Summer Time!!!

 

School was out for the summer on May 23.  That means I am not babysitting everyday again until about July 28.  Benjamin is happy, too because he gets to spend more time with Mom and Dad.

I know this pic needs cropping - - but my pics are on a different photo program than before and sometimes it's not worth the time that day to learn something else.  It's a choice between posting or playing on the computer.

We are doing fine - - - just been super busy with this overgrown yard/woods of ours.  It will be drought weather soon and the growth will slow down.

I am careful about ticks (and of course poison ivy) when chopping stuff down.  I got tick-bit a few years ago and you may remember it caused a beef/pork allergy.  It's called Alpha-gal and can be life threatening if you're not careful.  When it's aggravated enough, an outbreak of hives is the result - - no fun at all.

Anyway - - - we eat more poultry because of it.   (Better for cholesterol anyway.)  One new product that we found and LOVE is the chicken items from Aidells.  Samples were given out one day at Publix.

http://www.aidells.com/our-way/aidells-story

We haven't tried their sausage yet but have been repeat customers on the chicken meatballs.   We tried them alone but they are more delicious in a sauce - - - like spaghetti.  If you ever see them on sale (or not), try them.

Till next time - - - and it should be sooner than the last post - - - - 

Also, I am on FB some days now - - search for Lynda W Harrington, Cleveland, TN 

Easter Links

I am on my husband's computer but life is getting normal again for us in the technology world.  We are going to share Bill's machine for a while because his computer has a huge capacity.  He is gone all day at work so that will help our schedule for sharing.  The budget thought this was the wisest decision at this time since we have some appliances and A/C unit that have lived a long life.  We are just being a bit cautious.

Here are some links you might enjoy.  The first is our church's worship service.  It is music and some narration.  Our 125 member choir is phenomenal.  Listen and see if you agree.  You can see it live at 5 or 6:30 tonight and then three different times on Easter Sunday morning.           http://live.clevelandfbc.com/

Here is something fun called Easter Bunny Rap.   http://i.flowgo.com/greetings/rapeasterbunny/rapeasterbunny.swf  Theresa posted it earlier.  You can find her at this link.  http://theycallmeganky.blogspot.com/2014/04/to-make-you-smile.html

Another blogger friend, Terri, posted a link to her co-worker, Gregory.   He is a "techie", photographer, and sculptor.  I met Terri last summer.  She and her husband, Joe, are great people and feel like old friends the first time you meet them.

http://tdorsaneo.blogspot.com/2014/04/while-we-wait.html

You can get Gregory's website from her blog or go to this link.  Those interested in PHOTOGRAPHY might want to see his suggestions on camera equipment.  He has contact information there for questions, too.

http://gregorymills.com/

 - - - - praying you all have a glorious celebration of our Resurrected Savior and Lord, Precious Jesus!!!!!

Bye, Bye Computer

My old computer has Windows XP which is an internet death sentence beginning tomorrow - - - - so I have been copying pictures and files to flash drives and deleting them from my hard drive as well as uninstalling programs.  I will completely unplug the computer later today.

We still have my husband's good computer but have gotten spoiled and used to having our own machines.  He talked with his IT guy and we know what we will be ordering for me.  That will be done in the next few days and then we will have to install some software before I am back to blogging again.  My thought is my visits to you will be sporadic again for a couple of weeks and probably no posting.

It won't be too abnormal of me but wanted you to know ahead of time.

Talk to you again soon my dear friends!

Spring Break was Fun

It has been a lovely week and as vacation weeks go - - - it went by way too quickly!  Kindermusik still met though so Benjamin's mom brought him into town so she could attend, too, and see how much he enjoys his class.  We took turns interacting with him. 

 

 Bill usually comes home every day at lunch because I cook for us.  However, after Kindermusik, we meet him at Captain D's near his work.  I do NO frying of food at home so this is a 'treat'.  Benjamin LOVES eating there - - - not just the fish and fries but really likes the cole slaw and steamed broccoli.

The next day I had some appointments in Chattanooga.  Bill went with me so we could have lunch at Cheddar's.  It was our first time eating there.  We enjoyed it and plan to make a return trip or few.

 On Friday, we went to Mercier Orchard with Amanda and Benjamin.    It is always fun to go there.  Merchandise is displayed in appealing ways so just walking through is a feast for the eyes.  Of course there are many, many food items to buy as well as a sandwich/dessert restaurant if you are hungry before you leave.  Pop Pop was great to wander the store with "The Boy" so Amanda and I could get the things on our list.

The tractor inside was new since last time we were there.  Benjamin alternated with being fascinated with the vehicles and talking about all the apples that were in baskets on both sides of him.  They are one of his favorite foods.

This was a display in progress.

Today we had lunch with our older daughter at Fuji Teriyaki Express.  It is located in the small plaza across from Cooke's Grocery Store.   We had been told it's delicious and also economical and those reports are correct.  It's very clean  with themed decorations.  Once again, this was another first visit to a restaurant with plans for return visits.

With all that eating, exercise is definitely needed and Dolly is more than thrilled to lead the way.  Do you like the color we picked for her collar and leash?  I wanted something that a "girl" could pull off for fashion but didn't want it to be too feminine since Bill walks her at least half the time.

Enjoy your week.  Most likely it will be at least next weekend before I can write again.

Puppy Love

When you've been married for 37 years, do you still call it puppy love?  Some call puppy love shallow and temporary - - but it also carries the connotation of adoring, worshipful admiration given by a young dog to its owners.  Bill and I still adore each other but also have seen many stages of love and we think where we are at now is wonderful.  We appreciate each other more and recognize that you have to be thankful for each day God gives you together.

 

If you're fortunate, God gives you additional blessings and allows you to live nearby so you can see them often.

These pictures were taken in the fellowship hall of the church where Amanda and Joshua and Benjamin are members.  Josh is the youth pastor there.  That is in addition to his full-time job during the week.  This was a fund-raising luncheon on Valentine's weekend.  It was a lot of fun.  Their church is very welcoming and loving.

 

However there is a new dog in our lives.  Her name is Dolly.  She was a stray who was not claimed or reported.   Dolly is one of the best-behaved and gentle canines we have ever owned or know.  She is great with the grandson, too.  Our vet acts like we won the dog lottery when we got her!

 This critter LOVES to ride in the car and does NOT understand why she can't go every time we go.  The one ride she knows is hers though is in the morning when I go to get Benjamin from Monday - Friday.  Since we are coming right back home, she is able to take the trip downtown, too.  You will probably see more pictures of her in the future!

Spelled WRONG!!

I can't believe I spelled the name of the restaurant wrong!!!   It is Ocoee Dam Deli - - - - like structures that hold back water - - - because it is located by the TVA Dam #1 in Ocoee.

All the sandwiches are named for different dams around the United States.  I am so embarrassed for my mistake - - - because it misrepresented them - - - and because I rarely spell anything wrong.  I have fixed the previous post.

http://www.ocoeedamdeli.com/#&panel1-1 

Old(er) People

You are about to see some "old news"  The first two were taken January 4 at Amanda & Joshua's home.  We were there to celebrate a couple of birthdays.  Mine was one of them.

 

The other one was for Josh's grandmother who turned 79.  The family surprised her by inviting all her siblings to attend.  (When the cake is turned 180 degrees, the ages are correct!)  This is just one of three celebrations.  Some of my friends gave me a yummy nacho party with some really unique gifts.    Our family also had dinner at Ocoee Dam Deli on the actual date.

 

Last September, Bill had a milestone birthday.  He turned sixty!  He keeps trying to catch up to me but hasn't yet.  The Sunday before his date, we were volunteering in the church library.  Friends came in to give him cards and wish him Happy Birthday.  Amanda brought Benjamin to visit us for a surprise.  (Her husband is a youth pastor at another church and had obligations there that morning.)

Bill, too, had mulitple celebrations.  At his work, one of his bosses made him sit in a wheelchair for their weekly staff meeting.  He was rolled around the room and introduced to the others in the "Sixty-Plus Club".  Bill and Joshua shared a birthday luncheon with Joshua's Family.  A couple of days after that, we went to Ocoee Dam Deli.  They are one of the restaurants that still gives a free meal on your birthday.  We like to eat there at other times, too.

As the saying goes, "Better late than never" (for posting).  And now I have it for my Scrapbook!