Sidewalk Chalk Masterpiece | 101 in 1001

May 8, 2024 by GmasPhoto 10 Comments

Sidewalk Chalk Masterpiece | 101 in 1001

Hi, I’m so excited for this wonderful time with my daughter and grand daughter. We had planned to meeting up at my folks house today. Beautiful day outside. Erika brought some sidewalk chalk. It just happened that I was able to mark off #9 from my 101 in 1001 goal list.

Erika had Brynlee lay on the driveway and she drew around her, making an outline.

sidewalk chalk masterpiece — Making an outline of Brynlee.

Brynlee then drew my shadow’s outline. The image of me standing with arms up and out with the shadow, Brnlee took the picture. After drawing other art, I had Brnlee stand where I was standing with her shadow over my shadow’s outline. Couldn’t get her to understand the sun shifted. 🙂

The two horizontal images, Brynlee wanted us to draw rabbits. Top right, Erika’s art, bottom left mine is the face outline and Brynlee’s is above the flowers.

sidewalk chalk art — Fun creating sidewalk chalk masterpieces!

Memories made!

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra

Wamego Tulip Festival | 101 in 1001

April 24, 2024 by GmasPhoto 3 Comments

Wamego Tulip Festival | 101 in 1001

Hi, I am so excited. Two of my 101 in 1001 I can mark completed, #21 and #44.

#21 Drive to Wamego for the Tulip Festival.

Saturday, April 13, 2024 after my Weight Watchers meeting I met up with Linda and we drove to the tulip festival.

linda and deb — On our way to the Wamego Tulip Festival!

Meeting people is fun. While visiting Wamego, Jim was the person who greeted us as we went into the ‘Old Town’ area. He was in front of the communication building featuring the telephones. To see images of the antique telephones and other festival images, click here.

Ten years ago, there were just a few vendors, mainly informational. This year it was packed, vendors, food vendors and visitors! The main entrance took you thru the food court. Many different foods to pick. We arrived right at lunch time. For lunch we went to the tent where the Knights of Columbus grilled hamburgers, right side in picture. And on the way out we went to the Stumpy’s Smoked Cheese food truck on the left in the image. Oh my, the Mac and Cheese with bacon was delicious!

food trucks — #44, 101 in 1001. Eat at a food truck!

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra

Topeka, KS Capitol | 101 in 1001

April 8, 2024 by GmasPhoto 5 Comments

Topeka, KS Capitol | 101 in 1001

Hi, I had the fun experience while running an errand for my son. This errand took me to Topeka, KS. This city holds a special spot in my heart. First and foremost this is where my daughter and her family call home. Topeka is a city of history as well. #15 of my 101 in 1001 can be checked off!

While in Topeka I decided to visit the state capitol. The dome was my interest on this trip. For many years the dome was a lime green color. After the restoration, the dome is a dark brown. I wanted to get up close and see the changes.

This is how I remember it looking.

This is how it looks now.

Notable Kansans

Charles Curtis

Dwight D. Eisenhower

The images of Notable Kansans and of First Peoples were hanging on stone walls.

Briella, Brynlee and I were successful in climbing all 296 steps to the top of the dome!

To see images of us while climbing the steps to the dome and other pictures, click Kansas Capitol Gallery
We discovered after this climb, Brynlee is afraid of heights. Regardless, she was a trooper!

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra

Coincidence or Divine Intervention?

January 14, 2024 by GmasPhoto Leave a comment

Is it coincidence or divine intervention?

Hi, on Sunday I made good on finding a good Bible based church and Bible study. This is my #50 of my 101 in 1001 goals. I personally do not believe in coincidences. Let me explain why.

During my cancer journey, so many coincidences happened at just the right time. Coincidence 1: Commercial construction had slowed down. Kevin had been laid off from work. He had just returned to work and three weeks later I was diagnosed with cancer.

Coincidence 2: With the lack of work prior, Kevin did not have his 700 hours in to qualify for his insurance premiums to be paid. We had to pay the premium out of pocket for 2 months, still less than the chemo I was getting each month. There was plenty of overtime work for Kevin to reach the 700 hours.

Our family went thru a dark time. It was during this time more coincidences happened. Our son was self medicating. The doctor said it was not a concern of being addicted to ‘drugs’ rather a mental issue.

Coincidence 3: Adam had the same therapist and case manager for 2 years (our darkest). Since then, he has had new therapists about every 6 months. Same with the case managers.

The featured image above was taken at the church I went to this past week. Part of my #50 of my 101 in 1001, attend Bible study. A new church for me. When I walked in, I actually knew several of the members. I felt immediately welcomed, like I was meant to be there.

These were the biggest coincidences with so many more that I have experienced. Too many to ‘not’ believe in God.

For this reason, I say I experienced divine intervention.

WW Update:
Since Start Date; -27.2 lbs

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra

The Empty Basket

December 11, 2023 by GmasPhoto 8 Comments

The Empty Basket

Hi, this weekend I began my Christmas shopping. Rather I needed to replace an earring I had lost and did not want the piercing to close. My earring go-to store is Claire’s. While in the store, Claire’s had an item that was on both of my grand-girls Christmas gift list. This post is a story of what happened prior to me walking to the store. I parked in front, just a few parking spots down from the front door. As I was taking the keys from the ignition, I saw this pink basket like piece.

Next, there was a man walking down the sidewalk. My imagination perceived this man to be ‘homeless‘. The basket caught his attention as well. He ventured over to it to see what was inside. It looked like he picked something up from the basket. I couldn’t tell what it was. The man then went on his way. By this time the pink basket had really intrigued me more. Getting out of my car, I walked up to the basket and it was empty.

After seeing the contents of the basket was empty, I made my way into Claire’s. Bought my earring and a gift for each of the girls. The empty basket never left my thoughts. I Google’d, ‘is there a meaning to an empty basket‘ and found this link, The Miracle of the Empty Baskets.

Take what you like and leave the rest. However, I do believe our Good Lord shows us the way, bring people into our lives, as well as place us into other’s lives for a reason. We do not know this reason, but a reason never-the-less. By the way, my favorite color is pink……..

My interpretation of this empty basket has made my 101 in 1001 goal #64, Go with my husband more when he helps feed the homeless, all the more important.

WW Update:
Since Start Date; -28.6 lbs

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra

Give a Stranger a Smile | #40 101 in 1001

November 20, 2023 by GmasPhoto 10 Comments

Give a Stranger a Smile | #40 101 in 1001

Hi, Saturday I was brainstorming on what I would share with you today. It was while I was standing in line at Casey’s (a nice gas station with drinks and food) the 101 in 1001 idea came to mind. So I instantly knew what I would do for the day and share my experiences.

After pulling up to a pump to fill the car with gas, I went inside to pay. Never do I pay at the pump. There was two at the counter and then two ahead of me. #40 of my 101 in 1001 came to mind. So I said out loud to the two people in front of me that one of my 101 in 1001 is to give a smile to a stranger. One of the two was looking at me, I gave her a smile. The second person turned to look at me and I gave him a huge smile too. Both laughed and we engaged in more small talk that ended up being fun too. As the person paying at the counter was finished, he turned and gave me a huge smile. We all then laughed. It was a spontaneous moment that was a complete success, one I will remember.

WW Update:
Since Start Date; -29.5lbs

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra