HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I'm taking this time to say Happy New Year to you, and am wishing blessings on you all.  God has been good to us this past year, in spite of all the uncertainties of jobs etc.  We still don't have a job nailed down, but we are continuing to hope and look forward to 2017 and the blessings that the Lord will bestow on us.  Two jobs are pending for Sam, and we once again are "waiting".  One of my friends said, "Life is a waiting room", and she certainly is right about that.  Our favorite verse is
Isaiah 40: 28-31,  some versions say "they that WAIT on the Lord", and the NIV says "they that
HOPE on the Lord".  I HATE to wait, but I certainly can and do HOPE on Him.  So, that's my
prayer for the New Year, my Hope is for Sam to have a job that will sustain us until he is able to
retire.  He has no insurance right now, it's way too expensive, and no sick leave (we are having a
payless week right now) and no vacation.  These blessings come with a new job, which we know the Lord will bless us with.  So, we pray all the blessings on you, the wishes of your heart.  We send you
all our love and look forward to what the year brings us all.  Love you,  Anna

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all our online friends.  We're looking forward to a New Year full of blessings for our family, and all of you.  Sam is waiting to hear about a new job, hopefully before
the new year.  We are trusting in God for all our needs.  It's been quite an unusual year.  Thanks to
all of you who passed through our lives this year.  God bless you!!!

Election Day 2016

I voted, but more than that, I've been praying.  I believe we are in God's hands and that whoever wins, will  be a part of His plan for our future.  I am praying for the people of our country, that we respect each other and don't take out our frustrations on each other.  God Bless the USA!!!

Happy 68th to Meself

Birthdays are now just another day to me.  Yes, it's nice to have my loved ones acknowledge my existence and to show their love, but as to the age, it's irrelevant.  My brain is still 20, with a little added wisdom.  The body certainly is NOT 20, and constantly reminds me of the fact.  Life is on a high speed, whizzing by and most of me can't possibly keep up with it.  So, I'm acknowledging that I'm 68, and moving onward and hopefully upward.  I never know what tomorrow holds, but I am sure who holds tomorrow.  God gives me peace, which is all I can ask for.  Nothing is guaranteed and having peace is important to my sanity.  I choose to love and help all I can.  I believe that the only thing that counts after we are gone, is how we treated people, and the love path we leave behind  us.  Our human contacts/friends/family are all that are left of us once our spirits have moved on.  How we loved, and treated others is our legacy.  I realized that when everything my Dad and Mom had worked for was in a check in my hand.  After 60 years, that was it.  All material things had been liquidated to $$$.  Our memories of them keep them alive in our hearts and minds.  That is how I want it to be with my family and friends.  So, 68 seems old from one point of view, but when I see that I could easily live to at least 90, I have a long way to go.  Whichever is fine with me. My eternity is secure, thanks to our Lord.  So, thank you all for your birthday wishes and love.  They mean a lot to me as do all of you.  Hopefully, I will be an honor to our Lord, and when I meet him I will hear, "well done good and faithful servant".  What more could one ask for?  God bless you all!!!

Well, it's Sunday the 23rd and I made it here safely.  I couldn't have asked for a better flight, but I did ask the Lord for one.  The trip from home to BWI started at 5am...argh!!! When we got to the airport it seemed really full, but they now have a lot of computers where we checked ourselves in.  It even gave us baggage tags.  We went straight to the check in from there.  Security looked really bad, but I had a special boarding.  That line was enormous, but went very fast.  I like that because no clothing is removed, no shoes off, and I don't have to open my carry on.  Because of my replacement joints, I do go through the scanner and they do a quickie pat down, really quick!!!!  On to the gate.  That part was not so good as it was the very last gate, so there was a lot of walking.  I just took the people mover and stopped when I felt tired.  I had plenty of time to get water and reading materials, and still had an hour till boarding.  I drew a really low number so I was able to get a window in only row 5, which I liked.  I had a SMALL quiet and nice woman next to me, which allowed a little more space.  The flight was about 3 hours to Kansas City.  All went well and I even got in a nap.  It was hard being there and not seeing the kids.  I only had an hour lay over so it wasn't worth bringing them there and only getting a hug.  Besides, Jordan and Chelsea will be home at Christmas.

So, on from Kansas City to Portland, Or. airport.  It was 3 hours and 35 min. and I got another nap.  The plane was AWESOME.  It was brand new, had extra knee space, beautiful blue seats that were comfy with head rests that actually worked.  There was a screaming kid in the rear, but he eventually settled down.  We had the center seat empty and a nice lady on the aisle who talked just enough to be friendly.  She even got me my snack when I was napping.  Had to cut out the second ginger ale, don't like plane potties!!!!  As always, the walk from the gate to baggage is way long, but there were many people movers that I took advantage of.  A quick potty break to refresh, and I saw Reenie and Paul!!! The girls were both busy and for the first time ever, couldn't come to get me.  These things happen with young ladies.  We stopped to get me my food supplies so I can stay on a basic routine and not mess up my weight loss.  Burgerville here is an organic burger shop with the BEST burgers on earth.  And sweet potato fries!!!  Nothing tastes better than a burger when one is STARVING!!!!  On to the farm and the doggies, and cats.  It is becoming my second home and always feels so good to be back.  I was beyond exhausted but I was able to stay up until the girls got home.  Always so good to see those faces again.  Even though they are young women now and every trip they have matured so much.

So, today is Sunday and I opted to hang at the house while the girls went on to their tasks and Reenie and Paul are doing some food shopping.  It's a bit cloudy now, even though yesterday and this morning were GORGEOUS and sunny. Not typical of here this time of the year.  I woke at 7 am (10 am home time) and the sun wasn't up.  I got a bit confused thinking maybe my phone clock hadn't moved.  I texted my friend at home and checked it.  I'm never up this early so I didn't really know what time the sun comes up.  The chickens were still in the coop, so no rooster to wake me, but here I was, bright eyed and awake while everyone else was snoring. So I managed to creep downstairs and get a hot cup of tea to drink while I watched the sun come up over the pond.  I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!  I had two gorgeous shepherds to greet me also.  So far, things are great and my cold has
settled to loose coughing that is clearing things out.  I feel normal again, and even have some energy back.  Thank God for helping me to make it here, and for all my friends who prayed me along.
I'll report again in a few days.  For now, I'm going outside to enjoy the peace and visit the critters.  I haven't met the new lady duck so that must happen.  Later!!!

Grand Cats

These two beauties are waiting for me to come love them on Saturday.  I went to the doctor this morning and she said I have pneumonia.  I'm really not THAT sick, although it is annoying.  So much work to do before the trip.  Looking at these sweeties gives me incentive.  I just don't have much energy and soooo much to do.

Hello Fall!!

Well, once again I have ignored this site.  Getting on Facebook has opened new doors to me and I tend to use my time there and e-mail.  Not on very often so this site gets ignored.  But this is just a check in.

The weather has now cooled, a strange 80 today though.  I have a miserable chest and head cold.  This is the first time in YEARS!!!  Usually my vitamins get me through.  I heard that it's all over
at Sam's work, etc.  The only reason it's a problem is that I'm flying to Reenie's on Saturday.  Being in a plane isn't the problem, it's all the walking I'll have to do, and I'm really not very strong right now.  But, it was May when I last saw them.  I cut the 3 times a year down to 2 when we were in recovery from Sam not having a job.  I'm really anxious to see them.

Sam is still at BAE on contract till Feb. but an inside friend told him to get his resume updated, which he did.  He was to submit it on the 1st, but he overheard a conversation alerting him to the date to be nearer.  So, he contacted his friend, went straight to the hiring boss and had an interview.  He still does not have anything and is in waiting, as usual.  We all know that "life is a waiting room".  So,
the two bosses who make this decision will be the ones to keep him.  He never did get that design class we had hoped for.  This position could have training with it.  So, we are once again"waiting on the Lord", or as the NIV says, "Hoping on the Lord".  I like that better as I don't do waiting very well.  We are hoping to hear this week so we can once again (after almost 2 years) get on with our lives.  I'm too old for this!!!

I still haven't painted.  I know!!!  I worked on the studio over the summer but when I finally got to winterizing it (I started early) I realized that the windows and the big swinging doors were in very bad shape.  So, me and my ADD got the paint out.  It was quite a job, but I conquered it.  I never got to the outside, which I may still do till the weather is too cold.  Last Saturday I finished the plastic on the doors, which was step 3 in the process.  I had done the other door and window earlier.  Having all this painting, the interior furniture, etc. was all moved and now it's a mess again.  And, I'm working on a ceramic nativity set for a friend, and it has that paper grass inside the boxes, which is all over.  And, now the bugs are in again, which means another bombing.  I won't live with those huge spiders...no, no, no!!!!  Since I'm going West on Saturday for 2 weeks, it will have to wait till I return.  I also have to make an insulated curtain for the doorway inside to the "unheated" half of the building.  I also put plastic over that opening.  Other than that, it will be ready to roll.  I will be painting with Ann while I'm in Wash. also.  Looking forward to that a lot!!!  Even though it means hauling all my supplies out there, I don't mind.  It's worth it!!!  Hoping I'll have at least one painting to post when I get home.  It probably will be for sale also.

We lost our Hoots cat some time back.  I may have posted that???  Remi has become more loving to me, but he's still Sam's cat. I  don't want to ruin that.  Sam is a dog man and he has never taken to a cat before.  This guy has won his heart.  When I get home the plan is to get a kitten for me.  I've asked the Lord to send me a homeless one, but none has come.  I've gotten many amazing cats that way.  They chose me.  So, when the time comes, that's what I'll do, let them chose me.  I'm really excited about it.  It took me a while till I was ready, but now I can't wait.  I haven't had a kitten to deal with in many years. I think the last one was when Jordan was 3 and we got his Baggy Buddy cat.  That's 25 years ago.  But it's worth it once I'm through the kitten stage.

My gardens were weed beds this summer.  I really need to get mulch down on them.  I never had enough good "back" days to do it all.  I maintained the others, watered etc. but the main ones were just overrun with weeds.  Now it's time to cut them off, pull them out and once again, my back has to cooperate.  I see a neuro-surgeon when I return.  I have many bad discs pinching nerves and we have to track them.  Fun times ahead.  I'll do whatever to get back to some sort of normal activity.  I'm still too young to be this immobile.

Joined the Well Span Weight Management group about 8 weeks ago.  I get weighed today, but up till now it's 7 lbs. and I've increased my food by 5 times.  My brain just doesn't get that!  I had a bad week this past one with being sick.  I just didn't eat anything.  Hoping it doesn't mess me up too badly.  I don't want to lose a lot, just to get where I can have energy again, and look decent in clothing.

Ok, bye for now.  I'll try to not wait so long till the next post.  It's been fun meeting with you again...

HELLO AGAIN!!!

It's been a long while since I've posted anything, or even visited my own blog.  Many things have changed, one of them was the fact that my computer passed away.  RIP...I panicked for a bit thinking
I had lost all of my photos etc.  But my brilliant hubby and son were able to retrieve them for me.
It has been so long that I even needed help to access my blog.

Summer is intense, and getting all of the outside clean up done has almost killed me with pain.  I'm
realizing that I'm certainly not 20 anymore, far from it!!!  Having to pace myself to get a garden
weeded is sad, but worth the efforts when those beauties pop open.  I went simple this year with only
a few additions to add consistent color.  I'll post photos later.

Sam learned that his job contract is only good till February, but we are hoping and praying that it
will go further. He loves this job, and it's convenience to home. To add to his resume, he'll be taking
another design class, which will take him to Harrisburg for five evenings.  Costs a lot but we feel
it's a wise investment.  In the meantime, he's searching again.  We really hoped that part of things
was ended for a long while.  Life certainly isn't dependable!  Good thing God is. He always has our
backs (and our fronts, ha).

Today I sold my Caribou painting to a long time friend for her husband's birthday.  I'm always happy
to see one of my children go to a good new home.  It also inspires me to get to work on painting again.  The plan is to get my A/C in the studio today so I can start working on my studio in two days.
I have two projects that need to be completed before I can start painting, but that can be done in a
day.  I almost have it organized and ready to roll.  So many paintings in my head!!!

We have had a heat wave!  It doesn't sound bad to some of my friends who are experiencing over
100 degrees, but 90's for us is hot!  And PA. always has so much humidity that we are dripping!
It's to break tomorrow, thank God!!!   But it is SUMMER....and after the winter we had, it's a
great change.

So, I will be posting new photos when I get them back into my computer.  Missed all of you!!!

It's been way too long since I've written on here.  The family got me on Facebook and that's all she wrote.  It's been a very hot and busy summer, and working outside takes all my time.  For those of you on Facebook, I'm on as Anna Garver Kopp Reynolds, friend me???

I finally got my studio cleaned and ready to roll.  I sold a painting, which encouraged me, and have two ordered.  I usually don't do them on order, but these were special "trade" paintings with friends.
Hoping to post them when I'm done with them.  I have several ideas for others also. One will be a
2 ft. x 4 ft. Great Blue Heron.  I just have to get the board cut and prepped for it.  I'm really looking forward to doing that one in oils, using a freer style than I usually do.

Have to run for now.  Will be back to write more later.

Sam's New Job!!

After all the whining I did for the past months, I actually forgot to post that Sam got a job!!!  Yayyyy!!!   He's working on contract with an employment agency as a design engineer at BAE Systems. At the end of 6 months they hopefully will hire him on.  The plant is a 8 min. drive from
our house with only one stop light.  He started March 8th and I don't think I've been on since than,
other than the last post which I did today.  He works four 9 hour days and then has one 8 hour day
which then gives him every other Friday off.  That's really nice, especially since golf is starting.
It was a long 11 months, but the Lord saw us through it.  We managed to keep afloat, even though
we can't explain how.  That's how we know the Lord had us!  So, now we are playing catch up,
that may take a while, but it's sure better than no income.  Just wanted to say thank you to all our
friends and family who saw us through it all.  God bless you!!!

SPRING IS HERE!!!!

Finally it's nice enough to venture back on the porch.  We haven't done our major Spring porch cleaning, loaned out the pressure washer and we are just waiting for it to come home.  There are two rockers out there, and all the winter trash/dirt is gone so it's livable.  I love to do my coffee and devotions on the back porch.  This morning it was 50 but way to chilly to go out.  I did get two good
days in though on Monday and Tuesday.  I have been off of here since the New Year and FACEBOOK.  It's really not what I expected it to be. Yes, I did it for the kids and guess who's
not on there???  You got it, the Kids!!!  And the Grand kids have their own things they do.  So, I
have a check- in daily to see birthdays and if any of my old friends have surfaced.  I plan to do more of this and less of that.  I also enjoy Pinterest way more than it also.  So, I've tried it, and I'm on it,
but it's not going to be my priority for social media.

The trip is approaching soon.  We were able to get decent, affordable tickets for me to see my kids.
I'll go to Jordan and Chelsea early in May, and then fly on to Reenie and Paul for the rest of the two
weeks.  Sam and I had been together for almost two years before he started his new job.  He is really
enjoying it, and having every other Friday off is going to give him extra golf days.  So, he won't even
know I'm gone.  That is one busy man!!!  I am looking forward to doing some antiquing with the kids in Kansas City, and to have time to sit by the pond in Battleground Washington.  There are cows there now.  Actually, a momma cow and her bull calf.  And new layer chicks also.  The three pigs have moved in there for a while, so there are many critters to enjoy.  I'm counting the "sleeps" till I go.  I wish there was another way other than flying.  I'm not scared of it, it's just getting harder physically for me.  This trip will be split in half, so I won't be on the long flights that I usually have to endure.

Well, I have to get to the laundry and dishes.  I spent the morning doing paper work and I need to move about a bit.  Old age brings all the stiffness with it.  Later!!!  Hope to post some photos.

Still Snowed In!!!

Our friend is plowing us out and we asked that he come only after his priorities are done.  Many have to get their businesses open etc.  He did get here but the traffic was too heavy for him to start our drive.  A few photos from today.  Not much change. In fact, these are from our city, York.  They have a major issue in there is no place to go with it all.  It will have to be trucked out, which takes forever.  Here are some photos from our friends.

SNOW SNOW SNOW!!!!

I have to post this event!  It's history for sure.  Now officially the deepest snow in our area ever...we measured about 31 in. in the (undrifted) part of our yard.  The rest of it is over 3 feet for sure.
Here are some photos of our adventure.  Will do more when I can get out of the house further.
Kinda trapped right now.

 This was on Saturday, it was still snowing and it measured 21 in. at that point...notice cars in rear. The Santa hat was because he couldn't find any of his stocking hats.

 We have a convertible and Sam cleaned off the snow on the roof and window, but you'll see further down that it didn't last long.

 Our house looks so neat in the snow..notice the tracks in the driveway, today we can't walk in it. Too deep. That big bush is a holly and I have many birds in it, using the feeders hanging on the porch. We are enjoying our Bird TV.

This was Saturday when we could still see our neighbors..most of the day we couldn't see anything. Winds and the thickness of the snow caused a white out.

  Ok, it's Sunday now and this is what we woke up to.  I think it stopped about 9 pm last night, but it was blowing a lot.  We have two cars under there somewhere, but we can't walk in it to get over there to clean them off.  Hoping the roof holds up.

 I put the chairs backwards with pads and towels for the stray cats to use, but as you can see, they didn't survive the snow.  Not sure how it got in there...wind???  everything was covered.

 This is our front porch where the steps go down.  That drift was about 2 ft., on the porch. I did manage to get it pushed off to the side, and Sam dug out the steps.

 In the front yard it's past his knees.  In the back yard it's butt high.  Very hard to walk in it. Sam is 6' 4" tall, so that helps to see how deep it is.

 I managed to get down to the yard just to measure on my legs.  It seemed a lot deeper than it looked.  This filled my boots with snow, so I went inside.  Too old for this!!!

 This is the extent of our shoveling.  This took forever and killed us.  It was over 3 ft. deep there.  You can see it behind Sam.  That's not from thrown snow, it was that deep.

 One of the many beauties of this snow.  Our holly bush is covered with berries. Today there was a
cardinal sitting in it.  Where is my camera when I need it?

 This front porch snow was 2 ft. at least.  Didn't quite get my furniture put away.  Procrastination!!

 Chip donned his Eskimo coat to clean snow...hey Chip!!!

 Using his small blower, Chip worked on his front yard.  You can see some of the depth there.  Ours was about the same, but more drifting.  They had 5 ft. drifts in their back yard.

My D-in-law had her birthday yesterday. Chip dug out the grill so he could make her steaks.  How sweet!!!

So, that's a little bit of our fun in photos.  When I can get out a little, I'll have more. We're not to get
too much melting for a few days.  We are waiting for the plow to come and dig us out.  Until then, we are mainly trapped.  The road is really clear, but our long driveway isn't.  We're shoveling a little at a time to save our bad backs.  See you next Spring at this rate.  Both cats went out and sniffed and came right back in, fast!!!  They couldn't possibly walk in it.  More later...

I Took The Facebook Plunge!!!

I FINALLY GAVE IN....after being bugged, nagged, etc. for years I finally caved and went on
Facebook today.  I spent the entire day tracking down friends and ended with over 70 when I
just closed it out.  The main reason I did it was because I found several very special old friends
that I haven't heard of for over 40 years.  Most of them have responded and we have "caught up".
So much for being an individual and rebelling.  I'm sure I won't regret it!  Find me!

Message for Life and the New Year

Got this as my"Daily Verse" and it says so much.  Life is in God's hands and His time.  We move through life, thinking we have it in control, but find out that everything has a season.  Food for pondering and for medication and prayer.....

My Grandcat, Ez!!!

I just loved this photo my daughter posted, had to add it to my Blog....enjoy the lovely, Ez.....

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!

   I can be a typical old person and say "where did 2015 go" but I won't do it.  Most of it was spent
job hunting for Sam.  In fact, I could have conceived and delivered a baby in the time he's been out
of work.  We are hanging on by a thread, but we are hanging on by the Grace of God!!!  Promises
were made for two potential jobs "by the end of the year" and nothing has come of them.  Year end
budgets and all that fun stuff.  So, we continue to wait, and wait, and wait.  Not something I do well.

We had a really nice holiday with our family (what we have here) and friends. Christmas was spent with Chip and Erin and their girls, Meg and Libby.  We had a nice dinner and sharing time.  Sunday after Christmas, we spent with Sam's grand daughters and their foster families.  Hannah wasn't with us, but there were the foster siblings to fill up the house.  It was a nice time.  I find it harder each
year to make it to midnight on New Year's Eve.  This year, Sam's little band did our church service
party, so I had no choice but to stay awake.  It was nice being with new friends for the celebration.

Looking back on the year is always fun.  As a new one starts, it's only natural to ask, "what will it
bring?" but I'm trying not to think about it.  So many things happened last year, some of them good,
but most of them not so good, so I'm really not going to speculate on what's coming.  It's a bit too
frightening to do that.  I do know that I will be having my 50th class reunion in the summer.  That
is just mind-boggling.  I'm fortunate to keep in touch with a lot of my female classmates, so I look
forward to seeing the others that I haven't seen for 5 years.  Our biggest hope is a job for Sam, and
his home design business to flourish also.  We have decent health, in spite of the many annoying
things that come with old age.  Bodies rot, and mine is doing just that.  Part of the package, and most
would agree that old age isn't for sissies.  My mother would say that and I'd laugh at her.  Not laughing now Mom!!!

Our family is doing well. Our children are hard working, and are building successful businesses.
Grand daughters are growing up way too fast, but they are making us proud with all they do.  It is
exciting to watch them build lives and enjoy their gifts and talents.

Our fur kids are doing great.  Hoots cat is now 14 and is very thin, but he continues his daily walk
to the neighbor's house to mooch food, and he'll chase an occasional critter in the yard.  His gait is
slow, but he manages to continue to be "the head cat".  Our new guy, Remi is quite a sweetie.  He has
adopted Sam as his "human" and is very lovable.  He will be 2 in the spring so he's still a youngster.
Remi is getting very comfortable being a house cat, with his many daily walks into his domain, where he is quite the accomplished hunter.  These guys aren't close friends (Hoots decided that) but they do
well living together.

So, I wish you all the very best, and blessed New Year possible.  Thanks for joining me on my blog, and  I hope you will also e-mail me at annaurora5@gmail.com  anytime.  I'm not a facebook person, but I do enjoy my e-mail pals.  God bless you all....Anna