

I wanted something that had to do with the scripture Psalm 30:5, which states joy comes in the morning.  I was thinking it was more about the next life when we are free from the suffering of the present time and are truly filled with joy.  But little did I know that that biggest trial of my life was just before me,  The Lord wanted me to know that everything was not over, and that joy does come in the morning....(BTW this photo was of the healed tattoo binged up by my amazing manicurist named Valerie at the Nail Attic in Lemoore-the glitter isn't always there)

Because Lewis' work is so amazing..we got more! 

Gene got my name again on his finger...I got this lovely cross (completely designed by Lewis)

Gene wanted to have the first tattoo embellished a bit, so Lewis came up with this idea..The swallows (who always return to their homes) each holding a love letter with my name on it!  So sweet and romantic!  Not to mention beautiful! 

This one is on my shoulder and goes along with Gene's Italian one....

This is the last one Gene got.  It is the Alpha and Omega, speaking of Jesus, of course.  It is another amazing tattoo by Lewis.  Check out his work on the enabled link.  I highly recommend the studio and the artists there!

My "simple life" has added ink to it. I don't know why, but I'm so glad I did! 

Birding!

Last Monday Gene and I went birding at the Laton Kingston Park.  It's a little park with access to the Kings River.  Because it is Spring and kids are in school, the water is low and it is fairly cold for water activities, the park was virtually empty.  Except the occasional lone guy that has rap music blaring and a shady look to him....but that is not important right now!   We saw some birds we have never seen before.

A little background....I have begun taking not of the little birds that come in my yard.  And some big ones!  If you read my blog you have probably read about the hawk that comes around and some of the other sitings. 

At this park there is a bridge and under the bridge are little mud nests belonging to these birds:

I believe them to be cliff swallows due to what I could identify.

There were many hawks

Which were flying high above.  Having only a limited lens these were the best photos I could muster.

I'm not exactly sure what kind of hawk it was but hopefully someone can give their opinion.


Then high in the trees we saw flashes of yellow and we think them to be yellow rumped warblers.

There was marking in the right spots.  Yellow under wings and blackish on top.  They were very high in the trees so it is hard to say exactly.

There was the occasional Western Scrub Jay.  This one appears to be robbing a crows nest.  There were Mocking Birds, Sparrows
 

But the most exciting was the Cedar Waxwings!  I have never seen such a beautiful bird in California. I know there are amazing birds in California but not in the usual back yard.  We heard and saw a slight rustling over on the edges of the park high in some trees.  When we looked through the binoculars we saw them! I wish I had a $5,000.00 lens but here are some of the better photos I could get

As you can see, it was a successful outing!  Who knew? I think I found a new hobby!  I hear there are bald eagles up in the Sierra here...really????

What does the cross, suffering and a pearl have to show us?

A blog I follow and a site I absolutely love is The Vintage Pearl  I love their business practices and their creativity.  I saw this lovely cross from one of my instagram followers and fell in love with it.  It was so unusual.  I have never seen a cross like this. I promptly purchased it and it came lightening fast!

Some of you know I have been going through some very personal sad trials.  Today as I was thinking of Easter and the sacrifice Jesus made for us, something occurred to me:  The suffering He endured on the cross allowed us to have eternal life.  That sounds so common a statement, but as I was wallowing in my own sorrow about the betrayal and loss I have been experiencing, I realized that Jesus was betrayed and lost so much coming here to earth to suffer and die so that we might have eternity with Him.  I realized that He really DID understand.  That when I sit and feel sad about my situation, He is there with me consoling me, even if I don't understand or feel Him.

I then looked at the necklace.  The cross, with the crown of thorns, heart and pearl all suddenly meant something to me.

The cross-Jesus sacrifice for our sins
The crown-the suffering, shame, mockery, betrayal
The heart-all of it because His heart is toward mankind
The pearl- the beauty and preciousness of the gift of eternity, which comes from thee pain of the cross.

Just like a real pearl comes from the "pain" and irritation of an oyster. so our eternity comes from His suffering.  He coats us with His mercy, comfort and love so that one day we are a gem of such beauty that we can't even conceive it now.

This little necklace has ministered to me in a way I would have never expected.  Thank you Vintage Pearl!  And it is a limited piece, called Loved and Redeemed.  If you want one you should act quickly!  Check it out here.

If I must....

For a few years now I have been utilizing a cane when I have to walk in places like Wal-Mart, Disneyland, or in the heat.  I had a couple of ugly canes which frankly makes using a cane worse.  So I finally stopped the denial and decided to get a cane I am proud of.  

Being a fan of Downton Abby, I decided a cane that looks like Violet Crawley.  I found this cane for a very reasonable price, I might add, on ebay.  

So, here I have entered into the cane era.  I'm thinking I might start a collection!  

Here's to change and aging!

Hello!

It has been so long since I've really blogged.  So I almost thought I would close the whole site down.  Mostly, I figured faithful readers had decided I was gone.  I'm here, but through some changes in my life and health I haven't felt much like blogging.

My M.S. has progressed to the Secondary Progressive phase, which means I really don't have too many attacks I just seem to be getting steadily worse. I did have a brain stem attack last year which has left me with residual left side numbness on my face.  A very annoying side effect, however it is kind of a warning sign.  If I get too overheated it grows numb and I know it's time to slow down or at least get cool!

This past year my daughter and her husband got a divorce.  This has proven to be a very stressful life event.  Our little CJ, who has been a big part of my blog here does not come as often to visit.  But when we do get to see her we try and keep her in touch with her cousins.  Yes I said cousins!  We had another beautiful Grandson since the last time I really posted.  His name is Ezekiel. He's that blue eyed beauty on the bottom right corner.  His brother, as you can see, is a mischievous little guy! They all make me so happy.

So to recap, I'm here trying to manage the stress that normal life brings and trusting The Lord to work everything out for my good and His glory.

I plan to go back to blogging about my simple pleasures.  Hope you are still out there.