Be Strong

Joshua 1:9

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage;
 do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, 
for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Can't you even imagine walking along this bridge
without sides?

Parabens, Dulce Maria

Happy Birthday sweet sister.

My paternal grandmother, Ursula Adelaide Felix,
was a school teacher, born in Massachusetts
in December of 1900.
I suspect she had a hand in naming
both my sister, Dulce and brother, Ilidio.

Dulce's name originated in Don Quixote.

Dulcinea (dool-see-NAY-ah) was a name created by
Cervantes's "Don Quixote" for his idealized lady.
Dulce is the sweet obedient sibling. 

Happy Birthday.

Heart Season

Use what talents you possess;
The woods would be very silent
if no birds sang there except those
that sang the best.

                                  Henry Van Dyke

Penny's All American, Pismo Beach, California

I've lost my voice so there will be no more
singing or talking for a bit.  It's okay feast
with your eyes.
 

The Portuguese Riviera, Pismo Beach

In the village were I was born and the town were I grew up,
Portuguese men would gather in the public square.

A  bit of gossip, football (soccer) talk, and
work drama. camaraderie, an opportunity to hear your
language spoken.  It was lovely to see a group
of men gathered as we walked along the Pismo
Beach pier. 

The breaking of the waves, the smell of the ocean,
and the sound of seagulls.  All familiar comforts.

Mr. Lee and I suffer loads of criticism
for doing everything with our kids.  What will
you ever do once the kids are grown and gone?

Here's the thing, we all ready have two grown
children, and our children are still our greatest joy.
Mr. Lee and I are best friends so not to worry
we have plenty to talk about and even MORE
in common.

My mother, she was so wise, used to say
the best part of life is when your children
are small but you don't realize it until they are
grown.

My parents, like us, had two sets of children,
With 12 years between the first set of 3 and the last
set of 2.  Eighteen years between the oldest and the youngest.
Yes indeed my parents were brilliant.

Thoughts on the Faithful

My officiant hat goes on this Friday.
My skin goes all goosebumpy with
the thought.  There is nothing so
right as feeling as if you belong.

Jessica and Todd, trusted me first.
They gave me a gift for which I will
always be thankful. 

Jessica and Todd,  just celebrated their 5 wedding anniversary.

Along with my other favorite vocations
being a mom,wife, friend, student and homemaker,
presiding over services is right up there.
The entire process is full-feeling.  What
greater honor could anyone bestow than
to invite participation in one of the most
important days of their lives?

My oldest brother, Ilidio; his daughter, Michele and the officiant.

The richness of satisfaction 
for answering the call is amazing. Inspired to help couples
prepare vows.  Supporting families in honoring their departed
loved ones. Every service is unique.
Each like a snowflake. 

My favorite resource is the
Book of Common Prayer, discovered
through Father Tim, the fictional
Episcopal priest of Jan Karon's
Mitford Series. Raised Roman Catholic,
the Bible is my primary source of inspiration,
but being introduced to the Book of
Common Prayer simply opened my heart
to possibilities.

I used to play Barbies with this beauty.

Young, powerful love, full of promise.  Matt and Kirstie

Matt and Kirstie selected a traditional Catholic-type ceremony.
Both come from nuclear families with
each set of parents married
over 30 years and grandparents on both sides married over 50 years. 

Kirstie wanted to use the same vows her parents
had used all those years ago.

My gender dictated the impossibility of Catholic
priesthood.  Still,I love Pope Francis, not
so much his predecessor, the pomp
and circumstance of Mass, the saints
(yeah, I know even the converts don't
understand), the mediation of the Rosary,
an most importantly it was the way I was introduced
to Christ.

I came to Christ through baptism as
a baby but invited Christ into my own heart
as an 8th grader preparing for Confirmation.
My Catholic Youth Organization (CYO)
counselor told me, "Jesus is a gentleman, he
will knock but will not come in unless He is invited in."

It Takes Courage

It takes courage to give up and become 
who you truly are.
                                                   e.e. cummings

Isn't that the truth?  Still working on it dear readers.

What Does a Hat Say?

⁷ When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh
 even his enemies to be at peace with him.
                                                      Proverbs 16:7
  
This was supposed to be a philoshpical post 
but I digress to fashion.  

This hat is reminiscent of Uncle Joe.

My father's generation wore hats.
Even his work clothes were ironed.
The reason I still watch and love
I Love Lucy may be attributed, in part,  to the 
clothes of the era.  How people dressed 
to go out. There was care and attention to detail.

I distrust the pajama pant wearing 
style of late. The sag with underwearing showing
seemed bad enough.  Honestly, I don't want to see 
anyone's underpants or pajamas used as a fashion statement. 
The look screams I don't care about myself or what anyone thinks.

Hopefully the pajama look hasn't spread beyond 
Southern California.   

Magic All Around

My God will meet all your needs
according to His glorious riches
in Christ Jesus.

                                        Philppians 4:19

My mother used to say how wonderful
it was that I stayed a little girl for so long.
True, I had many of  the responsibilities of
adulthood early on but my wonder never
ceded.

Just discovered Google translate with sound.
Plugged my given name in Eugenia and listened
to it in Portuguese (my language), Dutch (Mr. Lee),
Greek (the origin of my name), Romanian, etc.

Try it out with your own name.  My name sounds
the same in Portuguese, Dutch and Romania.

Glee.

Have a wonderful day my dear readers.  

A Day with the GetAlong Gang

People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be. .
                                                          Abraham Lincoln

I recall an event were a subordinate said,
 "You just wait until life smacks you
and you won't smile so much."

My response was, "I choose joy."

What she didn't know was my mother was dying.
Four years after my mother's passing and for the rest of my
life I will choose JOY.

A day in the life of the GetAlong is the joy of my
life.  Being with family and friends.  Visiting
like minded, creative people and places. Eating
wonderful food and drinking tasty coffee.

Our day started at IKEA, a lovely walk in and out
of living space vignettes.

Next stop Lucky Street Productions, Oceanside, California.

Always spectacular

I loved these.  Miss Holly not so much. 

Disco shimmer

If I am not mistaken, Uncle Joe had a similar engine, only it was all metal.

Onto a new store, LIVE also in Oceanside.

He is precious.

House Vintage, Solana Beach

A little gaming is allowed to keep the boy interested.

House Vintage, adorable inside and in the garden

Across the street more gardens  Cedros Gardens

Miss Holly picks a scented dianthus

Single petal rose blooming in January

Our VERY favorite scrapbook store ever:
Paper Tales, San Diego
I dream of my dollhouse tiny kitchen
with this pink stove
in it.























Independent, likes to pay for her selections on her own.

Look what you can do with scrap paper.

That's me in the white top and my friend, Ana, in the front.

Swoon,   the banner above me is perfect for Holly's
annual birthday bash.
This year she selected a Hawaiian theme.
Imagine the banner in bright colors like hot pink,
orange, purple and green.  Inspiration all around. 

Finally dinner, we are famished,
a lively talk to keep Mr. Lee awake on the 2 hour trek home.
Oh yes, choose JOY every time. 

Uncle Joe Could Live Here

Uncle Joe is an official member of the Getalong Gang.

I don't recall a time without him.

He often joins us on our Road Trip adventures.

Ditched the little sister so much happier.

When he is not reading, he may murmur,
"I could live here."
There used to be more conviction in his voice but
it has become a running gag.

Our mother left me some amazing photos.

Little voices can often be heard,
even if Uncle Joe hasn't joined us,
joining in with sweet sincerity,
"Uncle Joe could live here."

Ah the 80s.

Uncle Joe, has always been the caboose.
The last one in the car with shoes and socks
still in hand.  
We literally drag him with us, but
always there is great fun.

BTW, on our last trip to Visalia, we
spied a great mobile home park.
Yes, Uncle Joe could live there.

Happy Birthday and many more.