It's my party......

This is the other present I got for my 8th birthday. Does it seem like I'm stuck at 8??? :) My Uncle Stuart and my sister Debbie are with me in this picture. I always loved staying at their house. Doesn't that seem like a huge bicycle?? My uncle was obviously holding the bike so I could sit on it for the picture.

Oh, and don't you love the haircuts???




























My sweet husband turned over this morning and said "happy birthday".....big deal because he doesn't always remember until I thoughtfully remind him. As he was leaving for work, I teasingly asked where was my card? He looked blank for a moment and then said.....at the office. I laughed and said, you mean the store?

He doesn't really think cards are all that....but tonight he's taking me to a wonderful restaurant in Destin! That will be fun and a great birthday present. He's really the best present anyway.....most of the time :) .







I'm very thankful for the last year of my life and am looking forward to this coming year. Psalm 139:16 says this .......Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them. Thanks be to God for each and every day of life.

The weekend....And Happy Birthday Brother!

This baby, dear readers, was my 8th Birthday present. I got him the day before my birthday. I never asked for a baby for my birthday. If you click on the picture and make it bigger, you'll see the look on my face. I'm so ashamed! Of course, my older brother, who is behind me didn't look so happy either! However, my older sister is looking on adoringly, while my younger sister is smugly thinking "I'm not the baby anymore!" My mother, well, she looks like a woman who's just had her FIFTH child. Enough said.

Happy birthday little brother. I'm glad, now that we're old, that I got you the day before my birthday. Tomorrow I'll go into what else I got! So stay tuned........really, y'all come back tomorrow now!































My sister's friend died last week along with a 94 year old dear and close family friend, filling our weekend with two visitations and two funerals. Both were believers, so although sad, we were comforted to know they are both residing in heaven today.

Sad events often bring about family reunions as was the case last weekend, bringing two sisters and various cousins home.







Sister Debbie.......who, incidentally recently told me to stop putting her picture on the internet! Sorry, Sissie, but why ever would you want me to stop when you're so stunningly gorgeous. (What woman could resist that compliment?)


















Following are pictures of various family members who were here for the weekend.




Oh, another stunningly gorgeous sister AND the one who gave us the DNA to make us so gorgeous, my mother!





















Stunningly gorgeous family!






















Proud marine cousin..........notice my dog saluting and thanking a marine!





























Stunningly handsome brother and gorgeous sister in law.......yes, yes, I am sorry I started the stunningly whatever thing, but where would YOUstop????? Can't make anyone mad you know!!!! :)
















Finally, THE BIRTHDAY BOY!!!!!!! with my dear husband. They are certainly gorgeous!

















A friend, looking at my family pictures, made the comment that I am truly blessed with family. So, I would like to end this post by saying.......thanks be to God who gives us more than we could ever ask or imagine. Ephesians 3:20 (my paraphrase)

Not gone....

My husband has been a steady rock for me, and lately I've been not so sweet! O.K. and he isn't the best communicator. He's the strong, silent type. But I have been awful ornery!

A LOT going on here and I haven't the time to sit down long enough to write or download! Or study linking :).

Please be in prayer for some really tough situations we are facing. They mostly have to do with my two older sons.

I love all you sweet prayer warriors!

Back soon!

Don't they go together?

Yard work and aches and pains??? Oh, yea!









I needed to finish this.













So it would look like this.....Oh, do we need to pressure wash that fence or WHAT?!




















Which resulted in several of these!






Oddly enough, that string like thing hanging out of the yard bag is part of a pantyhose! Seriously, I dug it up! I stopped digging there, you know just in case our house is built over a cemetery! :) It's not, really.




Excuse me now, I must go and fix another ice pack for one of the various aching parts of my old body!

Thanks Tonja!

This award is given to a blogger who is deserving whether for creativity, design, interesting material, or contributions to the blogging community.
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Thanks so much to Tonja

I'm not so creative and so this must be for interesting material????? Anyway, thanks!!!

I want to pass this on to everyone! That's so I don't have to try to link again tonight!

Also many thanks for the step by step linking directions. It worked perfectly, oh dare I say perfectly??? I'm still working on my skills. But I don't seem to have time to work to hard, so it will take me several more years!

The serious and the silly.....

The Serious......


First the serious. My younger sister has a lifelong friend, actually a boyfriend from many years ago who is, unless the Lord intervenes, dying. These specifics are not exact. He started with a lung disease and has been on the lung transplant list. He recently went to a major hospital in another city where he was told he also needed a heart transplant. Now he is so weak, he has been taken off the transplant list and is home, surrounded by his family and friends.

Please, prayer warriors, pray that if God be willing, He would have a miracle and get better, but if that is not God's will, then for comfort for all concerned. I also want to pray that God receive glory from this situation. There is a large group of friends who are with him often, some Christians, I'm not sure about all. So my prayer is that they will all be drawn to Jesus through this illness. What a joyous but serious thing to know that at anytime we could be in the presence of the Creator of the World, our Savior and Lord. So please join me in prayer for Mike, his family and his friends.


When Job had lost his property and his children, he rose and tore his robe and shaved his head in sorrow and I'm sure agony, but scripture tell us that he fell on the ground and worshiped! He said this.....Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord....Job 1:21

The week before my FIL died, he said that very thing to us....in his words, "it's true what the Bible says, you're naked when you're born and you take nothing with you when you die."

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The Silly.....

The other day, on another blog, someone was talking about sayings.......I commented that one of the sayings in our family is Forevermore, pronounced Fa eva more (short a). Actually we say well, fa eva more.Today I remembered a plate I made some years ago with that very saying and knewthought you would all enjoy seeing my artistic side. Yes, folks this is my creative self. Sad, I know. But you get the saying point.

Today, Big brother, little sister and I were at mama's and I don't know what was the subject was, but my brother and I said "fa evermore" in unison. All I can say is great minds think alike. Using the word great loosely, very loosely!

Just a quiet day!

Today was a wonderful, refreshing Lord's day! After Church, I started to nap, but got into watching Ann of Green Gables sequels. So even though I didn't sleep, I got some much needed rest.

On another subject.......I can't find my tweezers and this is what my chin looks like! Now why in the world do women have hair on their faces?






Hopefully, you all realize this is NOT my face. It's really not!

Oh, my I need to dust the deer head! :)

Did I hear what I think I heard?

I have been seriously wondering if I heard right when I was led to teach another year of VBS. The first day I was confused, the second day I cried, the third day I felt it was somewhat coming together and today I was wondering again. That one little boy that has been with me for the past two VBS years and is with me again this year, couldn't stop talking again today. Just as a side note......he's not a member of our church and isn't the child of anyone who may read my blog. Either of you.

I woke up this morning with an obvious urinary tract infection accompanied by really bad bladder spasms. So, again I'm thinking, should I really be at VBS??? I called our doctor's office and ran there to leave a specimen before VBS with the promise that they would call my cell phone as soon as the results were back. I kept my phone in my pocket on vibrate. They never called.

The kids weren't really that bad today, but the boys....oh, why can't boys stop talking? As I say that, I remember getting in trouble numerous times for talking....o.k. it isn't just boys. Today my nerve endings were just frayed. I waited and waited for the doctor's call....and was deciding that I had indeed heard God wrong about me teaching VBS. I was even apologizing for not being a good listener and letting these 15 boys and girls have the opportunity to have a teacher He really had called. We did get through the day and on to closing ceremonies. At the end, the aforementioned little boy walked over, threw his arms around my waist and said "I love you."

Talk about stepping back, looking heavenward and asking for forgiveness....I did!I know in God's providence, I am there for His reason. There is a reason I have that particular little boy each and every year. No matter what the struggle, the battle is the Lords. I had temporarily forgotten that.

I still hadn't heard from the doctor's office, tried calling only to be told the nurse was out to lunch. I'm suffering here. But I drive to mama's and with my sister we take mama, ironically, to the urologist. Is anybody seeing the humor in this??? Taking mama anywhere is a big job as she doesn't get around well. We got that done, took her home and went to the nursing home to visit our aunt. She's 92 and her mind comes and goes.

She was so happy to see us and after a little bit of prompting said "You're my nephews!" Almost right. Then she looked at me and said, "well, you're getting big! It really shows, are you pregnant?" My sister by this time is trying not to wet her pants laughing. I reply no, Auntie dearest, I'm not pregnant for heaven's sake I'm about to be 57....to which my sister says no, you'll ONLY BE 56. Anyhow, too old to have a baby or LOOK like I'm having one. Why would I be trying to make myself a year older....just goes to show what shape (no pun intended) I'm in.


























Meanwhile, the sweet little lady in the room with my aunt says to my sister how gorgeous her hair is and I'm thinking....o.k. if you're going to say that, could you at least say I don't look all that terrible???

I finally call my doctor's office after 2 p.m. and the nurse said oh, nobody called? We have two prescriptions for you at the front desk. Beat head against dashboard!

So tonight, I finally have my prescriptions, my sweet husband cooked dinner.....he's a fabulous cook!......and settling down and praying that tomorrow, the last day of VBS, I'll see that some little seed has been planted in these tender little hearts. I'll thank God that I've had the privilege of being part of His magnificent plan. Although, a frayed and haggard part....He just uses us as we are, doesn't He??

You know what we call this kind of day down here in the south???? Just another day in paradise.

Vacation Bible School

Oh, it is finally here,VBS! Really, now, I love teaching little children about the love of Jesus. This picture (bottom of post) is from 2 years ago just so no one would recognize any of the kids. I love these kids. I do. This is my third year with this same class.

I was ready to stop teaching VBS after 2006, then lo and behold one of the mothers came to me and told me her daughter was PRAYING I would be her teacher the next year. I looked heavenward and said I hear you Lord. So I taught in 2007. The little girl prayed again. I heard again. I'm back.

Today was very hectic as first days of VBS always are, but I felt tears welling up at the closing ceremony (is it a ceremony??) and not because one little boy can't close his mouth. He can't....he tries, but he can't. I've had him every year. No, my tears were prayers each one, that these children would always love Him.

Seriously, it was fun and I had two great helpers from the youth group.

As you all know, I am an open book on this blog. You may wish I would shut the book a tad sometimes, but I can't. I'm like little VBS boy, I just can't. Besides if I closed the book how would you all know what to pray about.

Today, when tears were coming to my eyes, my heart was filled with prayers for all these children. Yes, I know I said that once already. It's worth repeating. Prayers also for their parents that they may never have to witness any of their children shred their lives and be helpless to do a thing. Except pray. I pray all the children at VBS will grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and skip all the bad stuff that can lead to worse stuff that WILL lead to heartbreak.

I also felt so unworthy to be teaching. Why me, Lord?? Goodness knows, I missed the mark in teaching my own children. They went to VBS.

Parents, hold on to those little boys and girls. Teach them with the help of the Lord as best you can. Trust the Lord with their hearts, and with your own. The Lord can do anything........as I watch these children, I trust anew that God WILL heal my own child. So I rejoice through the tears that I can trust Him!

P.S. I could possibly cry tomorrow too....so beware!

We're Baaack!

The older I get the better I get to know myself and sometimes that is scary! Really, I am a homebody. We just got home from a quick trip to one of our son's cities to have some work done on our motorhome and to visit.

We got there early Thursday afternoon so we could see our DIL before she left for OUR city. That's right, she already had plans to go with a couple of her girlfriends to the b*llf*sh to*rnament. We did get to visit with her for a little while and that was nice.

When Tommy got home, he took us to eat at a great little greek restaurant...I mean good food! We spent the nite in our motorhome right there where the work was being done, so that was nice.

I really didn't want a motorhome when we got one. Before diesel fuel went through the roof and got even higher than gas! My husband had mentioned getting one years ago, but I just thought it was a passing want. But no, he had been thinking about it all these years. Now that we have it, there are some things I really like about having a motorhome.

O.K. the most obvious reason, you can go to the bathroom while riding down the highway and you don't have to nag and whine to get your husband to pull over at a rest stop. Yes, that is VERY nice! Now don't use me as an example......you should, of course, sit with your seatbelt on, not get up and run to the bathroom, or make a cup of coffee for your driver so he doesn't nod off while the vehicle is in motion! Yes that all is very nice!

However, having your own closet and drawers is really nice. I don't travel light. I never have and don't know how to start. I just need to have choices in clothing. So we each have our own closet. Not so big, but big enough to have a few choices. Even if I never wear all the outfits I take, I know they are there.

AND, very importantly, we know who slept in our bed last! Oh, yes, that part I like a lot! Fortunately, the bed is very comfortable....I had some bad moments over that one when we my husband was contemplating buying a motorhome. But, it turned out just fine. Plus, the engine is under our bed, so it is all warm and cozy by the time we stop for the night.

But one thing you cannot, absolutely MUST not do, is get up and go anywhere in the motorhome if you're the driver! NO, NO, NO! There is a story floating around that a man bought a motorhome and was not properly informed how to drive. Supposedly, he was driving, put the cruise control on, and got up to do something and of course crashed. I don't think even I would do that! Although, I will say that anyone who buys a motorhome and hasn't been a semi truck driver, should invest in driving lessons. We did and I'm sure it has saved our lives many times over.

We really had a great time. We are so proud of these two! We're hoping that one day, they'll be back up in the panhandle.

As you can see......

Yes folks, this is the look of a frustrated woman! Trying to LINK

O.k. it looks like I was able to link doesn't it in my last post??? That was a test, I really didn't mean to publish it for all the blogworld to see how really dumb I am. I did what everybody said. I really did. I just don't know if I have it in my brain to learn. I mean you know the old saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks." Maybe that's me!

Guess what??? Even the font color symbol on my tool bar disappeared. I mean what's up with that???

I must quit trying now and pack for an early morning trip tomorrow. I think my dear husband thinks our motor home is all packed! Surprise!

Oh, yea, I also broke his desk top today. I swear it was an accident! No, really, the monitor just would not come on, so I called him at work. That was not a good idea. Apparently there was some little something stressful at work....and he didn't feel he could talk me through getting his monitor to come on. I checked every plug, every, well everything. I am not a computer whiz.....has anyone noticed?

Jennifer and Keetha, maybe if you would do a. b. c. or 1. 2. 3. (wait isn't that a song?) :) At least I'm trying to keep my sense of humor! Jennifer I'm pretty sure I have linking to other blogs down, it is just linking to old posts I can't get. I really want to be able to say go here or here and have it link.

I'll think about it while we're out of town. I may have computer access if hubby takes his lap top, not to be confused with his desk top which I've inadvertantly broken! Oh, dear.

Oh, wait, I just tried to link to Jennifer's blog and it didn't work!

Thanks

Special thanks to Jennifer for writing step by step easy instructions for linking. Now no promises that I'll be able to do it time and time again, but it's a start! Thanks!!!!!

Our happy boy.....

Adam was 8 months old before this Nana got to see him and hold him in my arms! My son and his wife separated when Adam was just 4 months old and then it was another 4 months before my sister and my mother were able to take a trip to California to visit my sister's daughter and meet my grandson.

What a joy! Adam was always smiling and laughing.










Then and now, he's a happy boy!

Adam, I pray you grow up to be a strong man of God.

She walks into hearts.....

On a beach in California a long haired beauty flung wide her arms and twirled for joy! She was only 3 years old, but already that wonderful, innocent, joyful spirit gleamed in her eyes. Her playfulness and eagerness to love and be loved was completely formed. She walked into every heart she met.














Fast forward 13 years that same spirit shines from 16 year old eyes! That same eagerness to love and be loved! A heart completely open, totally exposed, expecting only love. Love it is that envelopes her in my heart. Takes my breath to watch her twirl with abandon. Makes me long to protect her from all things hurtful. That innocence seemingly still intact and the beauty grown from a child into a wonderful young woman!









Now, as then, my prayer remains the same. May she grow in grace and love for the Lord. May her life glorify the Creator. May she make a difference in the world even as she's made in my life.

I love you, my sweet 16.

Family Weekend

It was a total family weekend! On the 4th of July my sister, her husband and my nephew visited with mama and then brought her over to spend the day with me. Aren't they a good looking family!?




I was dealing with a strained knee so mama reclined and my sister, Debbie fixed an ice pack before she left. We basically both reclined for the day.











My dog, Mikey had a great day lounging in mama's lap!


















Later in the evening, we took mama home and headed over to my MIL's for a 4th hot dog cookout and little family gathering.






















One of the nicest parts of the day was seeing MIL's first great granddaughter. We hadn't seen her in a while and she is a little doll! She loved going up the stairs to Great Mema's room.

















Saturday night, we had another family and friend gathering at our house. This is Great Mema with great granddaughter. We all had a good time, with some swimming, lots of eating and visiting!

California........Day 3 or was it 4???

My sister wrote notes each day about the things we did, and I sure wish I had them because the days are running together in my mind. I think this was day 3. It could very well be a combination of 2 days, since I had a big upset.

I was really excited and also nervous about seeing my son. We hadn't seen each other for several years and it was very good to see him that first night and the next morning.

Then it happened. There was a misunderstanding that really didn't even involve me, but in his mind, my son thought I was somehow at the root of this problem. There was a verbal blowout. Never, ever let anyone tell you that sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you! Words can be terrible weapons. Kind of like weapons of mass destruction of the heart!

Sister and DIL tried telling me that it wasn't my son talking, it was the drugs, but I was looking at the baby I gave birth to and out of his mouth were coming words of great hurt. Some of them so crazy that I knew indeed that the drugs were a part of his thinking, but the hurt was no less.

The children were out of earshot and thankfully heard none of this, although I think they've heard enough.

Later that day, he did apologize by text message, (did I ever tell you I hate text messaging? For real!) adding the qualifier that he wasn't wrong but was sorry for his behavior. I'm very grateful that he apologized. I know that the Lord Jesus has to hear my apologies daily.

I know my son may read this so to him I say this, dear child, I am so sorry that you have so much anger inside. I'm sorry for you, I'm sorry for me, but most of all, I'm sorry for your children. I'm sorry that for 8 days in June, we couldn't just enjoy being together. My mind keeps returning to days when I would read to you "Gr**n E*ggs and H*m" and at the end, you would jump up and say "Read it again mama!" I cling to those memories.

I pray the Lord will change your heart. I pray you will be able to give up the drugs and be the man I know you can be, carrying out the plan God has for you.

I'm so glad we had this happy picture before things got so mixed up.

On a happier note, later that day, my sister, DIL and grandchildren drove over to a big outlet mall nearby. We did a little shopping, bought an outfit for everyone.

That night we ate at a really good Chinese restaurant we found while shopping at the outlets. I think it was called the Iron Wok. We got in and got seated when my sister said it was too cold for her at that table. We called the waitress and were moved into the buddha room. No kidding there was a huge buddha statue at the back of the room, with lots of candles burning. Can you believe I forgot my camera??? I was a little uncomfortable with buddha. My grandson soon discovered that we didn't have enough light and that when it got dark outside it would be us, the candles and buddha! We called our poor waitress yet again. I'm sure she was thinking they better leave me a really good tip! She got the manager and we were moved to the VIP section! The lighting was good, the temperature just right and the food......YUMMY! We got a much needed laugh and very full stomachs.

We got home and dropped into bed! Remember we were in a different time zone than we were used to!

Added note: Sometimes it may seem that I share things too personal. I don't want anyone to ever believe that as a Christian I have no problems! "In this world, you will have many troubles...." This is a promise Jesus gave us and I believe that even in our deepest sorrows, He is teaching us something that we can share with the world.

Happy 4th of July!

Hope everyone has a firecracker kind of day! I'm so proud to be an American.

Enjoy all the picnics, family get togethers and fireworks! DH will be taking 2 of our sons fishing early this morning.....I'm sleeping in! Then tonight we will have a cookout at MIL's and watch the fireworks from her back yard right over the bay.

California............Day 2

Tia Amanda, the grand children's aunt, came by to see me. All DIL's family are very gracious and try to visit while I'm in California. It's so much fun to see them, as I don't get out there so often.









Ashley and I examined the new landscaping. All this was done the day before my sister and I arrived.
























We drove over to see their daddy at the house he's just rented. This beautiful tree is in the front yard and it holds two beautiful kids nicely don't you think??




















It was a lazy day. Cathy and I bought groceries and cooked chicken enchiladas for supper. Adam surprised us by being quite the helper, while his sister read. Ashley soaks up books like a sponge. She is always lost in a book, making me wonder all the places she's been and envisioned in her mind!

California Trip.......part 1

We were met at our plane in San Diego by my sweet daughter in love and my grandchildren! How wonderful it was to see them all standing there. It was a little cooler there (that's an understatement) than in Florida, so little Angelina was dressed to keep warm! We had been traveling most of the day. We were tired! We drove straight to my grandchildren's home where we were made most welcome! DIL gave us her room and bed, and slept with her two year old in a bunk bed! Now that's hospitality! We got our suitcases in, washed our faces and put our pajamas on.














We were ready for bed when my son and a friend came in and we visited for a few minutes before turning in for the night. I hadn't seen my son for several years.

My sister and I slept like babies with the cool California breeze coming in our window!

I'm busy catching up at home, preparing for a weekend of guests for the 4th, so more tomorrow!

There's no place like home....

I'm back, but I'm too tired to really start showing the pictures and talking about the trip. The grandchildren were just so wonderful. There were a few stressful things that happened.

My gratitude to my sister for traveling with me, I'm not sure I would have made it without her help.

Now that I'm home, I have tons of laundry to do, floors to vacuum and mop, dusting to be done. The 4th of July is coming and my husband's family is having a BIG family reunion.

More to come, so please stay tuned!