Cataract Surgery for j!

Congratulations to j on her successful cataract surgery this past week! She has one more surgery to go, but so far so good. Today is our annual Spa Day, and I just put drops in her eyes for her. Glad to be of service to her. Happy healing, j! Now, back to Spa Day..................

Zoe: A Star Among Us

You weren't thinking I was talking about Zoe McClellan, were you? Forget Hollywood, or in her case, forget New Orleans. I'm talking about OUR Zoe, our one and only BVGD, who I wouldn't be surprised could become a Facebook star after this post on Facebook by her groomers (whose names I will protect---good job with the downcast eyes and sunglasses though, don't you think?). I'm sure Zoe was chosen for this post because of her outstanding good looks and charming demeanor. Shown here with her boyfriend, Zoe is sporting a bright yellow scarf. About the boyfriend---Elletu didn't even know about him, but she tells me we don't have to worry about any future BVGDOs because Zoe has been discreetly 'taken care of.' And Zoe will be eight years old on May 21, and we know that in dog years that makes her 56 and way past her prime to be a mama. Congratulations to Zoe for this photo shoot, and to her Pet Parent, Elletu, who I know is very proud of her girl today.

Pearls of Wisdom From the Vineyard

As seen on signs in a little shop in Poulsbo, WA:

A Hangover is the Wrath of Grapes

WINE=Women in Need of Excitement

Wine a little--it will make you feel better

She's Home-----and She's 67!

                                                          j at Crescent City - age 66

                                                 As j put it, "Last leg of our journey."
                                                                    (and still 66)

Today j turned 67, so she is older than I am, by 20 days. She is older and wiser----and my trusted advisor. And did I mention that I am now younger than she is???

Yesterday she and Mr. j (or should that be mr. j?) returned from their long odyssey, a road trip south, ultimate destination their three grandchildren in Texas. (We BVGs still acknowledge we have children, but frankly, they are adults and have their adult lives. Our grandchildren still NEED us in their lives. We are always happy for j when she is able to go see her three. She is an awesome grandma.)

On their trip they drove on a portion of historic Route 66 and sent me a picture to prove it. Had j put cucumber slices on her eyes when she posed for that photo, I would have posted it on our blog.

But alas, she has come to the end of our Route 66. I'm tempted to say, "Now you're 67 and half way to heaven!" When my own mother turned 47 I made a card for her, and I wrote on it, "Now you're 47 and half way to heaven." I was 15 at the time, and I'm quite sure 47 sounded old to me back then. Now I'm definitely positive 47 is NOT old. But 67, on the other hand...

Oh j, I'll join you soon. We're growing old together. What a privilege. It sure beats the alternative!!!!

Happy birthday, dear friend, not just from me but all three of us, your BVG Sisters. We love you, we are grateful you have returned home safely, and we pray that God will bless you with a wonderful year ahead. May you continue to grow deeper in your faith and in your joy. Welcome home, j. Can't wait to see you!

Homeward Bound

Breakfast, open air...........I don't think this is going to fly in Port Orchard, at least not until summer. Oh Bali, we are sad to say goodbye. It's been wonderful.

After breakfast we both went for a run, came back and showered and dressed, packed up, checked out of Villa Pantai, and we were off to the airport, where we sit now waiting for our flight. Elletu has been a fabulous traveling companion. We'll have to do this again sometime.

And I just keep thinking how much Allison would have enjoyed it here.

But let's keep it happy. It is, after all, April 1.

Aloha!