Summer is almost Gone

How can it be the end of August already?  How is that even possible? 

This month totally flew by, of course I did spend a week doing some census stuff.  It was the last (possibly) round and we had to contact people five times, unless you could tell it was vacant then you could find a neighbor.  I was like a legal stalker, we only had six days to make six contacts, every day I was at the houses that seemed occupied to leave a notice of visit.  I was fortunate the first day I was able to get a third of the cases finished and another third the next but after that it was slow going.  I mean when the animals and children in an area recognize you from your daily visits it is pretty sad.  It was also during the heat and humidity, I came home daily soaked in sweat.

We are going to the truck and tractor pulls tonight.  What a country girl thing to do, but my husband is excited.  I will hopefully have video to share.  I think my nephews would get a kick out of them.  The younger ones wouldn't want to sit through the whole thing, heck the teenagers would probably get antsy to but it is pretty cool to watch the tractor coming down the line, smoke pouring out the stack.  It is just so time consuming when they have to prepare the track for the next pull.  Okay I get a little antsy and Todd last time, I thought I would need a muzzle.  Yet we are going again.  What a nice wife I am.  ;-)

I am excited because my brother is almost finished getting his new home in shape to allow them to move into the house.  He managed to stop by this week for a short visit when he was making deliveries.  He is one pooped pup.  He works full time, then works on the house, and gets any repairs or apartments ready in the complex where they live.  Talk about burning the candles at both ends.  He won't know how to act with only one job and a finished home.  Well, he will still have a few projects to do but maybe he can take a little time to enjoy his family as well.

Todd's brother and his family are moving back from Arizona.  They will be renting next to his sister.  They are going to have a time keeping those teenage boys of theirs in line with them living next door to one another. 

Well, I have things to do and places to go. 
Have a Great Day Y'All.

Dog Days of Summer

Well, it certainly seems to be the dog days of summer.  The heat and humidity are great for the tomatoes and peppers in our garden but not so great at energizing the rest of us.  The dogs and I have spent the last couple of days in front of the air conditioner instead of out in the yard or on the front porch. 

When Georgie, our porch hound, doesn't want to hang on the porch it must be hot!  Now, we are thankful that we are not in Texas where my brother and his family live with their triple digit heat, but someone turn down the humidity.  I am grateful for the warm weather as last summer was kind of chilly and did not allow for wearing shorts very often.  If it means a few humid days so be it, I just wish Todd were home so we could go play at the beach.  It just isn't the same alone and my friends are working so......Gosh I miss having kids in my life (who live nearby).

I hope that this weekend is sunny, warm, and not so humid as TJ and his wife Tiffany are home (he is in the Navy stationed in Florida) and there is going to be a party at Joahan's.  Yes, the child who back in May of 1996 invited me to his VIP day at school is now married and with a ready made family as his wife has a three year old boy, Kyle.  I have not had the pleasure of meeting Tiffany yet and am looking forward to the event.  So say a little prayer for us that there is no rain as this is an outside event.  Joahan lives on a lake so if it is too hot we can always take a little dip in the water.  :-)

Hope you are enjoying your summer.  Again if you need some relaxation by the lake give us a jingle and set up a time to come by and we will have beach time and a picnic.

Lots of Love
Penny

ps: I was so tempted to spell porch pourch, it is an inside joke and I know not all would have gotten it.  Just a little Thumb humor.

Beaching It!

Well, let me tell you this is the year to go to the beach.  The water is almost like bath water.  Todd and I spent a couple of hours in the waves yesterday.  What fun!  A little sand in the bathing suit is the only price paid. 

It reminded me of being a kid and playing in the water all day.  I did not want to come out, even though my fingers and toes had pruned.  The sky was deep blue, the water churned to a greenish blue with light brown from all the sand.  The waves rolling in breaking in small white  caps and the seagulls crying out there song.  What a perfect time to play.

We frolicked and played in the water like a couple of oversized children; Laughing, splashing, and riding the waves.  I had forgotten how to keep from getting the water up the nose, what a burn.  I snorted a lot of water.  I also forgot how much exercise you can get from horsing around in the water.  Ahhhh,  I felt all loose muscled and good from the workout and I slept like a baby last night. 

Why do we not do this more often?  Do we take it for granted?  I guess we have but I hope to not do that for the rest of the summer.  More beach time is definitely on the agenda, especially when it has so many benefits - exercise, fun, and relaxation all in one! 

I tell you this is a summer to come and visit us.  You are invited, come make some good memories!! Bring your swimsuits and beach towels and spend some time in the sun!! Relax, get exercise, get sun, eat some Barbecue, and have fun, fun, fun. 

Well, the ball is in your court...the beach ball that is...give us a call and set aside some time for a visit and some fun.  We would love to have you!!!
See ya Soon,

Penny & Todd

Larry , one of God's warriors

July 2nd we said goodbye to Larry, Todd's step dad. He passed away June 28th and as heaven rejoiced, we wept.  He fought quite a battle in the hospital to stay here with us after serious surgery he unfortunately got an infection.  He may have lost the battle but he had already won the war. 

It was a great loss to those who knew him as he was such a great man.  He was a rock, one of the few people I know that had control over his tongue.  He was someone who did not let the small stuff bother him, and most stuff is small.  He was even keeled (except in euchre games), with a warm smile, and a word when you needed one.  He was someone you knew you could always count on .....no matter what the situation. 

His funeral was a testimony to the man of God he had become.  He did show Jesus to others in his concern, in his presence, in his speech, and in his willingness to always go the extra mile without complaint or thought of self.  He impacted greatly many peoples' lives as attested by the number attending his funeral.  Those who spoke gave examples of what a friend he was and how he had positively affected their lives.  Todd, Steve, and Marna made their mom proud, in sharing stories of their step dad and how much he had meant to them.   Michael, his grandson, made a moving speech on how Larry made him realize he should not let what others see as handicaps or differences affect how he saw himself.  That he should not let that hold him back from giving his best shot at any endeavor.  He did not want Michael to think lesser of himself but to realize God knew what he was doing when he created him.

It made me think of a poem about the dates on our headstone of birth and death. That they are not as significant as what we do with our dash (the time God gives us here).  Well, Larry truly was a man who lived life the way we have been instructed in the new testament.  The fruit of the Spirit was evident in Larry's character (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control).  He loved God, he loved his neighbor as himself, and he helped others.  He was not selfish with his time or his affection.

I know how blessed our family feels to have had him in our lives.  I know Carol was blessed to have such a fine husband, when she went to PWP (parents without partners) she truly got the cream of the crop.  The time he spent with those of us who loved him are cherished memories and examples of the way we should all strive to live. 

And until we meet again in heaven we should remember to

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 

1 Thess 5:16-18

Pitter Patter- We love you and miss you so much

Pitter Patter has passed away.  I can hardly type it, it hurts so much to say she is not here.  This photo is of Pitter at around 6 years of age.  It is one of the best photos I have ever taken.  It really shows her and how very beautiful, regal and alive she was.  She fought the good fight.  She had a few mini strokes that diminished her capacity to get around.  The last one unfortunately left her unable to stand on her front legs.  Her personality was still there in full force and that made it difficult to help her into the heavenly realms.  She still talked to us, ate and drank.  She still watched what was going on around her but was not able to go explore. 

Pitter did not want to leave me.  We were together for almost 19 years and I think she knew how much I depended on her to be there to help me through the good and bad times.  I spent almost half my life with Pitter and she was there when the worst events of my life occurred.  She would greet me at the door when I got home from work..  She would tell me when she needed food, water, or a little extra attention.  She would tuck me into bed curling up next to me for 10 minutes while I prayed and settled in for the night.  Then she would be off to do her nocturnal thing.  In the morning she always could sense when my eyes opened and she would meow her good morning. 

The last few years the Pitter had gotten to where she said "Now", "I Love You", "Mama", and "Hello".  I wish we had taped all of them but most times as soon as you popped your head into the hallway and she saw you she would stop, figuring you got the hint and were coming to take care of her.

There is so much more I want to say about this fantastic cat but my heart hurts too much this morning to get it out.  I have cried a bucket of tears and just when I think there could be no more to cry, here come more.  My heart feels broken but of course it is not.  Pitter will always be part of me and she will always be in my heart, right now that part of my heart cannot take the physical separation so it feels like it is broken.  Right now I can see her in my minds eye in the firebird next to me, her face is up to the vent, which is pumping out cold air and her hair is blowing back, her blue eyes are alive and full of mischief. 

God please have my best friend waiting for me when I get to heaven.  For how could it possibly be heaven if my guardian angel from earth were not there to greet me. 

Enumeration

Enumerating can be exhausting.  In and out of the vehicle all day, trudging to neighbors to find out if the home is a summer home only, and filling out form after form.  My neck aches, across the middle of my back is sore, and my shoulders, I can't even express the fatigue/pain.  If my vehicle did not need major engine assistance and I could drive it rather than the truck (which requires a little extra umph to get in), I don't think I would be half as sore, at least through the shoulders.   Having to pull myself up and into the truck just adds to the muscle strain.  Anyone know a good masseuse??

Well, I am going to go put my feet up (they don't actually hurt) and relax.  I hope y'all are having a great day!!  We had sun, rain, and sun again today.  Happy Spring!

Ramblings

My life is made more interesting by sharing it with my dogs and cat, well yeah, my husband too.

The other day I hear Todd just laughing in the kitchen. When I entered the kitchen to see what the fuss was about Boo was looking at Todd and sending side glances to the kitchen counter. Now you know that a dog looks with a side glance when it does not want to convey a message of challenge, what might the dog be looking at that he was concerned about a challenge you may wonder? The wheaties box with Albert Pujols(baseball champion) was facing him. He was trying to figure out whether the face looking at him was a threat or not. I am certain he could not figure out why there was not an unfamiliar human smell in the room. It just tickled the heck out of Todd.

He is a smart and funny dog, our Boo. He will watch airplanes fly overhead. He notices a fly or spider on the wall or ceiling. Most dogs don't really look up all the often, but our Boo he looks at the whole picture. Truly it is a gift to share life with such an interesting creature.


I read a book this week that I think is a blessing. Rooms by James L Rubart. Thought provoking, yes, spiritually challenging, yes, a little mind boggling, yes. It is an interesting take on Matthew 16: 25-26. I would highly recommend reading it or seeing if it is available in audio book if you are not much into reading.