Welcome Summer

1. It's officially summer (in the northern hemisphere anyway). Which summer month is best and why?

July-it's my birthday month!!  (LOL)

2. Can you swim? How did you learn? June 27th is National Sunglasses Day. How many pair do you own?

No-I can't swim....well I use to swim but had a scary accident in the water.  I am now terrified of the water.  I learned to swim growing up.  People tell me I should get over my fear but I still have the scary accident image in my mind every time I go near the water.

I own three pairs of sunglasses.

3. What characteristic do you judge most harshly in yourself? How about in others?

I try to keep things I can't control in control. In other words, I try to control what I can't.
I am bad when judging others, especially their morals.  I definitely have a hard time accepting some people's morals.  Hub and I have long night discussions on our front porch about this nightly.

4. Robert Frost wrote the now well known poem entitled The Road Not Taken. What's a road (literal or figurative) you've always wanted to travel, and where do you hope it takes you?

I want to travel, but hub doesn't.  A road I must travel by myself and have the courage to do so.  

5. Popsicles-yay or nay? If you answered yay, what's your favorite flavor? 

Oh yes-no particular favorite flavor.

6. Brexit-on a scale of 1-10 how knowledgeable are you on what's involved here? (1=very knowledgeable and 10=what's Brexit) Is this news you'll follow or is it something you think won't impact your life in any way shape or form?

I have kept up with it some.  I have no idea if it will impact my life.

7. Share a favorite song on your summer play list.

Any type of Beach music...

8. Insert your own random thought here.

After a full week of Vacation Bible School, I feel lonely.  What a great week we had.

Good morning!

Last week was full of a fun-filled week of Vacation Bible School.  The theme was Ocean Commotion-and sometimes it felt like a commotion!  There were over 200 kids and 100 adults each night.  I was with the 2nd and 3rd graders and averaged 37 kids each night!  What a blessing to see children worshiping God!

 Measuring a cubic inch--learning about the Ark.

 Love this little man with all my heart.

 Grandson and his friend-posing.  The headbands wore sold to help a 3rd grader who attends our church-fighting cancer.

 Hub and grandson.

 There has to be a funny picture at the end.

Grandsons posing.

Sunday after church, Hub and I drove to Boone, North Carolina. Just a beautiful, warm Sunday.  We walked the streets of this college town and did some shopping.  We saw this cute little pizza and brewery, Lost Province,  and decided to go in and grab a bite before heading home.

This was shrimp pizza.  Never had this before and I must say was different but good.

Not much a fan of brewery beer, but this was better than I thought it would be.

Hub loves his Tilley hat.

I am just happy to relax!
A much needed relaxing Sunday!

Wishing all a Blessed Week.   A little video of grandson at Bible School.Enjoy!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Thanks Joyce!

1. If you could sit beside and/or jump in any lake in the whole wide world today, which lake would you choose and why?

Just because I have wanted to travel to Ireland, it would be Lough Neagh. 

2. What's your favorite 'fruity' drink? 

I like raspberry tea and Arnold Palmer.

3. I read a list here of thirteen things to do right now to simply your life. They were-

clean as you go, re-evaluate your relationships (cut toxic ties), unsubscribe (too many blogs and websites), de-clutter, write down your daily goals, reply to emails right away, forget multitasking, create a morning routine, re-evaluate your commitments (which hobbies and responsibilities are most important to you), say no, clean up your computer, and plan your day ahead

Which of the tasks listed do you currently find most helpful in keeping life simple? Which item on the list should you adopt in order to simplify your life this month?

I definitely have a morning routine-having coffee reading my daily devotion and writing in my prayer journal before I begin my day.  When I don't do this because sometimes life does happen, my day is awful. 

Re-evaluate my relationship would be so helpful but when someone holds the 'trump' card it is difficult to do. Stepson has decided that I shouldn't keep grandson this summer.  For 7 years, I have kept grandson.  It was over something I said.....Step-son is living with a woman who has been in prison for stealing $75,000, has had two of her children taken away from her (never allowed to see them), has been in jail since serving prison sentence, when argues with stepson stalks him, and numerous other things.  I guess I was still stressed out when finding out that daughter may be having another heart surgery, so on the way home from school, I told grandson if Kristy (stepson's live in girlfriend) hits him to let him to let me know.  Well, he told her this..and so my mouth got me in trouble again!  I just don't want her to mistreat him....which I have heard she does,  For example if he doesn't eat a certain food for dinner, then he has this food until he finishes eating this. Hub and I are stressed to the max--and we know hub's son holds the 'trump' card!  We don't know which way to turn if there is anyone that we can talk to that can help.  If someone has been in this situation, then let me know what course of action you took.

4. What did you do the summer after you graduated from high school? 

The summer after high school, I did not get a summer job.  I helped my father on the farm, and got ready for college.

5. Are you a fan of podcasts? If so what's a favorite? 

I have heard about podcast and how so many people have and enjoy it.  Me, I still hit the scan button when something is on I don't want to listen to.

6. Do you think today's fathers have it harder, easier, or just different than fathers in the past?

I think today, fathers are just different from fathers in the past. Most fathers today aren't the breadwinner in the family. and they take a more active role in the involvement of their children.  I wouldn't say they have it easier or harder just different.

7. Tell us one way you're like your father? Or not at all like your father if that's easier?

Definitely like my dad.  I have his personality and his morals.  My father passed away at the age of 47.  Hub and I had only been married 3 years when he passed away.  I miss him a lot and there are some days I wish I could just sit and talk with him.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Wishing all Fathers out there a Happy Father's Day.  Just a thought....Father's Day is a man-made day set aside to honor Fathers.  If you still have your Father around, make everyday Father's Day for him.

wednesday hodgepodge-glad to be back

First, I am glad to be back participating!!!

1. I read here a list of 13 things you should do in June. I'm paraphrasing a little but basically...

Go on a road trip with your best friend, pick fresh strawberries, host a garden party, take a morning run, treat yourself to a flower bouquet, spend a whole day hiking, discover a new coffee shop, try a new ice cream flavor, read at least one book, visit a Farmer's Market, make a swing for your home, and visit a new city. 

Which thing on the list do you most want to do? Of the activities mentioned, which one holds the least appeal? How many on the list will you attempt in June? What's one thing you'd add to the list?

Go on a road trip with my friend and visit a new city!

Least appealing would be hiking.
I would probably attempt at least 4 of these...I love discovering coffee shops, reading, visiting Farmer's Market, not a runner but a fast morning walker.

2. What's something you could do today to feel more peaceful? 

Quit worrying.

3. June 7th is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day. Are you a fan? Swiss mocha, rocky road, chocolate chocolate chip, peanut butter and chocolate, or a dish of plain chocolate...what's your pleasure? 

Rocky Road in a waffle cone.

4. If you came with a warning what would it say?

Make sure she has fixed this before, it not you are in for a 'real' treat!  All know I am not the chef of the family, but I do like to try new recipes.  However, it never turns out right....not even close.

5.What's the most interesting website you've visited in the last week? 

Being the last week of school...I haven't been on any new websites.

6. Spring, summer, autumn, winter...which season are you? Why? ..

I would say I am all seasons.  Springtime I am jumping for joy with all the new birth springing up, Summer-is when I feel I can rest and be ready for fall. Fall is when I am just in awe of all of God's beauty.  Winter-I am like a kid when seeing the first snowfall.

7. "You lose sight of things...and when you travel, everything balances out." ~Daranna Gidel

Would you agree with that sentiment? Explain why or why not.  

To some extent...you don't realize what all you have at home until you travel.  This is the first thing that popped in my mind.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Please whisper a prayer for my sweet 28 year old daughter, Amanda.   Her last heart check-up was not the best...and 10 months is a long way for this Momma to wait!!