The Waiting Game

 

This picture was taken through the window of my friend's room.  She is 103 years old - - - but very close to 104.  One of her CNAs takes care of the flower container so that there is always something blooming no matter what season.  The days can be long for her - - waiting for someone to visit - - - and as she has told me before, she is waiting to reunite with her husband in the presence of Jesus.  But it doesn't get morbid when we are together because we laugh a LOT - - over a meal of her favorite Broccoli Cheddar Soup from Panera and frozen chocolate yogurt from Perkits.

 

And as you can see, we are still waiting to move our daughter into her house.  The closing date was going to be earlier this week - - almost 2 weeks before scheduled.  Now we are hoping it will be at the end of this week.  Even though we have added more boxes to the pile, we have left a path to the door.  This is not all of them either.  They are to the right and to the left.  So until we know a date, we feel a little off-kilter!

It's okay.  Moving can be this way and we are fortunate there is not a timeline to 'have to' be somewhere.  It also gave us an opportunity to go a wedding yesterday - - - without being in the middle of hauling boxes in the heat!

So - - - until we have relocation pictures, please visit a blogger friend who lives up north and has done a great bathroom remodel over the summer.

http://dahlenje.blogspot.com/2011/07/big-reveal.html

I will be your God throughout your lifetime -- until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.  Isaiah 46:4

Moving

 

The person moving boxes out of our house into the home she is purchasing is our older daughter.  The boxes you see are just a fraction of what's packed.  (Don't worry about the bent box.  It arrived that way and is stuffed with newspapers so it won't collapse.)

 

My sister sent the new rake and shovel.  She bought them at the Lowe's in Augusta.  They called our Cleveland store and we picked them up here.  Isn't technology grand?!!

Our week of vacation was low-key and very restful.  We got over 8 hours of sleep each night.  That was pure luxury!  We cherished every minute because we knew that the next three weekends are going to be quite busy - - with happy activities.  We will take pictures and pray for time to tell you about it.

But at the quiet cabin in the mountains, our younger daughter is having interesting critter problems again. 

http://bearcatfeet.blogspot.com/

My daughters are the reason I started my blog - - - - to give them information and to read what they have been doing in their lives.  Plus, my sister and I can keep up with each other, too.   In addition, my readers will agree that many of us have made new friends.  It turns out one of those new friends, Patsy, and I lived in the same neighborhood in Rhode Island fifty years ago!  She moved away from there two years before my family arrived.  From the sounds of it,  our houses would have been quite close to each other!  I just love the way God brings lives back together - - even if you didn't know each other a 'long time ago'.

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly : and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.  Proverbs 18:24

July 3, 2011

If you want a great fellowship and delicious meal, go to a Baptist church in the country.  That’s where we were on Sunday night.  Our son-in-law’s parents are members at

As you can see, the area is beautiful and peaceful.  The people are super sweet and know how to provide some delicious food.

 Last night was not a good point night for Weight Watchers but I knew it would not be.  The chocolate brownies were worth the overage as were the grilled hot dogs.  However, I did not eat any bread and had a lot of raw vegetables and fruit.  Notice I am not mentioning the potato chips or the onion dip.  Anyway, I am back on the WW Wagon today.  My six pound weight loss is an encouragement to keep on with the plan.

Speaking of food, if anyone has extra time on their hands, look at this watermelon fun!

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Taste-of-Home-Magazine/Watermelon-Fun

Supper followed an outdoor worship service.  A men’s quartet sang after dinner - - almost until dark - - - at which time they shot off the fireworks!

We had a very, very enjoyable evening with our daughter, her husband, and his family!  My husband even dressed in a patriotic manner for the event!

If the Son therefore shall make you free , ye shall be free indeed.John 8:36

Stay-cation

 

We are home for vacation and enjoying it!  Sleeping late - - relaxing - - eating well.  Not going out in the heat unless we want to - - - - and working on projects when we want to!  It's truly delightful.

 

Also, we have been shopping - - - a pressure washer for my husband to make life easier while taking care of our home. 

 He has cleaned the gutters this morning and likes the performance of this machine.  It is supposed to be quieter than most.  We are glad we haven't heard the noisy ones!

 

We have also bought a few necessary things (vacuum cleaner, microwave) for our older daughter's new home.  She will need these within three weeks.  Sears was our one-stop shopping for most of it.  They are having GREAT sales this weekend.

 

 Yes, these flowers are blooming in our backyard.

 

And if you are wondering what to celebrate this month other than Independence Day, check out this link.

http://www.gone-ta-pott.com/julycalendar.html

And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. John 6:3 

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