Happy Birthday, John!

Hope you are doing what you want to do this fine day!

Happy 82nd Grandpa!

your warm smile,
your gentle laugh,
your gratitude,
to be like you is a goal indeed,
to always be there when in need,
a great role model,
a great friend,
the person we loved until the end,
your still close to our thoughts,
your looking down,
still playing a role,
not a day goes by-
without a happy thouhts of you,
unconditional love,
thats what we have for you!
by Lisa Bruce

Fullness

Every year I am dragged by time into the fullness of summer. As August approaches, I mourn a little. Where has summer gone. Why have I wasted a minute of it. Winter is so long. Then a couple days into August I can see the gold tone under the green, and the richness of summer is everywhere in the golden afternoon light, the earlier sunsets, and the cooler mornings. August is a perfectly ripened fruit. In western Washington, late summer can last until Halloween and I feel a little bit silly and greedy about mourning in July.
I have always enjoyed Shakespeare at Lynndale Park. There is a perfect little natural amphitheatre surrounded by tall trees that allow sun in dapples and soft rays. As the sun sets and the stage lights take over and the dramatic tension builds and the audience leans in to follow, I feel connected viscerally to storytelling all the way back. I saw all four this year--Othello (got to love a good villain,) As You Like It, Romeo and Juliet, and All's Well that Ends Well. The quote I am holding onto is from As You Like It. Act II, Duke Sr in the forest of Arden:

Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Which like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Yet wears a precious jewel upon his head;
And this our life exempt from public haunt,
Finds tongues in trees, books in running brooks,
Sermons in stones, and good in everything.
I would not change it.

1 year ago.. and many to go!

Hey everyone!

This is a picture that Justin and I took on Sunday August 1st 2010. Look familliar? It is at Fort Worden : ) We went back to the fort to celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary. We had a blast. We went all over the fort and then stayed the night at the Tides Inn (same place we stayed on our wedding ). It has already been a year! How time flies. Still can't believe how blessed we were that all of you could make it! (except Eric who was busy skiing in Chile). Thanks again to all of you for being there and then the wonderful trip we had in Montana last year. Even though I am sad we could not make it out this year, the house is coming along beautifully! Here are some pictures of the house and the progress we have made so far : )

exterior walls are up! interior framing complete (first floor)

Breaking ground...

Our excavation was finished last week and the foundation has also been completed. Justin, Michala, and I worked hard last Friday and will be going up again tomorrow. Can't wait until I have some better photos for you guys. Wish you were all here to see it : )

Love you all

Ground Breaking 28518 74th Dr, Stanwood, WA

All of us who showed up for the groundbreaking ceremony for Lisa and Justin's house had a really good time!

my blog...

http://lisabruce-love.blogspot.com/

If anyone would like to follow my blog, here is the website. You can follow whats going on with everything and also the status of our "soon-to-be home"

Bookclub blogs plus

Jan's blog is The Spirit of Maxine
Sandy's is Life is Crazy, Life is Beautiful (She posted our bookclub reading list)
Lynn's is NW Artist
Don's is Movie Reviewwweros (He's not bookclub, but a friend from Safeco and fun to read)

we remember

In the rising of the sun
and in its going down: - we remember them.

In the blowing of the wind
and in the chill of winter: - we remember them.

In the opening of buds
and in the warmth of summer: - we remember them.

In the rustling of the leaves
and the beauty of autumn: - we remember them

In the beginning of the year
and when it ends: - we remember them.

For we are weary
and in need of strength: - we remember them.

When we are lost
and sick at heart: - we remember them.

When we have joys we
yearn to share: - we remember them.

So long as we live ............They too shall live.

For they are now a part of us: - we remember them.

(Jewish Remembrance Service)

Watching basketball in Spokane

Lisa, Justin, Michala, Mr. Smokey, Dr. Einstein and I drove out to meet with Henry and family last Friday. This was Henry's show, because his tournament was the reason. Really enjoyed watching Henry or Prince Henry as he is known on the west coast gracefully, energetically and athletically play basketball. And luckily it's true that if you can't sit on a beach somewhere, a basketball or baseball game can get you caught up with Jeane and Tim, too. Can't mention grace and energy without thanking Grace and Sealy for taking time out from dancing, swimming and reading to get some cousin time. I even found time to sit on a solitary bench to view the river, the budding trees and the birds and also dream and reminisce.

Happy Birthday Susan!!

John, Paula & Sarah

All Together for Colleens Birthday Lunch!

Easter

Spring Break

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIM..

I am following Johns lead and posting a birthday picture for Tim...
Summer 2009 @ Flathead. They called them "flame broiled" burgers : )

Oscars 2010

Michala and I did out best to watch Oscar nominated movies including Avatar, The Hurt Locker, The Blind Side, Up in the Air, and Crazy Heart. I saw Up with Lily and Julia. Bookclub came over to my house and Ian brought swag bags. I liked the winners except for best screenplay, because Inglorious Basterds the most creative and unique. My two word reviews are on my facebook page. We watched Precious after the awards--four word review--never give up hope!

Happy Birthday Jeane!!!

Photo: Hawaii - last Christmas.

John, Paula & Sarah

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARY!

Hope you have a great day!

John, Paula and Sarah

2010 is taking some getting used to...

Hello,

I was taking a survey trying to determine the best job for me and one of the questions asked what my first choice would be for fun on a Sunday afternoon. With no hesitation, the answer is go to the park with my grandkids. I always knew I liked it, but I was not previously aware that going to the park is my top choice. Of course my definition for parks is broad and includes beaches. Life and my personal history make a glimmer of sense when I look back at examples of contentment and hours upon hours spent in Pioneer Park, hanging out in the UM Oval, the Mendenhall Glacier, Edmonds Beach and the lake house dock (any dock is included!) and others along the way to 2010. Now that I realize how much going to the park means to me, I like it even more.

The job connection is a dimmer glimmer. Nannies take kids to the park, but I don't quite see myself as Mary Poppins unless she is outsourcing the park skill.

Looking forward to hearing from you! Love, Mary