Company's coming...

I have insomnia. My parents are coming today for a visit and I'm literally so excited I cannot sleep. I get this way everytime they visit...it's a childlike excitement like children on Christmas Eve, waiting for Santa. Of course, mom and dad don't usually come bearing gifts, but what they do bring to my life is worth so much more than physical presents. They fill my home with love and laughter and fun and my heart with much joy! Can't wait to see them! Blessings...

Warming Up

It's another sweltering day across the south. Our thermometer on the back porch is registering at 101 degrees and we are at the foot of the Peaks of Otter. This is considered 'the mountains'. Aren't we supposed to be cooler than this?? Today has me questioning my decision to NOT put the pool up again this year. What was I thinking? I could be floating around in the nice cool water right now instead of holed up in this house, afraid to stick my head out! I hope I remember this important thought next season when I'm deciding what to do. Either that or invest in a membership at the local YMCA. Blessings to you and yours...keep cool!

summer loves

walksonthebeachdrivingwiththewindowsdownGOINGBAREFOOT
wearinglighterclothesFLIPFLOPSWATERMELONsunbatheingCAMPING
swimmingFISHINGSTRAWBERRIESpicnicshomemadeicecream
COOKOUTSgardenfreshvegetablesSunflowersCOUNTYFAIRS
hummingbirdsBUTTERFLIESoutdoorweddingsHoneysucklesfireworks
SleepingwiththewindowsopenSMELLOFFRESHCUTGRASSmorningglories
HAVINGCOFFEEONTHEPORCHhangingclothesonthelinelemonade

May your summer be filled with all the things you love!

Rolling out the red carpet...

Yesterday was the 4th of July. Usually by this time of the year, in North Carolina(where I'm originally from), summer vegetable gardens are now steadily producing great tasting tomatoes. On the other hand, here in central Virginia, we are normally about 2 weeks behind that. My husband always says, "if you get a ripe tomato by July 4th, you're doing good!" Well, we got our 1st ripe tomato yesterday, so I guess that means we're doing good...and here at our house, the tomato is King of the garden! So cheers to all you southern tomato lovers out there...here's to slicing that booger afterwhile and throwing him on some burgers! Blessings!

Savoring...

I love early mornings! Physically, the early mornings are not best friends w/ my body. Ahhhhh...but, mentally...this is truly the best part of my day. I spend alot of my time alone due to my DH's work, and having a teenager w/ his own life. But, there's something special about the stillness of the waking day and the quietness that it brings with it...the beauty of life in general, blooms w/ all it's glory. This is the time I savor...before the problems of the day have had time to present themselves. This is the time...the world seems most innocent. This is the time...coffee tastes best. This is the time...I feel the most blessed!

passing on...

It is w/ a sad and heavy heart that I write this today...I just learned of the passing of a loved one about an hour ago. My aunt had quite the following...people who not only loved to be near to her, but also loved the ideal of her and what she stood for in the community. She raised a family of 5 in a Christ filled home, in a 'worldly' society without ever wavering, once, away from her beliefs. I'm sure during her 87 yrs., she saw many changes come to her life. What a wonderful celebration, upon seeing her life partner of 60 plus yrs. again, this morning, in Heaven! I can only dream of such a day...
Until next time, blessings!

What am I doing?

Oh my goodness, it looks like I've become a once a month blogger. This is not good and not what I had intended either. I can only hope to do better! Here's something fun I found on Will and Joanna's blog.(I think they borrowed the idea, too!) Sums it all up; what I've been up to...

Buying: back to school stuff
Considering: opening an Etsy shop
Cooking: making Damson preserves
Eating: home grown green beans and tomatoes
Googleing: hardly ever google
Learning: "I can't have my cake and eat it too"
Listening: David Nail
Loving: quiet time in the early AM
Planning: trip 'home' to NC on Labor Day wk'end for family barbeque
Reading: Prayers
Watching: Big Brother
Wearing: Capri pants w/ a short sleeve blouse
Wishing: the distance to S'ville was shorter
Thankful: for the trip to Tennessee w/ my parents & Zach
Writing: sympathy cards
Hoping: Zach has a great senior yr in HS

Still have lots of prayer requests, including unspoken ones for my niece and nephew. And I cant forget my special friend, Nikki, who needs a kidney and who is having surgery for an ovarian tumor at the end of the month. I love all my family and friends!
Until next time, blessings!

Zach, Nicole and Bryson(photo taken on Zach's b-day)


Whew! Temperatures have definitely risen over the past week across the US and here in the south, we remain dry as a bone. And with no significant rain in the forecast, our garden is truly suffering the effects! At this time, last year, we were harvesting our first tomatoes. This year, we got a later start in planting and now with the dry spell, I'm wondering if we'll have any vegetables come from it! But, there's no need in worrying over it because if it's God's will, we will be blessed with fruits from thy labor. If not, there won't be any canned veggies, or homemade pickles in my house this winter!

There's been much ado since I last posted and a couple of milestones were reached, one being my son turned 18 years of age on June 2oth. Where did those years go, I ask? All too often, I look at him and in my mind, I still see him as a toddler. This gets weird at times, especially when I see him driving off in his truck...in diapers!!! But, that's okay...he'll always be my 'baby'!

Speaking of toddlers? Bryson continues to grow and is walking up a storm! Don't get to see him that often, but I hear he's into everything, but the kitchen sink!! There's nothing slow about him, either! His mom continues to suffer with back problems and is probably facing surgery in the near future. I imagine it's pretty tough looking after a 1 yr.old, when your back feels like it's breaking in half! Prayers continue for my sweet niece...

Til next time, blessings!

blessings of Spring...

Wow...June 1st? Springtime is my most favorite season of all and it's fastly coming to a close real soon. I haven't posted in a while as I've been busy trying to enjoy every minute that I possibly can of this period of renewal. I wish I could bottle up and save some of the beauty that abounds during this three month span...the new growth and blossoms of trees and shrubs, the blooming of new plants and flowers, the appearance of bees, dragonflies, fireflies and butterflies, birds scurrying about to build nests to house their offspring...the smells that lightly fill the air like honeysuckles and yes, even freshly mowed grass! And I love the temps for this time of the year, too...right before the days get HOT and stay that way, for what seems like forever. The humidity is lower and the warm sun on your face and shoulders just feels heavenly. Yep, this is the time that I want to get outside and stay there! And I've been having some really good days as far as my health goes...Fibro and Artie seem to prefer springtime, too!

Life has continued to go on while I've been 'playing' outside. Mom and Dad have had a successful season at the garden center. It's been a very busy time for them and I'm looking forward to them wrapping up so they can get here for an extended visit with us.

My favorite little fella, Bryson, celebrated his 1st birthday! He's learning to walk, taking a few steps here and there and learning to balance himself, steadily upon his own. Of course, he prefers to crawl, as this is a speedier means of transportation for him!

My teenager will celebrate a milestone of his own in a couple of weeks, turning 18 years of age. Seems like just a few months ago, he was just beginning to take his first steps! His junior year of high school is also coming to a close in a few days. He'll be a senior (WOO HOO one more year to go!!!) when school starts back in August.

My nephew, Nick has just moved into his own place. This is the first time for him, living away from 'home'. He's very excited and I wish him all the best!

My cousin Joanna, whom I love and respect so much, became engaged last week. This is very exciting news for the family. I've not yet met this wonderful beau of hers...well, her fiance', now...but I know that if she thinks that he is worthy of her hand in marriage, then he has to be one awesome dude!! So, I trust her judgement on this and wish them all the happiness and blessings that their lives together, can hold. Congrats to you both, Joanna and Will!

Ok, I think this is pretty much an update on the latest happenings and news surrounding my household. As you can see, just another few good reasons that spring is such an exciting time. Until my next post, blessings!

**Still praying for my good friend.("Nikki needs a kidney")
"Nikki,you never wander far from my thoughts...love you girl!"

A bigger storm...

As the days and hours continue to pass by so quickly, I find that my desire for mingling amongst our society continues to wain, as well. My tolerance for idiotic behavior is very much below the normal range of the average person.
I don't think I'm holier than thou, nor do I believe that I am superior to the next person. I just don't have the patience for ill mannered people.
One of my favorite quotes is " Be kinder than necessary " because you never know how big the storm is that a person might be weathering.
Til next time, blessings!

Keep on keeping on!

If I've learned anything at all since I've gotten older, it's that you shouldn't stand idle for too long, or life just might pass you by. Usually this happens without receiving any kind of notice or warning on the subject also. You wake up one day, look in the mirror, and you don't recognize the person eyeballing you back. The questions begin rolling around in your head as this person continues to stare a hole through you...What happened to my hair?...How come I haven't done many of the things I planned to do years ago?...Is that a skin tag on my neck?...Where are the people I was certain would remain constant in my daily living?...What...gray hair in my brow?...Where did my son's childhood go?( he's approaching 18 )
There are many reasons why your life might take unexpected twists and turns; some you can manuever and change. Some you can't...as it is when suffering with an auto immune syndrome, like Fibromyalgia.
I think the uncertainity of the days ahead are the most frustrating to me. I want to work in my garden. I want to craft. I want to travel. Such simple things to most, but extremely difficult for me due to fatigue, pain and soreness. My plan is to keep on keeping on and allow God to help me lighten the load.
Til next time, blessings!

I just celebrated another birthday on Monday and although 48 is not considered over the hill...you could've fooled me! My body seems to think otherwise, so I'm constantly trying to remind my limbs that they certainly have many more miles to travel, yet!
Anytime, the good Lord blesses me with another year, or another day for that matter, I am thankful for it. I physically suffer with pain everyday. If its not my muscles aching with soreness from Fibro, its my joints hurting from Artie. Then there's my mind...aching from worry. It is so much easier to state the phrase "don't worry about it" than it is to actually practice it. I guess we tell people this so that we can take some of the pressure off of them, by doing it ourselves. I am a worrier...I admit it, but I'm also a warrior. A prayer warrior, that is. Prayer is awesome! And right now there's several people needing prayer and healing...
This morning, Bryson's dad is having major disc surgery. I pray that God will guide the surgeon's hands through a successful surgery and grant Dallas a speedy healing.
My nephew, Nick, suffered a seizure this past weekend and spent two nights in the hospital. I pray for answers as to what caused this along with safety and healing for him, as well.
My friend, Nikki, is in the latter stages of kidney failure and is needing a transplant. I pray that God will give her body renewed strength and her mind the renewed faith to assist her on this journey...may her wait for a 'match' be short.
My friend, Rhonda, is experiencing several personal issues and is in need of prayers on her behalf. I pray it is God's will to help her seek answers and relief from these problems.
Zach is participating in the physical driving stage of his driver's training at the present time. I pray for his and the teacher's safety on the highways along with a passing grade and a driver's license upon completion of this course.
Consider assisting those you know and love, who may be experiencing difficulties, with prayer. Til next time...blessings!

prayer for my bff...

Life is crazy! It reminds me of an amusement park ride...there are highs and lows...ups and downs...certainty and uncertainty. That uncertainty or the 'unknown' can be a thriller for some, but for most people, it brings on an enormous amount of stress and anxiety.



I received news yesterday of a woman who needs a kidney transplant. The news hit really close to home and stung like a fighting hornet. Not only is this woman a beloved wife and mother, she's also a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a cousin...and, she's my friend! Not just my friend, but a friend to many.



I don't remember the exact date and time that Nikki and I became friends. However, I can tell you that for the past dozen or more years, she and I have remained in contact with one another...the last seven years, through long distance contact...exchanging and sharing news of re-marriages, new jobs, both of us experiencing moves away from our families and friends, and yes,..even health issues between us. (and maybe a secret or two..ya know?...girl stuff!) Oh, and problems! It's all in there somewhere...



Somehow, the problems that troubled me before yesterday, like, my health issues and catching the teenager doing things that most teenagers are going to try behind your back, don't seem all that bad. There again... there's certainty and uncertainty. I'm always going to be a mom but will I always be a friend? I'm asking God to help me with that one this morning...help me with obedience in prayer and to support Nikki in anyway I can through this crisis. If you believe in the miracles that come from prayer, I ask that you join me.

Til next time...blessings!

Any the wiser...

This post should definitely come as a surprise to my couple of followers! I like to keep people on their toes. To say I've neglected South of my heart as of late, would be an understatement. I could say that I've been so busy with the production of my handmade items, that it's left me little time to blog. Or, maybe some great and exciting, life changing event has taken place in my life to keep me preoccupied. But, the truth of the matter is, I've been bad...very, very bad. In all honesty, I've chosen to spend my 'winter blue' days on Facebook. This application of splendid technology, that I despised so much in the beginning, has on many days, this past winter, been my saving grace. I'm addicted to the games! FarmVille in particular...but I enjoy too many of the other games, as well. Sure, it pleases me to keep in touch w/ family and friends, but the ultimate enticement and pleasure for me, lies in the apps! Family and friends are the added bonus!

I have a birthday coming up this month and I've discovered that even though I may be growing older...I'm not neccessarily any the wiser! Til next time...blessings!

Heros vs Villians...

Time slips away from me so easily these days. It's hard to believe that today is the 22nd day of January. Weren't we just celebrating Christmas, yesterday? Almost a month ago, now...but there is an upside of this...for me, anyway. Won't be long now before the new season of Survivor: Heros vs Villians starts. I believe it begins on Feburary 11. Can't wait! I absolutely love this show, no matter how corny I sound or may be.

We have a little ice this morning, in the form of freezing drizzle. School was cancelled and I'm sure traffic was a headache for all commuters, trying to get wherever they needed to be. Cancelling school was a headache for me! Like my mom always used to say, though... I'm "old enough for my wants not to hurt" me.

Til next time...blessings!

30 yrs. young...

No...not me. Oh, what I would do if I were 30 again!? I'm speaking of my niece. She turned 30 yesterday. We had a lil gathering for her at 'home' in NC, on Sunday. It was a good time, great fellowship and good food! I got to spend some time with my number one lil man, Bryson who is just before being 8 months old. He's at a funny stage right now...where everything he does amuses us all. We just ooh and aah all over him like a bunch of crazy people. But, that's just the way my family rolls...but, if you're not from this bloodline, I'm sure if you were watching from a distance, you'd wonder if all our papers were in order!(for admission to the crazy farm)
So, even though I saw her and celebrated with her, I'd just like to say, Happy Birthday, Nicole...after all, you only turn 30 once! Hope you have many, many more and I'm around to celebrate each and every one of them!
Til next time...blessings!

More snow on the way...

After 14 inches of snowfall just two short weeks ago, mother nature is raring to go again. We're not expecting anything like that last storm...only a coating to 2 inches, but still...we live in an area that usually is lucky to see an inch a year! Not to mention, we're in the midst of an artic freeze...not above freezing during the day and down in the low teens at night. Even I...you know, the one who breaks out in a sweat if someone breathes...has had a chill or two.

Speaking of cold and hot.....
There is a constant disagreement in my house over the thermostat setting. I'm a firm believer in setting it at a certain degree and then..."leave it alone"! DH, on the other hand, is forever freezing and 'bumping it up a notch', as he calls it. He walks by and bumps it up...I walk behind him and bump it down! I have pleaded w/ him to put on layers, as I have taken off all I can, w/o being obscene in front of the teenager! Nor, would I want either of them to laugh themselves into a tizzy! Doesn't do a bit of good, though. So, I don't expect to be held responsible if either of them fall over dead, laughing..at all my wrinkles and rolls!...I'm just saying!
Til next time, blessings!

A day of firsts...

Today is the first day of January...the first day of the new year, 2010. It is the first day of a new decade, if you will. For those of you who make new year resolutions, today would mark the first day of the start of those resolutions. I don't 'do' resolutions. My philosophy is "don't make'm...can't break'm"! In the past, I don't remember ever keeping a resolution and seeing it through. Maybe I'm weak. (actually, I think my will power meter is BROKEN!) Maybe I'm not traditional in my thinking or maybe I just don't get caught up in all the hype of a NEW year. However...this year could be an exception.
I have loved this blog from the very first key that I typed...now, almost a year ago. I admit, I got sidetracked with life's little inconveniences over the past 2 months. Well, some were small...others appeared huge, at the time...but, whatever the size of the stepping stones, they've led me back here. It all started as a suggestion that came from one of my physicians. He recommended daily journaling as a way of coping with living with FMS. He meant for me to write in a diary or journal, quietly away from the world. And I did. For a few months, anyway. That was before I discovered that I didn't want to sulk, pout, hurt, ache or feel REALLY GOOD, quietly. I wanted to try living out loud, or at least, in the hopes of my words reaching, maybe someone else, who might be experiencing the same pain...that invisible kind. Because that's what Fibromyalgia is...invisible! To the average person, I look well and healthy. You cannot see my illness. But, believe me...it's there. I live with the pain and fatigue every , single day.
I'm back to blog again...maybe not every day but certainly much more often than I have been. It's not my new year's resolution. It's a promise I've made to myself to help my body and my mind cope in an uncertain time...with that being said, I'd like to make a toast...(lifting my glass of coca cola)...May this new year...the first day of a new decade, hold many special blessings in our lives and may we find much joy in every day! Happy New Year!!

A fall Sunday...

I've been really neglecting my blog as of late...to be perfectly honest, I haven't felt as though there was anything interesting enough to write about. Nothing but FMS and the effects that it wreaks upon my body, and blah, blah, blah, blah blah!

I haven't been getting out that much lately, because I haven't felt like it or wanted to do so, but, this morning, I talked my dear hubby into playing hookey from church and we rode out to eat breakfast and took a ride along the parkway. Simply beautiful fall colors and breathtaking views. Of course, I didn't leave the house without my camera. Below, you can take a gander at some of the numerous pics I shot.

On the way to breakfast

Getting on the parkway

Sign at one of the look-outs

I was trying to capture the valley below...didn't realize until later how I captured the unusual swirls in the clouds

Look-out shot

Another sign

Look-out shot

This was right before we got to the Peaks of Otter...we live at the foot of the Peaks

When we reached Sharp Top Mountain...we took this dirt road back down the mountain. It's a narrow and winding one lane road, with very sharp curves. I snapped this pic as we had just traveled this part of the road, and were rounding one of those sharp turns





Another look at the narrow, rocky lane

An old barn we passed in the woods

An old truck frame on the side of the lane


An old abandoned farmhouse with gingerbread trim






We stopped by the grave of DH's father. He's buried in an old country community cemetary. This old church sits across the road from it and is about 200 yrs. old.

One of the old markers at the cemetary. Not the oldest, but the oldest one that you could still read clearly

A view from the back of the cemetary






Another view fron the back. You should really click on these photos to enlarge them for a better view




We're on our way back home

This is the road we live on





We're going to turn into our driveway which is right across the road from that white house up there on the right

This time of the year, you can hardly see our driveway for all the fallen pine needles








And...we're home again. Til next time, blessings!

An excuse for slacking...

I am really getting slack with this blogging thing. I should be ashamed but, I'm not. If you remember back some time ago when I mentioned 'changing up meds'...well, I've pretty much had the summer from hell! Since the end of June, I have been on a new drug for FMS, called Savella. At the same time, I began weaning off the antidepressant, that I had been on for years. Woohoooooo, people...what a ride it has been!
I can truly say with great confidence that I pray I never have to experience anything like this EVER again! The physical sickness that came with the withdrawals from this medicine, were almost intolerable. There were literally days when I prayed to die. The headaches and dizziness were bad enough, but when the nausea kicked in, too...well...let's just say, there was never a great day. There were hardly any good days, either.
Most of my summer is foggy to me because I slept through a huge portion of it. I slept, not only because I was sick and 'drained', but also to keep from actually experiencing the withdrawals I was having. I think I may can sympathize with an addict, going through rehab.
Today, as I write this I can comfortably say, that particular drug is out of my system. Praise the Lord! Hopefully, brighter days are ahead for me. Til next time, blessings!

Animal behavior...

This was taken this morning...It's Toby laying in front of our door. I guess he does have the 'sense to come in out of the rain'!
Toby asleep in the sunshine...don't know what that hind leg is all about!

This lil' one has practically taken up residence in our backyard.

Doesn't stay in one spot very long...

...eating acorns

This group(usually at least 4 of them) can be spotted twice a day, feeding under the oak tree.

Took this a couple of weeks ago. At our place, it's rare to see 2 hummingbirds sharing the same feeder, at the same time. Normally, they fight one another for a drink.

But, these two lingered for the longest time...long enough for me to grab my camera and take several photos.

It's quite interesting to watch the habitual mannerisms of an animal. Not sure if I'm up for doing a post on human mannerisms just yet! Til next time, blessings!

I do know what day it is...

*NOTE*
I apologize for the confusing dates for the previous post. I had started the entry on the 9th, and saved it to draft, before discovering that I couldn't figure out how to change the entry date when I published it on the 13th. Another example of a 'no-say' situation, because if I had my way...editing would be much simpler!!

So long summer...

It's the thirteenth day of September and Labor Day has passed. I've put away my summer 'whites' until next year. What a bummer! I don't know what to wear, now that it's still very warm, and I can't wear my favorite white capris. And shoes...gosh, I practically LIVE in sandals! And the day is very near that cooler temperatures will settle in and threaten physical harm to my naked toes and feet. I'm never happy to see summer come to an end. It's like a disturbance to everything about my physical (and mental) being.
Fall is my signal that old man winter is on his way, as well. I think it's rude that he continues to visit, without invitation. It just reminds me of yet another situation in which I have no 'say-so' in. And as the days continue to roll past(and I age with each one of them), I discover there are more and more of these no say situations. I guess, next, I'll have to start Christmas shopping, huh??...
Bah...humbug! Til next time (I vent)...blessings!

procrastinating...

Usually...I'm 'johnny on the spot'! (or maybe in my case, 'joannie'?)But, lately I've become a...(I don't want to use this word, but feel I must)...procrastinator! Ok, there it is. I said it! I don't even like the way the word sounds, and I especially don't like that I've become one! Be it 'age' or 'fibro' or whatever excuse I can come up with, I find myself more and more, putting off until tomorrow, what I COULD DO TODAY! I can give examples, too...
Cleaning- "it doesn't smell"!
Dusting- "well, you can't write your name in it yet"!
Laundry- "you don't have ANY clean underwear"?
Cooking- "wonder if they'd mind another sandwich tonight"?
Buying Groceries- "let's see...we have bread, milk and butter. What can I make out of this for
dinner"??
Watering my flowers- "I'll water after dinner". Then after dinner..."It's sooo hot and sticky out, I
believe I'll wait til morning"!
Crafting projects- "ya know the last time I cleaned, I put that away somewhere. Now, I have no
idea where it is"!
Sending cards- "But my card doesn't say 'belated'"!(birthday)..."I'm sure they're feeling much
better by now"!(get well)
Canning veggies-(from the garden) "How many cans did you say we had left from last year? I
doubt we'll eat that many over the winter"!!
Ok, maybe I'm not this bad yet...but I can see a significant change. One that has me asking somedays..."what have I become"? Certainly, I have some work to do on my behavior. Is today the 31st???............I must call my mom to wish her a Happy Birthday! Or dang it, I may just go all out and sing it to her. But, I AM GOING RIGHT NOW to do it, before it suddenly becomes a 'belated' one! Til next time, blessings...

"Guess who's coming to dinner"?...

I'm excited! We have a guest coming for dinner tonight. Joanna has recently returned back home to Virginia, after spending two years in Budapest, Hungary, as a ESL teacher.(that's English Speaking Language for those of you who don't know) I saw her briefly last summer while she was home on summer vacation. I have not seen her since that time, so I'm excited to see her and hear all about her last 12 months in Hungary, her new job (Liberty University), and her future studies and plans. Oh, and did I mention she's family?? She is...she's a cousin of mine. But, even if she wasn't 'family', I'd still love her anyway. She's a remarkable young lady...one that I'm proud of, and proud to know!
Til next time, blessings!

more pics from Tenn...

The Smokey Mountains are beautiful...
Mom and me...(ok, nobody reminded me to take off my readers!)

Everything american made in this store...thought the name and colors of their sign was cool.

Dad can ALWAYS find someone to talk to while you shop!

You can still buy flour and cornmeal here...ground on location.

I spotted mom through the dancing bears shrubbery...

Wonderworks...a place for the odd and extraordinary. We didn't go but ate at the Tony Romas right beside the place, so I had to take a picture. Sometimes I feel as though my own house is turned upside down!!!

Score!! Zach shopping for 'manly' things...

Are the weeks growing wings??

It's hard for me to believe that today is Thursday. I wonder if somehow the weeks have wings...the week days appear to roll around faster and faster. Only a few weeks left of summer but it seems like just last week, it was springtime and we were eagerly buying flowers, hanging baskets, and planting our garden. Gosh, where does the time go?? Oh, how I wish I could bottle up some of that time and save it! DH just ask me yesterday if I was planning on having a corn shock this year for fall decoration...meaning , he wondered if I would use the fading cornstalks from our garden. I'm like, "huh"?? Is it actually time to be thinking about fall? I'm afraid it is but I don't want to give up summer just yet. I admit I suffer from the extreme temperatures, but there is just something exuberating about spending time outdoors. So many things that summer provides for me that old man winter can't!...like, homegrown food, flowers, hummingbirds, that wonderful smell after a rain shower, suntanning on the beach, swimming in the ocean and feeling the fresh green grass beneath your toes, are just to name a few. To think that all this shall soon come to an end, until next year...well, I don't want to think about it. Not TODAY, anyway. Maybe, tomorrow. Til next time, blessings!

hectic week...

Me with two of my favorite guys. This was taken outside of a place we always eat at, "Bullfish Grill"...yummy place to fill your stomach.
View of the pool from our balcony...this is where Zach 'lived' while we were there.

Mom and Dad...they're just too cute!!

Dad on our balcony reading his morning devotionals.

'Sleepyhead' still snoozing...

I am back home after almost a week in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. It was a good trip and we all had a lot of fun and many more laughs. When travelling with my dad, it's like packing a bucket of fun and taking it with you! There is never a dull moment in his presence. He works hard at making every day a 'barrel of laughs'.

Since arriving home on Friday, I've been nonstop with activity. We literally passed Zach off from one vehicle to another, so that he could take a camping trip with his buddies...kinda like a last 'blowout' before returning back to school. After getting him on his way, there was the unpacking from our trip and washing up all the dirty laundry. The yard needed mowing. The garden needed attention. My flowers were suffering from several days of neglect. Not to mention, of course, the house needed cleaning. Thank God, I'm feeling much much better!!

And this being the last week of freedom before school starts back, Zach and I have many things to do...we need to buy school supplies(yes, I've waited til the last minute!), he needs a new bookbag(deserves one after carrying this last one for 2 years!), groceries (with the planning of school lunches) need to be bought, I promised him an afternoon movie at the cinema over a month ago(then I got sick), we both have dentist appts. on Friday. I'm also thankful that we did the shoes and clothes shopping while in Pigeon Forge at the many, many outlets they have. But, still, it's going to be a busy week, I see. So, I'm going to leave you now with a few pics of our trip and then I'm going to get started on my 'to-do' list. Til next time, blessings!

Blessings...

This afternoon, we leave on vacation. It's a much needed get-away...one that I don't plan on letting go to waste. So, I leave you with wishes for a great week and many special blessings for your days, until I return on Friday.

Good days...

I like structure and prefer having a schedule, to not having one. I guess you could say that I'm pretty much predictable in my comings and goings. Recently, though, everything seems somewhat off course since my doctors 'switched up' my medications. With that in mind, I've decided to discontinue the wealthy Wednesday posts for now.
I understand that a lot of folks get a rush from the "thrill of the unknown". As for me...not so much. The unknown intimidates me, especially when it involves my brain and medications. But, the past four days have been really good...no nausea, no headache and no dizziness. I'm so thankful for this since I leave this weekend for Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Prior to that, I was not looking forward to this vacation and had given much thought to cancelling the trip. Today, I find myself getting excited, and counting the days until Saturday.(it's 2 more!!) "Bring it on", I say. "Bring it on"!
Til next time, blessings! And thank you sweet Lord, for all of mine!