Life is full!
Mike and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary September 23rd.
Then Boomdee (aka Kelly or Petals) came to town.
I had a birthday…
Then hosted a gathering of friends.
I ate too much cake and homemade flan but enjoyed every morsel. By the way, peeking out from under the plate is one of my gorgeous new dinner napkins also known as serviettes. Kelly meticulously hand-stenciled them as a birthday gift. Please check out Kelly’s Korner for the full reveal and tutorial. They’re stunning!
We road a steam train up a steep grade through the redwood forests, traveling on a narrow-gauge railroad.
We visited the historic Ainsley home in downtown Campbell.
On Sunday we Skyped with Laurie and Pauline, covering topics both serious and mundane. It was good to catch up.
Kelly and I enjoyed full days and unscheduled nights, with time to relax, have a cup of tea or a glass of wine, and to put up our feet. What a joyful week.
In a flash, it was time to put Boomdee on a plane, as we made plans for a visit next year.
Next up: Edmonton, Alberta Canada. If my surgery goes well I’ll have an honest to goodness bounce in my step. Planning the next visit makes the goodbyes a little easier.
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I’ve missed your blog and look forward to catching up with you in the next few weeks.
So lovely to see these photos of you enjoying your anniversary, birthday and Boomdee visit! I bet it all went by in a flash!! A visit to Edmonton will be just fabulous for you, a chance to see the Boomer in her own stomping ground! It is wonderful that you two can get together at least annually. Memories of seeing both of you together having fun always make me smile. Is the boot working to keep your foot safe between now and surgery date? I know you have to be careful and too much walking and exercising are probably out of the question, but are you managing a bit of an amble here and there?
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Thank you, Pauline. It did go by in a flash, but like our time in DC, we packed a lot of goodness and fun memories into those days and weeks. I can scarcely believe it’s mid-October.
I’m so excited to visit Kelly in her home town. It will be wonderful to meet some of her friends and family, her kitties and to see the city we’ve all read so much about.
Thanks for your good thoughts, care, love and positive energy. You’re a dear.
The boot does a good job keeping my foot stable. It’s hard, dense plastic on the bottom and both sides. Within that is a padded lining that I inflate by compressing a pump. It velcros to my foot. I wear it dawn till dusk, but not to bed. I would most likely send Mike to the hospital with one inadvertant kick. I’ve already bruised my right ankle by accidently kicking myself with the boot. Ouch!
I hobble around the house, and walk through stores and the post office and other errands. I even managed to set up Halloween decorations for a client, though had Mike stop by to hang the one thing that needed hanging since I can’t climb on ladders or chairs. That said, I sure miss the long walks and hikes and hope that I have a full recovery allowing me to resume those activities.
My doctor gave me a good scare, saying that what is currently described as a “near complete tear” could become a complete tear, seperating the tendon from the bone. Ugh!
I hope today finds you well. I’m sitting at the orthodontist with M. who’s having his braces removed today after four years. He’s pretty happy…and he’s missing a moring of school to boot.
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Go the younger Master F !! I shall keep an eye on fb for the smiling reveal 🙂
We are counting down with you [and LB] and I am sure the outcome will be most favourable for both of you!!
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I’m going to start planning your visit *now* so that I might even come close to your extraordinary hosting skills. Which you seem to do so effortlessly. I’m so so excited at the idea of zooming around town with you, shriek!! What should we do on your *first* visit…..? OMGosh, making a list. I’m sorry your foot is such a concern right now, seems scary really thinking about tears and bones. I hope you’ll get relief from your pending procedure and by the time we’re tripping around Alberta, you’ll be right as rain. I’m wishing with all my heart !!!! ❤ ❤
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Happy Belated Birthday Wishes! Sounds like you have been busy having fun. Hope your foot heals quickly! 🙂
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Thank you, Cathy! I think I’ve been cramming all the busy and fun into these last few weeks prior to surgery in anticipation of weeks with my feet up and my activities curtailed. I’m missing your blog updates, and look forward to a good read soon.
Meanwhile, how is your foot/feet doing?
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Hi Alys, I am often thinking of you – my feet are (I hope) slowly getting better… I nearly despaired a couple of weeks ago, worried it would never improve. Then my thoughtful partner surprised me with a fold-away bike! I can now be more mobile wherever I go as it is easy to stow in the car! 🙂 I really do hope your surgery is successful and you will be dancing by Christmas! 😉
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What a thoughtful gift! I’ve never heard of stow-away bikes. That’s a great idea. I’m glad to hear its giving you more mobility. Sorry to hear you continue to be in such pain though. It’s so hard with your feet. They carry you everywhere. Wishing you continued improvement, Cathy.
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Thanks Alys. 🙂
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Happy celebrations and Happy Mending!
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Thank you!!!
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The photos were all smile worthy. A 20 year anniversary is nothing to sneeze at and to still be in love that long is even more remarkable. I know many couples that stay together that long but don’t still have the twinkle you and Mike have. You have had so much to celebrate and you can sit and savor every morsel as you heal. Do take as much time as you need so you can be up and running again. 🙂 To Edmonton. You’ll need lots of energy for that trip! Is that your sister, Sharon I see in the photo with Kelly? They look like sisters too. 🙂 Lots of hugs.
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Thank you, Marlene. As I see other marriages fail, I realize how very lucky we are to still love each other, like each other, and enjoy each other’s company. We’ve weathered the ususal ups and downs, but our love and commitment remain strong. Thanks for noticing that twinkle.
You have a keen eye, my dear. That is Sharon with Kelly. Isn’t that the cutest photo? Sharon was just leaving and Kelly swooped down to give her this hug. That was a magical evening, with Kelly meeting a few of my friends for the first time, but that she had already connected with on Facebook.
They do look like sisters and in fact we think of Kelly as an honary sister.
Good advice on resting after the surgery. I plan to be the world’s best patient so that I heal properly and make a full recovery. I’m missing my physicality. I love walking, hiking, gardening and all are currently on hold.
xox
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❤ ❤ ❤ Honorary Sister ! That feels wonderful xo
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What a precious trip full of so many wonderful adventures. You are surrounded by such dear people. The last time I had flan I was in high school and thought it was disgusting but Bunny’s makes me want to try it again. Mmm. Here’s to many more happy birthdays, anniversaries (looking good in that blue dress! !) and trips!
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great photos, glad you had such a nice time – each new day is a gift.
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Thank you, Bonnie! You’re right, each day is a new gift. I’m lucky to be in the world.
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Such a wonderful, happy collection of smiley faces! Seems like you did so much and spent some great times with friends and family. Love the photo on the steam train rockin’ the cap! The Ainsley Home looks fascinating and the old range seems to be in great condition for its age. Happy Anniversary, Happy Birthday and good luck with the surgery:)
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Thank you Sewchet, I bought that cap when Alys and I hooked up in Victoria Canada Aug ’14.
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…where a good time was had by all.
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True that! 😀
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😀
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Congratulations on your wedding anniversary, birthday, that beautiful dress and to all your good friends and good times! Cheers, Johanna
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Thank you, Johanna! It’s been a bit of a whirlwind but lots of goodness, too. I’ve caught glimpses of your travel posts, and look forward to catching up on your life soon. xox
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Congratulations on all the good anniversaries and Boomdee’s visit. What great pictures. They were a joy to see.
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Thank you, Lisa! We had such a good visit together, with the ususally amount of laughter and good cheer. I’m missing your blog and look forward to a good serial reading soon so I can catch up. I read your reunion blog and was moved and intrigued. I promise a good reply soon.
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So much to celebrate, Alys! Now you can enjoy all of the wonderful memories of special times with family and friends! Big hugs! ♡
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Thank you, Dawn! I’m missing your blog posts and look forward to some time this weekend to catch up. Big hugs to you as well. Thanks for stopping by.
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So nice to see the two of you enjoying all that is! hugs to you!
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Thanks, Danella! It was fun catching a glimpse of you the past two times we Skyped. I hope you are doing well.
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So lovely to see you too! I hope I haven’t seemed rude to you, Laurie and Boomdee. I would have loved to join in the chat with you and the other lovely ladies and really meet you all…. but I did not want to gate crash Pauline’s party!! …. but I will at some point!
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Me again 😀 ah! What a fun visit this morning here. All your photo’s are so gorgeous and I’ve got a big silly grin on my face reading all the messages from our friends. The photo’s of you and Mike are really dear, your love for each other comes through. I think that man is really special and clearly smitten with you. I love that he’s not shy about showing his affections. I know couples that never cuddle or hold hands or smooch in front of us. We’re all about showing our love whenever we feel happy to be together. Being good partners, year after year, means compatibility is a must and obviously you both are. Happy 20th Wedding Anniversary hon and congratulations to you both. You make it look effortless.
That toast picture at Ainsley house makes me laugh. As does the stairwell photo. What a goof. I’m so not someone who likes to be photographed. I’m glad I didn’t make a funny face in Sharon’s photo because I really like that one. Sharon’s so dang cute and has an amazing vibe even though every day there are physical challenges, I love that.
Thank you for every little thing and having me take over your lives that whole week. My favourite photo is also at redemption. I wish I got one with you wearing my glasses. You looked so cute with them on….well, a photo op for next visit. xox How will I last a year? xoxoxoxoxox ❤ ❤ ❤ mwaaaa, K
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