Uh-Oh & Uh–huh!!

Mother Nature has been doing some pruning.  We have had VERY HIGH winds with rain again this week.  These pictures won't give the impact that you see standing by them.  We had a very large limb fall and break the top half of a Magnolia Tree.

 

The limb came from near the top of this 75' tree beside our house.

Here is a close-up of the tree top.

 

The next picture is just to the right of the above tree.  This came from an obviously dead tree that was about 15 feet away from the first tree.  We are very blessed that both of these fell away from the house. 

 

We generally have lots of limbs and branches so they get piled up and eventually burned.  This pile has been building for at least a couple of months.  It doesn't contain any of the stuff from above.  (Neighbor's house in distance.) 

It was not being cooperative in catching a flame.  Bill worked and worked on it until it became a matter of principle that he would make it ignite.  The (male) neighbor said, "Pour a little gasoline on it.  That will get it going."  Bill told him, "Lynda doesn't like it when I do that so I can't."  Smart man!!!

 

Perseverance is beginning to pay off.

 

And then it started raining!

 

And in other news, our first-born has been looking at houses to buy.  Here is the finalist.  Now she waits on the bank, some corrections on the home inspection, etc.

 

 Another major item this month is that Weight Watchers and I are happy partners - - thus far.  I have averaged almost 2 pounds lost each week.  This is the end of my third week.   The beauty of the plan is you have 'extra points' to work with as well as activity points.  Those help balance the days when over-eating happens - - - - and it happened about 4 times the last two weeks when we were treated to some special meals made by some precious friends.!  For me to be able to lose weight is a major thing since I never really tried to slim down before.  If - - WHEN - - I reach my goal, I will have to buy new clothes!!!

And put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony  Proverbs 23:2    (This is definitely one for me to remember!)

I Cannot Tell a Lie

 

I cannot blame my weight on any medical issue unless we can count slower metabolism due to aging or "Hand & Mouth" Disease as valid reasons.  Everyone has a catalyst.  Mine was a pair of white slacks.  I looked for the ones that were 'more comfortable' and then remembered I gave them away because they looked big.  I said I would not be that size again.  However, the two remaining pair are not comfortable!

 

So I 'bit the bullet' and did something others have done over the years and found successful.  I joined - - - - - 

 I am doing the online version because I don't have time or want to obligate myself to a meeting.   They have a one week trial version but I signed up for a three month commitment.  The computer will be a good accountability partner.  Yesterday was my first day and was an eye opener when I started recording what I am eating.  I need to lose between 20 and 25 pounds - - - not because the scale says so but because I know how I feel and we have mirrors in this house.

In other news, last week was very busy for many, many people.  It was Vacation Bible School at our church.  If you are a Southern Baptist Church, more than likely you may be seeing some of the following images at your church.  The neat thing is the skyline in our sanctuary.  These pictures don't do it justice.  It was cut from foam-board and supported with wooden frames.   The lighting colors would change throughout the assembly time.  The shadowing with the lights was awesome.

 The following pictures were on the TV monitors throughout our building.

 

Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for?  I Corinthians 6:19a  The Message

Two Weekends

I know you can store just about anything in Rubbermaid but I don’t think that was the cat’s intention.  What is a cat's fascination with an empty container?

Last night we got to be with our daughter-in-law’s family.  They are so sweet.  They even cooked us supper.  Amanda's father-in-law is a mechanic and installed a new starter on Bill’s car.  (That's the old one below - - ready to go back to AutoZone for a trade-in credit.)  'R' has a garage equipped for engine repair on his property.

Our car – the one I drive during the week and the one we take on trips -  got an oil change.

Last Saturday, we went to Monroe, GA to visit some friends we have known for over 34 years.  They are a precious family, too.  I am so sorry I did not take any pictures because we had a great time with them.

On the way home, we stopped at the Ringgold, GA exit - - - one that was hit very hard by the tornado on April 27.  This is how it looked a month and three days later on May 28.  If you go back and look at video footage from April, you realize how much cleanup has been done.    Let’s just say it looks like construction crews still have some job security for a while.

Below is Hardee’s.  Twenty-seven and a half years ago, we lived in Trion, GA.  This was on our way to Chattanooga one Monday morning in November when it was time to deliver our second daughter.  My husband remembered how long he might be without food before the actual birth so we stopped here for his breakfast.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting .  Acts 2:2