Lawnmower from Michael -- THANK YOU !!!!

Michael gave us a lawnmower when we saw him last weekend. It is a battery operated lawnmower that has the electrical parts away from my defibrilator so I can run the lawnmower. It has been charging since we got home and I got to try it out this morning. It started with no problem, runs without having to worry about a cord being drug around, and goes up and down for height adjustment real easily.
Above is a sample of the grass I would cut and below is a picture of the front yard after cutting the first time. The grass was so long I did not think I could push the mower when it was as low as I like to keep the front lawn. I will wait a day and cut the grass again at a lower setting. Did a pretty good job for the old lady doing the mowing --
I am happy -- Thanks again Michael and Shawna.

Not a golf coarse but it will be better as I work on it. I am so happy.

The first strawberry starting to get ripe -- looking forward to that day. Need to get out and get those weeds again at the bottom.

Below is a picture of a raspberry plant I put in the ground this year, it is still alive and has some green starting to grow -- this could be a very good year.

And the pansy I got on Mother's Day at Church is Still ALIVE!!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!

Surprise at Michael's

Michael is moving out of his house in preparation of selling. He was going through a lot of things and as we all do at a time like that weeding out his unnecessary things. He has not been blessed with children so he is getting rid of some equipment he had when they had company with children. You know who is now a new grandmother hoping to see her children and grandchildren decided to take some of the baby things for when a granddaughter may come to visit. Hopefullly that will be a frequent experience. A shape sorter, big lego's, and a toy were some of the things I was able to find.
Safety plugs and cord shorteners for the little fingers to be protected from electricity outlets were available as well as a rolling toy.

The blue item is a pack and play pen that is 24 inches high from the inside and 38 inches long. It has a mesh pocket on one end to help keep the inside from being too cluttered and still able to keep things close by. The unit is made of like PVC pipe and nylon fabric. It has a nice bottom and a carrying bag for storage.

Hopefully it will get the kind of use I dream of. Looking forward to its use.

Michael's Home near Seattle Washington May 2009

Part of our Memorial Day weekend was a trip to our Son -- Michaels home near Seattle Washington. I had never seen the home except in pictures and I was amazed at how beautiful it was. I loved the exterior rock work on some of the outside of the home. It really brought me comfort because it immediately reminded me of my grandfathers cabin near Sandy Oregon where I have so many great memories of my mothers parents and their families.
The living room fireplace was beautiful, from someone who is cold constantly now and loves fires this room made me feel like it may have been my favorite room.


The hot tub area was gorgeous. The above picture is under the shelter and is visible from inside the house. The cover is in place but it must have been a lot of fun when guests were over.

The bottom picture shows the landscaping around the side of the tub, I fell in love with the stool placements so people who did not wish to be in the water could still be involved with the conversation of those who did. So versatile and easy going. The plants are beautiful and the backyard is green and lush. The miniature lilac plant gives a wonderful smell and it is beautiful.

Some of the major fun was seeing two of my sons pouring over things together. In the background you can see lego's still being used. Pictures on the wall show some of Michaels years with us, some of his growing up pictures and some of his Eagle Court of Honor pictures. Also in the background are some round doily like hangers that Grandma Garlick made that Michael is still protecting. The rest is electronic and computer stuff -- high interest areas for my two boys, Michael works for Microsoft and Phillip for Intel.

Unfortunatley, I had trouble with the camera so did not get any other pictures. There was so much more that I would have taken if I had figured out the problem. Anyway -- We had a wonderful meal with Michael and Shawna before we left and I was treated by Shawna starting to sing along with some backgound music, she has an awsome voice and she quit singing much too soon for me. I just need to comment how fortunate I think Michael is to have found such a good wife, she is very intelligent, hard working, has a beautiful voice and has friends, really good friends that help make their lives full and enjoyable. Thank you Shawna and Michael for your love and friendship.

Ariana Evensen, May 2009

Some of the highlights of the evening for Ariana Evensen was a number by the Evensen Family, sang "You Never Walk Alone", the family really do sound well when they are singing together. (Camille did not sing but she gave the piano pitch for the rest of the family)
Bishop Powell commented for a few minutes, he even began singing a few bars that was a signal between Ariana and himself.


Recognition of Ariana's beautiful smile and her bubbly personality were expressed by President Peacock.


Ariana spoke a few minutes thanking people at the end. During the evening, Ariana did play a musical number that she wrote and it had some beautiful words that we were able to read as she was playing the piano: "Greater Love by Ariana"

He was despised and rejected of mankind.
And when "they hid their faces from him",
It may have been mine:
But still he said, "Come follow me",
Be fishers of men.
Share with them the love of he that gave light to them.

Chorus:
Greater love hath no man than this,
That a man lay down his life for his friend.

"Peace I leave unto you" was all he said.
And when the others slept, he suffered and bled.
Alone in the world he'd made by hands,
He paid the price for my weak soul,
Gave life to men,
Our Lord,
Our Lord.



Then came Jesus down, wearing a crown of thorns.
And the purple robe.
And they smote him with their
Hands.

"Oh righteous father, the world hath not known thee"
The world hath not know thee,
O Lord.


Chorus


And soon, we'll all be with him again,
Becuse of his Love, we can return
Resurrected with
Our Lord.

The evening ended with a chocolate fondu table which was well received by the fortunate people who attended such a beatiful young women's recogition for Ariana Evensen.

Happy Mothers Day

This is a picture of the flower I got at Church for Mothers Day. I am excited with it. I found out that plant is one that can be eatten and I will probably try it out later in the summer.


I shared this little tid bit with the sisters that I visit teach. I love the sentiment expressed and hope you might enjoy it also.

Mommy to Mom to Mother -- author unknown

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;

They don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils

Are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,

Filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough

Doesn't come out of carpet.

Real Mothers don't want to know what

The vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'

And get their answer when a little

Voice says 'Because I love you best.'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth

Is not measured by height or years or grade...

It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Birthday

My birthday is Sunday, May 10th and a lot of neat things have been happening. My family, all of the members, got together and gave me a Vita Mix machine. I have been trying to eat to help regain my health and thought going to a raw foods diet might be part of my answer. I have been eating a green smoothie using my blender but it left chunks of green leafy vegetables in it. The Vita Mix made the smoothie without leaving the chunks -- it was also a lot faster and easier to blend. The smoothie even tastes better. The Vita Mix was delivered to the house Friday night and Phillip told his Dad he bet Mom would make a green smoothie first -- He was right. There is a green smoothie pictured made from Pear and Kale.





The picture above also shows the Vita Mix, and a blueberry muffin (still warm) given to me by the Evensen's (Scott and Camille brought it over - lighted a candle -- sang Happy Birthday -- & visited a few minutes with the old lady.) What a surprise and joy. Thank you Evensen's.

The surprises of the day kept adding up. After Church, Sister Ilene King gave me the heart above from her husband and herself. We are so lucky to have such good friends. Too bad my picture taking skills are so low. The statement on the heart says "Friendship is a flower that blooms in the heart,"

Still not the best picture, it is my dinner, raw chinese rice. The rice is cauliflower put through the Vita Mix with vegetables also going through the blender. Mine has carrot, celery, garlic, raw ginger, and I sliced some green onion (like the looks better). I mixed in some sesame seeds, sesame oil, and green peas. I added just a little liquid aminos for the oriental taste. This has become one of my all time favorites though I am still very new at figuring out how to eat and am sure I will discover new foods to excite me. Happy Eating!!

Beautiful Week

Monday, what a day. I had to get lab tests done this week and because of my schedule I had to have them done at a lab I do not like. By Tuesday morning my phone was ringing off the hook with bad news upon bad news from the doctors offices. I was not dealing well with the news and allowed myself to get into a very bad mood.

Then, I had 2 very special visitors that changed everything around for me. Thank you Colby and Michael!!

Colby Turner and Michael Tippery came over and said they would mow the lawn. It was a very big job with lots of dandelions and tall grass. I have been worried about it because I am not allowed to use gas engines or tools with electric cords because of the defibrilator I have. I did not know how I was going to get the lawn mowed as Sam is in Provo Utah, Phillip is working a lot of very late hours, and Don does not have the health to help at this time. What a predicatment and these two young men came to my rescue. I am so grateful for their help and enthusiasim. I am only sorry I am not very good with a camera. This surprise started on Tuesday and they came back on Thursday. What a blessing.

Wednesday started out a little grey but certainly looked up when I saw the sight below. I rode Trimet bus down to 30th and Division, then walked from there to the Colonial Heights (old Portland Stake House) building where the Family History Center is. I enjoy helping people there on Wednesday morning and usually feel real good walking to the building from the bus stop.

I was cold, the day was wet when I started and the weather was sort of super heavy misting as I walked. I was not in the best of moods when I looked up and saw that beautiful pink dogwood tree with the blue lithadora around its base. The grounds looked magnificient to me then -- what a joy.

Sam called and had some good news for us. He is well and I am much happier after hearing from him and hearing a little of the happiness back in his voice.

Just a little more about this very special place. This is the Stake House I went to as I was growing up.

We used to attend Stake Conference and between sessions have a picnic lunch on the grounds. Parking was very difficult around there, especially during conference -- we could not get home and back in time for the second session -- that was WHY we had picnics there.

I saw leaders of the Church there (usually sitting on chairs on the stage), attended lots of dances and activities there, was baptized there, bought our first house in the ward boundaries of that beautiful building, and now have the opportunity of helping people with family history in that building.

Pink dogwood is a favorite plant of some of the Garlick ancestors and BLUE is my husbands favorite color. What a beautiful memory the picture above represents for me.

Beginnings

I decided our yard needed some changes and I decided the smoker that Phillip built an few years ago was no longer needed. He said it never worked correctly anyway. So I started stealing the cement blocks and using them for another project. Sam was able to help me finish lining out the next project for the cement blocks -- construction of a raised bed in the greenhouse. The picture above is the smoker being taken apart. The picture below is the bed starting to be assembled in the greenhouse.

The outside edge is complete and the interior is being filled up with grass clippings, clipped brances, and other yard debris as if it were a compost pile. I am in hopes of being able to create a good growing medium before next fall so we might be able to grow some easy vegetables throughout the winter.

The project is going very slowly as Sam has moved out of the state looking for work and growing up. My resources for help have been slashed and I am going to continue doing it myself. It does not go very fast but I have hopes I will become stronger as I work through my ideas.

I would like to share a poem I ran across awhile back that I feel indicates some of my feelings. The poem was written Audrey Hepburn one time when she was asked to give some of her "beauty tips" The poem was later read at her funeral.

For attractive lips,

speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes,

seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure,

share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.

For poise,

walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things,

have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed;

never throw out anyone.

Remember,

if you ever need a helping hand,

you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older,

you will discover that you have two hands;

one for helping yourself,

and the other for helping others.