JUST HANGIN' AROUND.....

NOTE TO HARRIED MOMS:
If the kids get to be a little too much to handle...find a sturdy hook and just hang them on the wall! This is Ian, he's 25 now so this didn't hurt him too bad. Now don't be thinking me crazy...he only stayed long enough for a picture. But, for weeks he kept asking to "get back on the hooks!" (Sounds like a medieval torture device doesn't it?) Note dirty knees! That was a permanent thing with this little boy!
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The comcast man did not come. I 'hung around' the house all day waiting! However, my computer seems to be working fine again, so maybe they did something outside and I did not know it. Well, they at least should have called or something, don't ya think? As long as it is working...I don't care.

SNAPPY!!!!!

This is getting old...I don't like it when things don't work like they are supposed to. The comcast man is coming today to figure out why this computer is not living up to it's expected perfection. Since I am sure that I could not be doing anything wrong (cause Alex said so) it must be the comcast folks causing my distress. 'Cause, remember...I went to the computer store and got to pay them 50 bucks to tell me that my laptop was OK.

This crazy thing will jump on the internet for about 10 minutes or less...then it is gone again. This is quite annoying. Hope I can get this posted before it is goes away...TTYS...hopefully!

FRUSTATION

YIKES!!!!! It's coming true!!!!!
My computer service or my computer or the air over my house or something is causing me to not be able to use my computer when I need to. So, I am hoping I can get this post out to you so that you will not think I have flown the coop. I will be back with exciting information and fascinating topics as soon as I can. At least I am getting a lot of packing done since I can't check up on all my bloggy friends! TTYS!

YUMMY NEWS FLASH !!!!!

Have you seen these yet? Well, run...don't walk...to your nearest grocery store and pick up some. They are soooo good! There are several different varieties...but the one I recommend is triple chocolate. Did you hear that...TRIPLE chocolate! And look at the funky colors. They look like they have been sponge painted with metallic paints. Now, they don't have the crunchy coating like regular M&M's. Just good chocolaty smoothness! Get some today...you won't be sorry.
FYI...in my town I found them at Target and Wal Mart South. Enjoy!

THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING...# 26

Isn't this the neatest picture? I do not know who the photographer is, but this photo speaks volumes about the photographer as artist. Magical!

CHALLENGE X 2

CHALLENGE # 1
Kat challenged us to answer these favorites....so here are my answers!
SPORT...Shopping
COLOR...Blue
MOVIE...The Shawshank Redemption
GAME...Sorry
BROADWAY PLAY...The Phantom Of the Opera, Les Miserables
BROADWAY MUSICAL...Annie Get Your Gun
SONG...You Light Up My Life
AMERICAN CITY...Paia, Maui, Hawaii
FOREIGN CITY...Tokyo, Japan
BOOK...Faith Is Not A Feeling
CHILDREN'S BOOK...The Giving Tree
CLASSIC TV...M*A*S*H
RECENT TV...House
ACTOR...Will Smith
ACTRESS...Kate Winslet
PERFUME...Niven Morgan Gold
FOOD....Mama's mashed potatoes
DESSERT...chocolate anything
CHAIN RESTAURANT...Cheesecake Factory
LOCAL RESTAURANT...Conestoga Steak House
CAR...Honda Pilot
CONDIMENT...Mayo
KITCHEN APPLIANCE...Electric Griddle
HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE...Dyson Vacuum Cleaner
BEAUTY PRODUCT...Clinique Moisturizer
CLOTHING...jeans
HGTV SHOW...Freestyle
FOOD NETWORK SHOW...never watch show that intimidate me
AUTHOR...Nora Ephron
SONGWRITER...James Taylor
HOLIDAY...Christmas
BALLET...Nutcracker
DISNEY CHARACTER...Goofy
FLOWER...Sunflower and Daisy
ALCOHOLIC DRINK...don't drink them
NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINK...Diet Dr. Pepper
MAGAZINE...Country Home
ANIMATED MOVIE...Finding Nemo
TV MINI SERIES...Roots
SEASON...Fall
MALE VOCALIST...Michael Buble
FEMALE VOCALIST...Norah Jones
DAY OF WEEK...Friday
CHORE...they're called 'chores' for a reason
ICE CREAM...Chocolate...any kind
CANDY...chocolate...any kind
ARTIST...Butirsky
QUOTATION..."Around here, I never know if it's trash or art." Alex Owens
****I AM ADDING ONE MORE***
HOBBY...Blogging
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CHALLENGE # 2
Sharon tagged me to name 6 random things about my self....so, here goes...
1. I love to read...but do not always have time to read. At the present time, I have about 25 books that I have bought and are just waiting for me to find time for them.
2. I am lactose intolerant. So, milk does a real number on me if I consume it. I don't like it to drink...but, I do like an occasional bowl of cereal. So, I have to want it really bad...cause I will invariably suffer the consequences.
3. I have kept every card and letter sent to me over the past 20 years. It is fun to go back and reread these and remember the people who sent them.
4. I love to organize things. It is very a very calming activity to sort through items and separate them into categories. The problem I have is follow through...I like to sort and categorize...just not store and put away. Big problem!
5. I love boxes...especially old wooden boxes. I like the ones that have several layers of paint on them and have obviously been well used. I really get excited if I find a box like I have never seen before.
6. I really enjoy watching So You Think You Can Dance? on TV. This is the 3rd season. I do not like Dancing with the Stars at all, but this show takes kids who really can dance and showcases their talent. It is amazing how they can learn new choreography each week, even when they have not ever danced that particular style before. Much harder than DWTS...this show is about real talent. No, I do not think I can dance.
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So, there you go, way more about me than you ever wanted to know. I am not going to tag anyone specifically...but, come on, folks, be a sport...play along!

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING

I do not like thunder and lightning. I never have and don't have any plans to change. I realize it is created by God, and it serves a very useful purpose...but I do not like it. I do not like to hear it. I do not like to see it. I do not like to even think about it. However, because I care about my blogging buddies, I am forcing myself to blog about this. But, this is a one time deal...you better take notes. I know you have heard most of these things before, but it never hurts to hear them again. I am using information from a USA Today report by Jack Williams, and from the National Weather Service.
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Lightning kills close to 100 people in the US every year. And most of these are at this time of year when thunderstorms hit quickly and often.

A typical lightning strike can heat up the air around it to 50,000 degrees, which causes it to expand and contract which in turn causes sound waves. You hear this as thunder. So, even if you do not see the lightning...THUNDER MEANS IT IS THERE! Thunder should be thought of as a wake-up call. If you can hear the thunder, the lightning is within 10 miles. Thunder rarely travels further than that. A lightning strike can travel over 5 miles.

Remember this:

IF YOU HEAR IT.....FEAR IT...
IF YOU SEE IT......FLEE IT...

So, friends, if you can hear the thunder...the lightning is close enough to worry about!!!Now, I did not realize this. I always thought that the thunder just meant a storm was coming...not realizing thunder actually means the storm is here!

A permanent building is a safe place to be. But, you must be aware of these things:
***Stay away from windows...people have been killed by going to a window to look at the storm.
***Do not talk on the telephone...lightning can follow the telephone wire and strike you.
***Do not take a bath...and stay away from plumbing fixtures. In other words...just 'hold it' til the storm is over.
***Do not use or stand near electrical appliances...the lightning can follow the wiring inside. NO BLOGGING!!!!

A car can offer some protection...but it has nothing to do with the tires. If the car is struck, it will follow the metal path to the ground. Therefore...if you are seeking shelter in a car during a storm, DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING METAL. Also, be sure all the windows are rolled up. You're only safe in a metal roof car.

If you are caught outdoors, do not seek shelter in: carport, dugout, tent, picnic pavilions, under a tree, etc. If you are driving, stop. A flash of lightning can blind the driver.

I know you have all heard these warning signs hundreds of times, but maybe you are like me and did not realize that you should seek shelter when you begin to hear the thunder.

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I used to be bothered by the fact that thunder and lightning seemed so useless. Why could it not just rain with out all the lights and noise? Then one day I was preparing a lesson for some preschoolers, and I got my answer.

Eighty per cent of our atmosphere is made up of nitrogen which is essential to vegetation. But, it is floating around in the air...when the plants that need it are on the ground. Isn't it just like God to have that in His plan all along? When the intense heat of the lightning streaks through the sky, it dissolves the nitrogen into the rain which carries it to the earth. Have you ever noticed that sort of acid smell after a thunderstorm? Well, that is the nitrogen that has fallen...God's fertilizer!

This world did not just happen by accident. Every single thing was thought out and planned by a most magnificent God. Every little thing in our vast universe is here for a reason and a purpose.

Even so, I still do not like the lightning. And you can be sure that I will not be where it is. In fact, if possible, I will not even be where I can see it. But, I thank Him for it anyway...though I am not sure He believes me!
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"It is His voice that echoes in the thunder of the storm clouds. He causes mists to rise upon the earth; He sends the lightning and brings the rain, and from His treasures He brings the winds." Jeremiah 10:13

JUST A JOKE

ATTENTION...This is a funny joke...but don't read any further if you are easily offended...

Betcha read it anyway just to see! Hope you laughed!

CREEK HOUSE UPDATE

Guess where I am standing? Right! I'm at the Creek House! Here's what I saw today.

Look how good the mortar wash is looking. It is such a relief to get rid of that tacky brick! This just makes the whole house look better.

Can you tell that the mortar wash is darker here? It is sort of hard to see. But, this will be the accent color on the house.

The beams are going up inside the den and dining room. I watched them put one of them up and it scared me just seeing them...so I got out of there, and left it to the experts. It takes about 6 of them, and they are up so high...not fun.

Another view of the outside. The heat index here today is 105! I know they are burning up. But, inside, it is even hotter!

They are painting inside and I am so loving the colors. They are very calm and soothing...which can only be a positive around our house!

Our builder says all is coming along as it should...no glitches so far. I must admit that I did kind of cause a little bump in things yesterday. It was planned to paint all the cabinets in the house the same greeny-grayish color. And I like that, BUT, when I realized that it was going to be in my closet, too....I just thought it would be too dark. They have already painted the drawer fronts, but had not painted the room yet, so I had them change it. They will just have to repaint the drawer fronts and they spray those, so maybe they won't talk about me too bad! I also had them add a chandelier in my closet over the island. That was an easy fix.

Can't believe it is all coming together so quickly....after so many years of waiting and planning. We are blessed to be able to do this and all thanks go to God for allowing us to experience this joy! But, I still have miles to go in sorting through this house...you just collect a lot of junk in 30 years! I better get back to work!

WILLING TEACHERS ???

I have come late to the computer age. Whereas many of my contemporaries learned about and used computers in their work...it has never been a necessity for me to know how to work one. But, I finally came to the conclusion that there was a big portion of the world that I could not access because I did not understand the computer. Fortunately for me, my 3 boys grew up at the time they were beginning to teach them in school...so they have used them for many years and it comes very natural to them. Plus, they inherited some 'smart genes' from one of their parents. They started showing me about them several years back and then when I decided I wanted to start a blog, there were many more lessons.

Now, I do not know if the fact that I have to be shown several times how to do something new is due to my ADD or my age, or the fact that having my 3 boys around me for so many years just used up all my good sense. But, whatever the reason, it just doesn't stick to the grey matter the first or second time. Now, I have learned to write down what they say...so I have made me a notebook of cheat sheets. I can pull it out and read my notes...in my own words and remember exactly what to do. The young men that I labored for days to bring into this world, tend to get quite exasperated when I don't automatically remember how they said to do a certain step 2 years ago. Personally, I think it is pretty amazing that I even remember that they told me anything at all 2 years ago.
While I am sure that I have within me the ability to make this machine perform many great and wonderful tasks, I still am at the mercy of my own 'geek squad'. A new lesson is dependent upon just how magnanimous they are feeling toward me at the time. I am reminded of the many times that I cleaned poopy diapers and training pants. I told them how it all worked...showed them where to put their 'work', and expected them to remember. But did they? Noooooo! So, we had to have the same lesson again and again before it sunk in. I stuck with teaching them these manners because I wanted them to be liked and accepted by their peers. I wanted people to enjoy being around them and I wanted them to be able to do what all the other kids were doing. It took time, and eventually they learned where it was permissible to make a deposit. Oh, I well remember my loving and patient talks with them, carefully pointing out the error of their ways, and sweetly encouraging them to try harder. Lesson upon lesson upon lesson. Careful explanations, complete with show and tell to make sure it was fully understood. When they would come to me and say, "Mommy, I forgot what it was you said about using the potty, would you tell me again?" I would caress their soft hair and pull them onto my lap, and carefully explain it one more time. Oh, yes, that is exactly the way I remember it. And, they finally got it!

So, boys...you owe me a few more lessons...now stop that griping. You don't have to pat me on the head and I don't want to sit on your lap...you don't even have to get your hands dirty!
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"He that has ears, let him hear." Matthew 11:15

THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING...# 25

How would you like to live in this stone cottage in the English countryside? I can just imagine what it would be like, can you? Would you like to see inside? Your wish is my command...Enjoy!

How about a bath in this tub?

I think my dreams would be sweet next to this fireplace...in this bedroom.

This is a place I would love to relax and kick back...would you join me?

A fireplace in the kitchen? How delightful!

I think this is my fav...just me and my books!

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As beautiful as this place is...it is not even real! The outside of the house is just a facade built for the movie "The Holiday". I was so shocked! And disappointed.
I would like to think that this place really exists. It is so perfect and exactly like a typical English cottage. Notice the beautiful low stone fence and little gate to enter . Just charming! Another secret...the rooms are not real either...just movie sets. Movie sets!!! Have you ever wanted to live in the movies? I think for sure I could live in this one. "The Holiday" features this house and another one in LA that is very modern. It stars Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslett. The 2 women exchange houses over the Christmas holiday. Check it out on DVD to see both houses better.

A SPECIAL AWARD

Thanks so much to Sharon for honoring me with this award. What a nice surprise, Sharon! I encourage you to check out her blog for some very inspiring posts! She loves the Lord and uses her blog to spread the Word.
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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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"Arte y Pico"is a Mexican phrase and it translates into "lo maximo." It is said that it will never find a suitable English word translate to, but, the closest words in English are "Wow! The Best Art! Over the Top!"This award was started by the blog Arte y Pico.
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You may nominate up to 5 bloggers who meet the requirements to pass the award along to. Link to the person who gave you this award, the blog Arte y Pico, and the blogs you choose to award. And so, I pass this along to:

Jill at Jillian, Inc. for her sassy new blog design

Sherrie at Journey 2 Our Princess for her inspiring blog on the adoption process as she and her family await the day they can go pick up Sweet Sophie and bring her home.

BOYS AND THEIR TOYS

Ian came over the other day to show me his new motorcycle. He rides it back and forth to work every day. He has customized this one with these pipes. It is loud...but, he likes it that way!
People ask me often if it bothers me that my boys and Don ride. The answer is no. Since they were little boys and learned to ride a bicycle, they have been riding. Their Pop has taught them well...and Joy's girls, too. He would take them to ride in the loose sand, so they would know how it felt. He taught them to ride in mud and on wet grass and loose gravel...all kinds of surfaces. This was so when they encountered that surface, they would already know how the bike would respond. That is the cause of so many accidents when an unexperienced rider hits an unfamiliar terrain. They have worn helmets from the beginning. They have never been allowed to ride without them...even in the yard! Also, they learned to ride in proper attire...long sleeved shirt, long pants, sox and shoes and helmet! This is the proper way to avoid road burn if you fall. And they have fallen...and got right back on. There have been broken things, and sprained things and burned things...but, it has always been due to driver error.
Because they grew up on motorcycles, they have learned from the beginning, that you have to watch 10 times more closely than if you are driving a car. You HAVE to watch the other drivers and anticipate them doing something stupid...or anticipate them not seeing you at all. That is why they always ride with lights on. Actually, because they learned to ride a motorcycle, and learned the road rules to get their license, they are much better drivers in the car. That same teaching follows them as they drive. BTW...Pop is still riding at 82...but only with a buddy!
I have never wanted my boys to be afraid to try new things or be afraid that they might 'get hurt.' Life is full of bumps and bruised...even breaks...but if you never get out there and try...look at all the fun you miss. Now, I must hasten to say this. We were very strict about the way they behaved on their motorcycles. Doing 'show-off' things and acting the fool were never tolerated. One of the boys decided to test whether we meant that or not. He had begun riding to school and of course since none of the other boys had driver's license yet, he thought he was 'big stuff.' We caught wind of something he did...they always said we had spies out everywhere...and he lost all riding privileges for a month. Quite a lesson to go from Mr. Big Stuff to Mommy Drives Me To School! Lesson learned.
Adam and his Pop took a 1600 mile trip on their bikes when Adam was around 18. I do not know who enjoyed it more...Adam or Pop! Ian took his to school with him and rode back and forth to Dothan and around Birmingham. He rides a lot now...and is getting some riders groups meeting together since he is back in town.
May, I remind you...as you tool around in your car...Please look out for motorcycles. They really do have as much right to the road as we do in our cars. Don't think you can pull out in front of them just because you are in a bigger vehicle. Be careful...it could be one of my boys and certainly some mother's son or daughter.
BTW...I rode a motorcycle to school when I was in High School,too. Yes, I was the only girl doing so. Yes, all the boys were envious. Yes, I though I was too cool. Yes, it was a Stud Magnet...not that that mattered to me...:). I also took a bike to school when I was in Birmingham. Lots of fun. I gave up riding when I began to have children, but now Don and I love to ride. And we are fortunate that many of our friends enjoy it also. We love to all get together and ride somewhere for dinner. We went up to the mountains a few years ago and it was a blast. But, now, I get to just sit back and chill out and leave the driving to Don.
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Oh! My! Goodness! Look what I just spied in the back of Don's truck! Kayaks! I guess boys need their toys for as long as they live.

Looks like more lake time coming up!

AWARD TIME

I was pleasantly surprised to get an award yesterday. My good friend, Kat, who LOVES TO EAT and LIVES IN PARADISE awarded me the Brilliant Award. She also writes a wonderful blog, Just A Beach Kat. And not only that, she is a charter member of the world famous "B" Club! Throw in a cute hubby and a sweet doggy...or is that sweet hubby and cute doggy ...never mind, it's true both ways! Thank-you, my friend!
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Here are the rules to pass this award on to someone you think is deserving:
Display logo and link to who gave it to you.
Nominate at least 7 blogs.
Add links to those 7 blogs.
Leave the nominees a message that they received the award.
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I would like to pass this award on to the following:

Andi at Fingerprints On The Glass

Teresa at Living the Life

Nancy at Too Wonderful For Me

Dianne at Glasses of Grace

Holley at Windy Corner

BAD, BAD COMPUTER !

A few days ago, my computer, my near and dear laptop, had a meltdown. I was furiously typing away when all of a sudden, it decided to take a nap. It went to sleep, and would not wake up. Panic time!
I immediately called the resident computer guru in my
house, Alex, and he came to see what he could do. "Mom," he said, "I don't know what you did this time. I can not get it to come back on. Take it in to the computer store, and let them see." I was sad. I was upset. I was devastated. I really had done nothing different than I had always done. Really! I could just hear Don. He takes great delight in saying to me..."Tonja, you could tear up an anvil." And I must admit I do tend to be unlucky around my electronic toys. So, the next day, I took it to the store and asked them to fix it. And I waited...for almost a week. They called me and said it was ready. ( Now, I hate to tell you the rest of the story...I really do. But, I try to tell the whole truth...as much as I can...so here goes. ) I went to pick it up. "That will be $50.00,"he said. Well that was not as much as I expected. I figured it would be much more than that. "What was wrong with it?", I asked. "Well, we ran a diagnostic check on it and everything checked out fine...nothing was wrong," he said. Did you hear that? NOTHING WAS WRONG!!!I felt like my computer was doing this to me.

How could I have thought something was wrong? I don't feel quite so bad since Alex thought something was wrong, too. The nice man at the computer store said that maybe I should consider getting this computer instead of the one I currently own.
Very funny.
He kind of smiled when he said it, but I could tell he was serious. So, I paid him and took my computer and left. Getting in the car all I could think was, "I am dumb as dirt. Who takes their computer in to be fixed when NOTHING is wrong with it? Who does things like that?" I bet the computer fixer was thinking,"Hey, easy money...hope she comes back!" However, the worst insult came when I got home and booted up my dear friend and this message came up...

How tacky is that? I mean, I have told this computer all my stories, showed it all my pictures, introduced her to all my friends. And then she says things like that! Oh well, I think I'll just go to the mall. I'm looking for something...

LAUGH FOR TODAY

"JUST HAVE FAITH"

Has anyone ever said this to you? "Just have faith." Well, it has been said to me many times and I confess I have said it to others also. I posted about a wonderful book in the comments of a dear friend's blog today, and I just felt that maybe I should share this with all of you.

I have faith in God. I believe in God. I trust Jesus, and have accepted Him as my personal Savior and Redeemer. I believe God is who He says He is, and I believe He has my life in His hands. I believe I will live with Him in Heaven one day. But, all this being said...it is sometimes hard to have faith. There I said it. It is not always easy for me to remember all the things I know and believe. But, having faith is not about the way I feel. It is a matter of trusting God to do what He says He will do...regardless of how I feel. It is choosing to believe God's promises over my personal feelings.

I recommended this book to my friend, and I would like for you to know about it as well. This is one of those life changing books...and I consider it to be one of the most important books in my Christian life. Now, there is nothing controversial in it at all. It will not challenge what you believe. Nor will it cause you to doubt your convictions. But, it will help you to realize that His Word is truer than anything we may be feeling at the moment.

The book is titled FAITH IS NOT A FEELING. Sub-titled: Choosing To Take God At His Word. The author is Ney Bailey. It is published by Waterbrook Press, a division of Random House...copywright 2002. I purchased my copy from Lifeway Bookstore several years ago. I have not seen it there in a while, but I do know they will order it for you. It is available on Amazon.com for $13.99...I just checked. If you put the title and author in the search bar at the top on Amazon, it will take you right to it.

I have personally dealt with many things in my life where the outcome has looked bleak and trusting was not always easy. One of the things I pray for is that my faith will remain strong. I never want to doubt what I believe. And I know satan would like nothing better. A Christian song that I can not remember title or author has some words in it that resonate with me often."...give us faith to be strong and strength to be faithful...". We are fighting a battle with the enemy daily, and I want my faith to be strong and unwavering. This book has helped me to see that it can be...even if I don't feel like it is. Let's be real, friends, we would all like for others to think we have that most perfect relationship with God that never doubts or never gets hard. We would like others to think we can quote the Bible verse for verse and always be able to recall a verse to go with each situation. Well, I am here to say to you...I can't. It is hard for me sometimes. And there are times I can only recall the feeling of a verse and a few words of it. I know I am a sinner saved by the grace of God, but my walk with Him is not perfect...and at times, I falter. But, I know He loves me and is ready to help me be the person He created me to be.

I think you will enjoy reading this book. It starts off with a disaster the author went through, and goes on to explain what I feel are great truths. If you choose to read this, please let me know what you think. God bless you.

THAT"S A BEAUTIFUL THING...#25

I stopped by Mom's yesterday, and she took me on a tour of her garden. These flowers were just so glorious that I wanted to share them with you. It reminded me of a song Mama taught me when I was a little girl...the words were:

Oh, who can make a flower?
I'm sure I can't, can you?
Oh, who can make a flower?
No one but God, it's true!


These are beautiful examples of God's handiwork! Enjoy!




This Zinnia plant had 16 blooms on it!

GOING TO THE LAKE ON A GOLF CART!

We spent the 4th at the Lake, and Praise the Lord, Alex was able to go with us. Mom and Dad came, Ian was there and our friends Buddy and Tina and Jim and Willene were with us too.
Alex decided to take a drive on the golf cart. Remember now, he has VERY poor vision and sees double at a distance of about 8 feet. But, will you look at this? His Granny and Pop are right on there with him...going where he goes...whether he knows where he's going or not! I'd call that love and devotion, wouldn't you?

FYI: They made it to the Lake, and all returned safely!

GOOD NEWS !!!

My sweet friend, Sherrie, who has been navigating the road to adoption in China, has finally gotten the news she has been waiting for! I am so happy, I could sing...I could dance...I could turn back flips...well, maybe not the last one, BUT...I am really happy. She should be able to go and get Sweet Sophie in a few weeks! Isn't that sooo exciting! OOPS! there go my feet again...trying to dance:-).

Hang in there family, you'll be travelling soon! Wish I could tag along!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, IAN !!!

We tend to do our special days all in a wad in this family! the 8th was Mom and Pop's anniversary...they have been married.....I don't know...close to 60 years, I think! Then Pop's birthday is the 9th and Ian's is the 10th...which is today!

I just have to tell you that this is a very special young man. I have seen God's hand on him throughout his life. He loves to have fun, works hard, loves his grandparents, and is always willing to lend a helping hand...well, unless he has a more pressing engagement...or if he's sleeping in...but, he will get around to it eventually! ;-) Most importantly, he loves the Lord. He lives true to himself in all situations, and follows a stict moral code. I never worry about his behavior, or actions when he is away from us...he has proved himself too many times.
He is the last of my children...and a surprise blessing from the Lord! He is adored and treasured by all those who know and love him!

Happy Birthday, my son!

[pictures with: Santa, Aunt Joy, brothers, friend, Houston.

A SPECIAL DAY

Today has been a good day! First I met some dear, dear friends this morning for breakfast. We met at Atlanta Bread and talked and talked and talked. We haven't all gotten together in too long. Ann and Kathy used to teach at the same school I do. Wow! Those were the days! Then Ann retired to lavish love on grandchildren, and Kathy, the artist, moved on up to the higher grades...teaching art. Judy used to live across the street from me, and we have shared some of life's sweetest and most trying times! When I was pregnant with Alex, she copied me and got pregnant, too...with sweet Dana. Those two were like brother and sister. Dana with coal black hair and Alex with pale blond. They went to school together, and were true buddies! Then, I had Ian, and Judy was there to help me cope with that.(see Ian's story...sidebar) Judy taught public school 7th grade for25 or 30 years and retired a few years back. She even went with me when Alex was in the hospital in Dallas.
It was great to hear about all their children and grandchildren, too. We made plans to get together again soon. These ladies are true friends and so important to me. Pictured below is Ann, me, Judy, Kathy.
Before I left Atlanta Bread, I got them to pack up a box of goodies to go. I hurried to Pop's to wish him a Happy Birthday! Whew! Just made it before he went off to work! Isn't he the most handsome man? I love him so dearly! He is 82 today. Can you believe it? He doesn't look a day over 70!
Then I had to take my dear, dear, laptop to the hospital. Late last evening, she had a little spell. I knew something was wrong...it was so unlike her. She blinked and sent some some kind of code word...and then she just closed her screen and refused to open back up. I coaxed and coaxed...even Alex came and tried with his most convincing words. But all to no avail. So, she is at the hospital as we speak...and I have not heard from her as to a diagnosis yet. But, I just know she is lonely there and wondering where I am. We have such a close relationship...she follows me around every where and even climbs in bed with me when I need to rest. What a trooper...I'm just praying for a quick recovery so she can be back by my side soon.
So. I am talking to you friends on my desk top....which has been having its own issues lately. Alex said all along it was nothing serious, and he could fix it. Well, today was the day it finally had to be fixed...I could wait no longer. Well, I had no idea that this would lead to open-case surgery. Do you know what the guts of a computer look like? Well, I do now and it is not pretty. But, being the strong women I am...I even helped with the procedure. We took out a shiny round thing and Alex sent me to Wal-Mart to get another one. I did and he replaced it. We closed the wound and put it in place. Then, he turned her on...and...all was NOT well. She flashed this urgent message that we had not connected a major artery back to its rightful place. So, we had to go back in. She flashed again...we went back in...again and again and again. Finally on the 6th time...we got it right. We sent her to recovery and when she booted up...it was with a smile on her screen! Now, all was well. So, I am speaking to you through her and she is glad to be of service. She is even showing the correct time and date now. Wow! Modern medicine!

One other good thing...Adam had to have surgery on his nose last week, for the second time in 3 months. He went back to the doctor today for a check up and the doctor is very happy with the results. He should be able to breath much better now!

O.K. I am thankful for all these things...and YOU, too!