Friday Fragments...

It's Friday and I'm late, although not as late as usual so I'm feeling a little proud and cocky!  

I have bits and pieces rolling around in my head that aren't complete posts and if you have some too, link up with Mrs. 4444 at Half Past Kissing Time and join in the fun.

Do you ever put things in the wrong place?  The other day the Superhero asked me why I put the peanut butter in the refrigerator.  I coolly replied.....oh, doesn't it go there?  All the while thinking to myself..... Self, you really are losing it!

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We attended another wedding and it was beautiful.  A couple around our age had the sweetest wedding under the oak tree at their home.  I had to steal this picture, but you gotta do what you gotta do!

O.K. is this just the sweetest picture??  Praying many joyous years together for Ralph and Judy.

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Last Saturday was a long day that started with a call from the retirement home where mama lives telling me they were sending her to the E.R. as they discovered her very sick early that morning.  Bless my brother's heart, he got there before me and followed the ambulance to the hospital, giving me time to get dressed and make a cup of coffee get there without having to stress quite so much.

After a long morning, they decided it was nothing serious and sent her back.  She had gotten something for nausea and slept the rest of the day. No more problems the rest of that weekend or all week, thank you Lord!

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Our Easter music was a little late at church, but it was a very moving musical about Peter and his reaction at the arrest, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus.  Beautiful and very meaningful!

A beautiful reminder at what Grace Jesus gives us and how much He loves us.

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There have been several Heard Around Here opportunities this week.......

This was one of my personal favorites.  To set the scene......The Superhero tries to read through the Bible every year and he's now in the book of Job.....one of my favorite books as you may can tell by the name of my blog.

Me......obviously nagging during our morning walk.  And seriously, what can you expect from a woman at dawn??

Superhero.... I feel just like Job.

Me.....WHY??

Superhero.....because , like Job's friends, you're preaching at me!

That obviously cannot be true!  But isn't he just the cutest??  

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I had lunch with a friend this week and as we were talking we noticed two elderly ladies having two glasses of wine each with their lunch. We commented that they probably shouldn't be driving......but soon, they got up and drove separately away. After praying they weren't parked next to either of us, we then prayed they got home before we left the restaurant!  They could barely walk on the way into the restaurant, much less after a couple drinks!

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Finally, last night a group of us attended the Chondra Pierce concert and it was wonderful!  I laughed and I cried.  I read her book Laughing in the Dark about her clinical depression so it was especially meaningful to me as I handle depression with laughter and can totally relate.

One of the funniest things she said was this.......I think most of you know I have been through a struggle with clinical depression.....but don't worried I'm not depressed tonight, I'm all medicated....then she said.....and don't start on the medication.  A woman once came up to me and said she was worried about my faith because I takes antidepressants.  Chonda answered.....well, take your glasses off and drive home because every time you go to Lens Crafters, it's a stumbling block!  I laughed because it's funny and because it's so true!  

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On a very curious and potentially important note.....did you know your blog can be used against you in a court case?  Recently, a family we know had a hearing to try to keep their dog from being classified as a dangerous dog due to two biting incidents.  The prosecutor (if that's what it is in a dog hearing) had printed out portions of her blog and had her read them on the stand!  I had no idea, but I know this.....it makes me try and think back to see if my blog can send me to prison :))!  Don't say I didn't warn you!

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It's a beautiful day here and a beautiful weekend is forecast so I'm going to get out of here and get outside......or go buy cat food.....one of those two things.  Have a great weekend wherever you live!

Rest for the weary

Tax Season finally ended and we got a couple of nights away from the everyday.  What a wonderful time to just relax and catch up with one another.  If you're a CPA or married to one, you know what I'm talking about.  If you're not, jump up and down with joy right now!  Seriously, I kid.....we are more than blessed to have a business that's doing ok in today's economy.

Since it's late on Thursday, this will also just have to be my Friday Fragments and I'll be linking up with Mrs. 4444 tomorrow.

We stayed here....The Henderson Park Inn in Destin. 

Only about an hour's drive from us, it was far enough to get away and near enough not to be exhausted from the drive.  

When I realized there was not an elevator and we were on the third floor, I decided I didn't need everything I had in the car!  

But, oh, wasn't the room gorgeous!?

I'm having trouble finding my photos.....grrrrr.......but wasn't our BED gorgeous!?  The tray with the roses and grapes also had a bottle of wine which we promptly moved to the refrigerator to cool.  The staff was more than accommodating!  When I asked if they would have White Zinfandel at Happy Hour, she not only replied yes, but told us she was going right up to our room to replace the red wine with White Zinfandel!  

There were so many amenities and we tried to enjoy them all! 

Of course.......the main draw.  If you haven't been to the Gulf and listened to the gentle roar of the waves, go quickly!  

Walking along the edge of the Gulf, I was reminded of the magnificent glory of the One who created all this beauty!  

That roar is the most relaxing sound.  So relaxing that we left our balcony door open at night.



They provided the chairs and umbrellas AND the beach towels



We enjoy relaxing on the beach and went out immediately after getting settled in our room and changed into our bathing suits.

Yes, that's the Superhero on his way down to the beach


And that's me enjoying having my husband with me again the beach


Do I have to come show you how to work that camera?


OK, I guess I do...


The back of the Inn


We were thrilled to see the Doolittle Raiders planes flying over all day.  They were having their final reunion.  Quite impressive.

And watching the pelicans......I only caught this quick picture of one because they are quiet and above us before I could get the camera turned on.  They fly over in groups and usually in a sort of formation.  This one must have gotten left behind!




This is where we enjoyed Happy Hour

The bartender told us that this is among the top ten resorts for romance.

We even enjoyed a cooking class with Chef Gregg and it was fun!  I say that because I don't actually love cooking, but we just watched the Chef and got instructions on cooking shrimp and grits.  We each got a little taste and it was sooooo good!  He was funny except when he told us his grandma taught him to cook and that she just passed away.  He had to stop for a moment and collect himself and that made my tear ducts leak.

 I tried so hard to get a good sunset picture.  So hard, in fact, that I was leaning over our balcony taking this picture all the while thinking to myself.....this is how people fall from balconies you I.D.I.O.T.   

Nearing Sunset

I forced the Superhero to try to push the sun down

Then I tried, but this was as close as we were getting to sunset.......

Because this was calling the Superhero's name!

Notice in every picture, we are smiling.  The picture that I didn't get was us riding bikes.  The Inn provides bikes and we rode and rode and rode.    I kept whining saying that we had to ride back as far as we rode forward, but nobody listened to me and I didn't think I would make it back.  So maybe I'm glad there isn't a picture.  

Another little temptation that was included was a refrigerator with cokes, water and CANDY BARS!  Oh, and gourmet cookies that were out with lemonade in the afternoons.  

We did a little shopping on the way there and on the way home and of course, that's always fun.

 All wonderful times must come to an end.   Thursday morning, after a walk on the beach, we showered, had breakfast, packed up and sadly said goodbye.  

We went to the Inn once about 15 years ago for what we thought would be a romantic little night away.  We were taking the two younger boys to the airport to fly to their mom's and then going to dinner in Pensacola and eat supper with my sister and her family (including her daughter, SIL, grandkids and four cats).  Well actually, the cats didn't get to go to supper......no sooner had we gotten to the restaurant which was across town from the airport, we got a call from the boys saying there was a mix up in the flights and they wouldn't be leaving until the next day.  Off we went back to the airport, back to the restaurant then to my sister's to leave them because there was no room at the Inn (and precious little room at my sister's). We got a few hours sleep, then it was back up, checked out and back to Pensacola to pick the boys up and take them back to the airport and then home.  I wouldn't call that a romantic time and we were younger! 

If you get a chance, we highly recommend Henderson Park Inn.  

Now back to our regularly programmed reality!
Have a great weekend.......looks like we may get rain!

Friday and 802.....

It's Friday and of course I'm late, but I'm sure you're getting used to that lately.  I don't know how the weeks pass so quickly, but it's Friday before I know it and that's my excuse!

If you have some left overs running around in your brain, join in Friday Fragments over at Mrs. 4444's (pronounced Mrs. Fours) and let us read about your week.

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Each and every day during the week when something happens, I think oh, that's a great thing to write for Friday Fragments, but when Friday actually gets here, I can't remember any of them.  So I'm wracking my brain here!  I'm sure it's because I'm getting up so early to walk with the Superhero and my brain is just permanently on tired!

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When I started this post, I noticed it was number 803!  That means I have written 802 posts since 2005.  If I start repeating things it will be no wonder!  The really sad thing is that I really haven't learned lots of new tricks skills.  I still can't make a blog button, I still can't figure out lots of stuff that most of you know how to do and I'm officially jealous!

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This boy is sad because he's in trouble for barking all the time.....and I do mean all the time!  I was so tired of it this week that I loaded him in the car, took him to P*t S*art and said "HELP"!  I bought a bark collar and if you want to call the dog police go ahead, he needs a little jail time.  He's only had it on three times and although it doesn't HURT him, it does scare him and hurt his feelings.  I only put it on him when he's continually barking and then take it off.  Sometimes now all I have to do is show it to him and he stops which I'm taking as progress.

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After today, there are only three days left of tax season.  Hallelujah!  The end of tax season is hard on everyone, the accountants and their families.  I have been taking supper to the Superhero every single solitary day for the last week and a half so that he would eat healthy.  I told him not to think I'm going to be making a habit of cooking, but he appreciates it and I'm actually glad to do something nice for him.  

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We went to a surprise birthday party for a man we know who was 99 on his birthday!  He still works half a day every day and goes to church on Sunday.  He's amazing.  Another dear friend of ours who just turned 90 was talking to her granddaughter who was praising her for how well she's doing at her age and was shocked when her Grandma said "yes, and I'm attending a cocktail party for a 99 year old tonight!"  They are both amazing.  I just hope I have a bit of my mind left at 90 if I make it that long.

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Well, as fascinating as I know this is for you all, I need to get that supper going!  Hope everyone has a great weekend!

An Easter Wedding....

The thing about our family is this.....if you become friends with one of us, you might as well bring your birth certificate because you're most likely becoming a member of the family.  We take prisoners!  

Over time, many friends have indeed become so much like our family that we attend the very special moments of their lives and celebrate or grieve with them as the case may be.

Easter weekend, half of the siblings attended the wedding of a friend.  It was a gorgeous day and a beautiful union of two precious lives.

I'm just going to tell this story in pictures.....so here goes!

The parents of the bride are long time friends of my sister and BIL's and their family included my sis and BIL in the family pictures and they sat with the family.....how sweet is that????  

Here they are before they left to have family pictures made......my sister Cathy and BIL Dick

Those of us who were leaving a little later were not to be denied having our "all dressed up" pictures...

My sister, Debbie and BIL Mike

Of course, since they just had to get married during tax season, I went stag......so here I am with my sister.

Two of my sister's grands....Maggie and Evan.....cousins.  Those two are f.u.n.  Evan was my dance partner.

Cathy's daughter Amy with sons, Daniel and Evan

Here comes the bride!  This is the moment in EVERY wedding where I start to cry.

Waiting at the end of the dock was her husband to be with his groomsman, the officiant and the bride's sister and maid of honor

As Veronica approached she shared a very special look with her sister, Samantha who was her radiant bridesmaid

Samantha......that smile never left her face during the entire wedding and reception. 

Vows said.......let the party begin!

Bride and groom's first dance as husband and wife

Parents of groom on left, bride's parents in the middle and bride and groom on the right

Proud and happy parents of the bride, Cliff and Freida

I'm not sure you can tell but Veronica (forever Roni to some of us) was having a good time dancing with her new husband

My nephew and wife, Dickie and Joneida took a moment to dance.  Joneida and a friend did all the decorations and made the bouquets.  She is quite the talented woman!

This was while they were playing Girls Just Want to Have Fun.....a sweet moment between sisters.

The wedding cake

The very unique groom's cake.  He likes donuts!

Maggie at our table.....are those decorations beautiful?  

Cathy dancing with her son.  They got a little wild!

Samantha and her long time friend Thomas.

Ladies and Gentlmen, Mr. & Mrs.! 

A very joyous day draws to an end and a new life is just beginning.  My prayer is that God will richly bless you Wes and Roni in your life together.

With much, much love.....

Friday.......coping skills and other things....

It's Friday again and I'm late........again. So take all those bits and pieces left over from your week and get them out of your system! While you're at it, join in the fun and link up with Mrs. 4444 at Half Past Kissing Time.

Do you have things that you do to cope when life is making you cry? Just something silly to make you laugh instead? Lately, it's been stressful around here. I know you're thinking so what's new? But I do have a particular coping skill that comes in handy when it just isn't appropriate to cry hysterically. So either out loud, if appropriate, or in my mind if I don't want the men in the white coats to come, I sing "Mama's Got A Squeezebox" by The Who. For some reason that song makes me laugh. If you don't know the song google it and listen. If it doesn't make you laugh, then one of us needs help and before you say it, I know it's me!

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The assisted living facility mama lives in has a resident's council that meets every month.  There is a representative from each hall that presents concerns to the administrator. Then they print a copy for each resident with the concerns and answers from administration. Mama never has gotten into complaining, but some do and it's hilarious! Here are two that I thought were cute this month.....

Hall #1...... Residents request that cable provider do something with volume on commercials. Advised that cable provider has nothing to do with the volume of commercials.

Hall #..... Residents state temperature in dining room needs adjusting.....

Advised that temperature will be 72 degrees at all times! ???? 

Now this one I had to go with the residents....these are old people and they're cold! They got no satisfaction!

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This week my electric toothbrush went whacko and would just start going by itself....it took me a while to figure out what that strange noise was, but when I did I turned it off thinking it was a fluke.  Nope, it turned on and off at will.  I put it in the guest room with the door closed but every time it came on, we could hear it loud and clear.  I finally threw it in the garbage can outside.  

Possessed!

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We are down for the count with tax time!  The Superhero is working nonstop and will until the 15th.  But bless his soul, he isn't called the Superhero for nothing.  One morning on our walk I was sobbing and trying to work out my stress.  He said nothing....and when I asked didn't he have something to say, he replied that he was processing.

Later in the morning, he called and told me he had made reservations for a couple of nights at a very special place.  He may not say much, but he thinks a lot!  He took time out of his very busy, stressful day and did something he knew would make me happy!  

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Have a wonderful weekend friends!