Congratulations Dara & Rohit!

Glenn and I had the honor of attending the wedding of Dara Chu and Rohit Lobo last Saturday at the Hacienda de las Flores in Moraga.  I had met Rohit in 2004 and became friends with him and his mother, Jennifer, during her 3 month visit from her home in Mangalore, India. Then in 2005 I was invited to join Rohit to travel to India for a celebration of his paternal grandmother's 90th birthday.  I was cared for so lovingly during my 2 week visit, and I fell head-over-heals in love with India.  Fast forward to fall of 2009 when I was thrilled to hear from Jennifer that Rohit was getting married and she and Leah, Rohit's endearing sister, were coming for the event. 

Rohit sharing his testimony

When Glenn and I pulled up to the venue, I could not hold back my tears of joy to see my dear friends again.  The wedding was a fun filled event overflowing with expressions of faith, commitment and love.  Glenn joins me in praying for God's abundant blessings for this unique couple as they begin their lives together as husband and wife.  Jennifer, I cannot thank you enough for sharing this special day with me. 

Who needs the Bay Bridge? We do!

The San Francisco Bay Area is dependent on our bridges - and the Bay Bridge is possibly the most important, linking the East Bay with San Francisco, Marin and the Peninsula.  Yesterday, a cable from a Labor Day weekend repair snapped, cutting a car in half, but miraculously not injuring anyone.  Now, the bridge is closed and federal experts have been brought in to help troubleshoot.  Bart and Caltran are fighting over who will pay for extended operation hours to allow more people to take public transport and the world as we know it is coming to an end.

CALL TO ACTION

it doesn't have to be this way!  we can all do our part to destroy the statistic that a child dies somewhere on our planet every 6 seconds from malnutrition. 

search your soul - find an organization that calls you and help.  budget and send a few dollars a month ,  have a garage sale and donate the proceeds, contribute 10% of your net earnings each year,  feed a child instead of taking your next vacation,  give a goat instead of a sweater as a gift,  cut out one non-essential each week and donate the money you saved,
the possibilities are endless - all we need is motivation. 

that motivation comes every 6 seconds ...

http://www.heifer.org/

http://worldrelief.org/

http://feedingamerica.org/

News from my daughter & son-in-law!

My daughter has such a clever way of communicating some very exciting news!  Congratuations Kristi & Matt, and to me & Glenn, or as we will soon be known, Gammy & Poppy.

Seasons of life

Grandmother, mother, daughter

Vickie, Jennifer, Gabriella

I love you each so much!

I love my blueberry!

Welcome little blueberry! We are so glad you have joined us on this fantastic journey called life. You are a blessing and are so popular already. There are people thinking about you, praying for you, dreaming of you, imagining you ... but don't worry. No one will bother you for quite awhile. All you have to do is grow - which is a big job for such a little fruit. As for me, I'm thinking I like the sound of Gammy. But I reserve the right to change my mind. Maybe I will let you decide. Stay warm and cozy! Hugs & kisses, Gammy

NieNie on Oprah

Oprah asked Stephanie to share a day in her life with a young mother who was struggling with being a stay at home mom. NieNie's true spirit is revealed as she communicates what is important in her life and how she copes with the day to day challenges. Stephanie Nieslson is living proof that true beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Link to Oprah video: http://www.oprah.com/media/20090924-tows-stephanie-struggle-crash

NieNie's blog can be found here: http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/

Inspiration comes in all sizes

I love mini albums, ATCs and art journals. I started July 2008 making ATCs out of scrap cardboard, then moved on to art journaling and mini albums. I like the eclectic mixture of components, and the overall funky appearance. Now what I need is confidence in my own creations, which does not come easy for me.

If you hear a voice within you say "you cannot paint," then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced. ~ ~ ~ Vincent Van Gogh

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.

~ ~ ~ Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Forever

He has, unwittingly, chronicled my life. I was introduced to "Saturate Before Using" by Larry Dean, in 1972. Then came "Late for the Sky", echoing my own damaged love life. I saw him twice in concert in San Diego before my internment in Indiana. I boycotted the "Running on Empty" stadium concert in Chicago - I need a more intimate venue to commune with my balladeer. I was one of the few who purchased "Hold Out", needing his comfort during my time in Hoosier Town. And who will forget listening to "Somebody's Baby" holding Todd on my lap, cruising around in Dave Peeler's truck? We reunited in 1993 at The Warfield in San Francisco - my best seat ever, 5th row center. He messed up the intro to "Sky Blue & Black" - so endearing. I pretended to mourn with him, but secretly I rejoiced "ding, dong - the witch is dead." I never thought 37 years ago, this guy would be my own private Frank Sinatra. But, what can I say? Forever ...

Welcome Gabriella!

Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.

They come through you but not from you,

And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,

For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls,

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,

which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.

For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children

as living arrows are sent forth.

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and

He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let our bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;

For even as He loves the arrow that flies,

so He loves also the bow that is stable.

excerpt from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran