Flip Flop Floozie

I have moved

2010-05-15T13:40:00.001-05:00

Please follow me to http://ramblingsofamiddle-agedgoddess.blogspot.com/

I have had a time blogging so thought if I changed my name...Come see me

Fun at my house

2010-04-24T14:27:00.007-05:00

Long time no blog..Once again!! Seems like I am getting REALLY good at this!! My life is so full anymore. I thought the older you get the slower you get..Well that is not the case here.

I go every day doing something. Yesterday morning I was up and running over to my daughter's home once again to take care of the kids. I took them to school like I do about twice a week. Only this time Garrett had a breakfast for parents. Since mommy had to work...guess I am next best for now anyway!! The kids had a project. They had to first pick a state, then do a newspaper...headlines, job articles, sports article and all the columns like a realy newspaper. Garrett choose Illinois. The article that you see below is his job offering. I told him that I would like to have this job and I would work ONLY one day since the pay was so entirely GREAT!! He did really well on his newspaper. They had the make up the articles with the help of the computer for research too. Glad that I got to go...

Our good friends Charlie and Kathy are here from Virginia. They are missionaires at the ETS (Equipping the Saints). When they come here to Savannah to visit their supporters they stay with us. I feel so thankful to have them here! We have had a great time as we always do!!

Kathy and I still need to go see a movie!! HOpefully that will be soon. Yesterday we went and visited the new Live Oak Library here in Savannah. This picture above is on the steps coming down from the 2nd floor. Garrett just cannot be good even in a picture!! He had to do his Saturday Night Live position...I guess!! It is a beautiful library!! Gorgeous!!

In this picture you see Kathy and Charlie looking at a big animal book that Garrett was really enjoying. He loves animals of all kinds. Last week when I was at his home, he started screaming outside. Maddie and I ran outside. Garrett had a big long black snake pointed out to us. I wondered what to do. He ran in the house and got his gun, a knife and whatever he thought he could use. Finally the poor frightened snake ran into the bushes. We have to get used to those things here in Georgia.

Here is Madison in front of one of the trees in our new library!! She is growing up so fast. Soon she is going to be taller than her old grandmother!!

Charlie bought Garrett a young inventor's kit. You can make all kinds of things with magnets, wires and etc. Last night Mike helped Garrett make this fan thing where you make the fan go around with a battery and wires. I am not much into stuff like this but Garrett loved it and anything that Mike helps him with...well that is just GREAT!! He loves his grandpa!! Isn't that wonderful?

Family is the most important thing to me in this life. I am on my way back to Illinois for a week on the 4th of May!! My mother is getting her right knee scoped!! Dad says that he cannot take care of her. He is having a lot of troubles remembering things. He is 91!! I hate it knowing that he is experiencing this. He only wants me there to help so I am going!!

My life seems to be filled lately with so many people wanting me....I have heard about the sandwich generation and I guess I am in that one now!! Just another phase in my life I reckon!!

Hope my blogger friends are doing well in their own worlds right now! Mine is just plain B---U-----S---Y!!!

This is my world....FLIP FLOP FLOOZIE!!

Thought for today: "May you be overwhelmed with the grace of God rather than the cares of life."

Our home in April 2010

2010-04-11T15:02:00.006-05:00

Just really proud of the way our house looks today!! Mike and I worked on it and cut down a big oleander that was dying on the right hand side of our house. Someone planted it UNDER the porch..DUH!! We think it looks better. Found some plants at Walmart on sale too!! I love flowers can you tell!!

This is looking at our home from a bit of a different direction. The April flowers are just gorgeous here right now. My favorite month in Savannah is April

My azaeleas are really showing their glory this year. Behind them are gardenias which will bloom all summer long!! I LOVE their fragrance!!

All else is going well here. Mike is home today and tomorrow!! We are getting ready for a garage sale this coming Saturday!! That is so much WORK..another four letter word in our world!! Smile!! We need to get our garage CLEANED out!! Tomorrow is a NO SCHOOL day and daughter works so we have the kids all day!! Plus I have to work in the afternoon so Gpa is going to be watching the kids for a few hours for me!! Love sharing this responsibility every once in a while.

Our son in law, Roger is coming home this Wednesday to stay for a few days. They have had several look at their home but no contracts yet!! The right one WILL come along!!

Hope you are having a wonderful and blessed weekend!! We are!!

FLIP FLOP

Thought for the day: "People will forget what you said. People will never forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel." Go out and spread this!!

Savannah NOW

2010-04-10T13:52:00.007-05:00

Just wanted to share some of the beautiful sights here in Savannah right now!! April is one of the prettiest months if you ever are thinking about visiting here!! Flowers everywhere!!

Me AGAIN!!

2010-04-09T09:08:00.004-05:00

Wisteria at my neighbor's home

Some have been asking me..."how come you aren't blogging anymore?"...Answer because I have been so darned stinkin' busy!! That is my answer and it is the truth!!

Seems like all I do is take care of grandkids, work, bible study, take care of grandkids, sleep and eat!! That is about it!!

I miss blogging and I miss reading others blogs...My life has just FILLED up since I turned 65!! I thought I was supposed to relax!! Smile!! Not happenin'....

Life has been on the fast track for some time. I just discovered that I am now in the "sandwich generation". I know what it is but now I know what it REALLY IS!!

I am trying to burn candles with more ends than two sometimes!! Hubby is very busy with his new job and is being successful at the ripe ole' age of 65!! Mature workers are GOOD WORKERS!! They have ethics when it comes to work!! They also know that they cannot quit or they will not eat!!

I enjoy working at Curves. I have been working out there for 5 years now this past week. This is the longest that I have ever stayed in a place that has that big work...EXERCISE...in it!! It has given me endurance, disipline and determination which are good qualities to develop!! I mostly enjoy when a member comes in and I get to weigh and measure them!! I get so excited for them that you would think I had actually lost the weight and inches myself!!

Our home is still on the market and I think we should just take the sign down and wait a bit!! Our daughter and her family are really struggling to get theirs sold!! Roger is in Illinois working and that family needs to be together. I am not going to like it when they move but I know it is for the betterment of that family. The kids need to attend better schools and the Illinois schools are tons better than down here.

April is here along with the Azaleas and the Wisteria!! My favorite time of the year!! I have some gorgeous salmon colored azaleas!! I bet downtown Savannah is gorgeous right now because those are all mature flowers!! The weather has been great!! Our air conditioner went back on when I was struggling to cook supper one night!! Could not stand the heat!! Spring is here and summer is just a step ahead!!

Having a lot of deaths around here which is very sad!! Parents in Illinois are not doing great and so that is a concern for me!! Other family members are having problems!! The devill is doing his best right now in some families!! He knows how and where to hit!!

Me I am very happy right now in my life!! I wish that things could just stay the same but in this life they just never do...stay the same.

On the light side: We have several male neighbors next door. They must have a dog. I was outside planting and pulling weeds. Along the side of my house they have let their dog "do his business"....very bad!! I tried to clean some up and noticed spaghetti; bubble gum and a condom in that mess. My two grands were here. I told them to be careful about playing on the one side of the house. They came running in saying that they saw a snake skin in that dog's waste!! Sure a snake skin!! I am so glad that they are naive and do not know the difference!! I wanted to remember this to let them know one day when they get older and know the difference between a snake skin and a condom!!

Well, need to study Jeremiah now!! We are really into this book. He was quite a prophet to people that would not listen to him...Sounds just like today's world. No wonder he was called the, "weeping prophet"!!

Have a wonderful weekend!! Your blogging friend...still..really!!

FLIP FLOP!!!

Thought for the day: "Remember, every problem has a gift for you in its hands!"

Family; fighting cats and my flip flop world

2010-03-03T09:27:00.003-05:00

Another dreary day here in the South Eastern United States!! Just hoping for some sun later on today!! It seems that I don't do well without it!! Just need my sun!!

Things are going pretty well here lately. Mike is loving his new job and had his first sale this past Monday!! He was so excited and of course I told him that I knew he would do it!! He wants so bad to be able to make this job work. We both know that God gave him this job because how many 65 year olds do you know that have a completely new job in this crazy economy? Not many..right?? He had two more window jobs yesterday that have not sold yet and a fence job today that he is hoping to sell. It just takes time and he is a very patient man!!

Our new kitties are still doing their own fighting!! I am wondering just how long this is going to last but have to keep a positive attitude that they will be become friends one of these days. Annie is only 3 but she looks at this new kitty, Lilly like she is just completely aggravated with her. Annie actually screams at her just like a woman's scream. It is bone chilling!! The first time I heard it I thought someone was really hurt and hurt badly!! It was just Annie telling Lilly to get out of her way!! For a bit Annie was not even eating but she has started to eat now. She realizes when the little one is asleep that is the time to get out and eat and roam. What fun!! Love being the mom of two fighting girls..CATS that is!! This is as close as they dare to get to each other. Lilly is on the left and Annie sleeping with one eye opened!! Smile!!

Our house is still on the market and will be for some time I am thinking!! We may reduce it this Spring. Our kids have reduced theirs and are hoping for some traffic soon. I think once the weather gets to be warmer that things will start. Our neighbor sold hers but she had to give it away. We are NOT going to do that not this time!!

Our son, Jon has moved to Texas now and likes his new job. He started this past Monday the 1st. He had a long trip from California and also with his finace losing her son it was a hard trip!! He is lonely but I am hoping that he makes friends soon. We are so proud of him for landing a new job in this economy. So both of my "men" are doing fine now!! Praise God!!

Me..well I am feeling so so much better. My wrist still hurts at times but it is getting better every day. My knee is still not looking great but the doctors say there is nothing that can be done for it. I just have to be patient and hope that is goes all the way down. It really does not bother me. I go to Curves 3 times a week and so both my wrist and my knee are getting the exercise that they need. I am back to working again pretty much part time but working!! Good to have some money of my own once again!! I really do love working at Curves. Such nice people there.

Guess our great and wonderful president was here in Savannah yesterday. I did not have any
desire to see him. Many did though. I have seen Nixon and Reagan guess that is enough for me. They are just ordinary men who have somehow landed the BIGGEST job in America!!

Been studying Matthew and also found this great bible that I am now having my devotions from. It uses both the old and new testament plus a little devotional for every day. It is really a good way to read your bible. It is called, " Everyday with Jesus Bible". I am really enjoying it.

I have been doing a lot of reading lately too. Seems like I just get to reading and just want to keep going. We have an outlet mall here in Savannah that has books at WONDERFUL prices. I went out there a week or so ago and bought 5 books..hard backs for $8.00. I picked up a great book called..."The Spirit of Sweetgrass". It is by Nicole Seitz. It is the story of Essie Mae. She sits along side of Highway 17 by Charleston, So. Caroling and makes her baskets out of sweet grass. If you would like to read a very light, funny and great book, go pick this one up. You will laugh and also cry through it. I dearly loved it. It is right up there with my favorites!! I am now on another book called, "Plague Maker" by Tim Downs. I love it when I can find books that are good and there is no offensive language in them. I also finished, "Shutter Island". It does have bad language but it was quite an interesting and thrilling book. Would love to see the movie!!
Get to reading, it is such a great way to learn new things!!

The Sunshine Award and other news

2010-02-23T16:48:00.003-05:00

Today I received this Sunshine Award and would like to pass it on to other bloggers that i feel always bring SUNSHINE into my life when I read their blogs.

I would like to pass this onto the following:

Lazy Daisy: She helped me get my blog up and going!! Her Mr. Wonderful came up with my fascinating name!! I can never change this because no one would know who I am...thanks to Mr. Wonderful!! She has a wonderful sense of humor. I always wanted her to write a book. I told her that I would buy it!! That is the best reason for writing one!! Thanks through Daisy I have met so many wonderful bloggers from all over the world.

My Canadian Friend: I was so happy when I found this friend!! She has a great hubby that she has had to care for because of his chronic pain. I found out right away that she also loves cats and well so do I for sure!! I love reading her blog (when I can) and keeping in touch with her. I have never met her but have talked to her here on the computer through IM's. What fun!!

Barb: I first met Barb at Curves here in Savannah. She and I just became friends very easily. She even lives close to me. She was interested in my blogging so one day I got her set up!! She has been blogging ever since. Barb is a very sweet and happy lady!! She always brings Sunshine to me when I am with her or when I read her blog!!

Melli: This is a REALLY fun lady as many of you know that know her. We had a blogging babes week here at my house and had a ball. She even let me color her hair!! She writes in a very funny and relaxed style which I just love!! She is a good friend..so this Sunshine award should go to her...

Denise: This lady is someone that i would love to meet!! She takes care of both of her parents which is a completely full time job!! She and I have been friends for some time too. This is what I dearly love about blogging..meeting these sweet people that I would have never met any other way!! Sending Sunshine your way....

Pea:
This sweet lady lives in Canada also!! I love the Canadian bloggers!! She is a very giving person and is always giving away gifts of which I was once a winner. I don't remember how I met her but I have loved going to her blog all these years now and enjoying her life right along with her...

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In other news: It has been a long time since I actually blogged!! Many things have happened..some fun and some not so fun like the news we received this morning from our son, Jon in California.

He is engaged to a beautiful lady named, Maria. She lost her 30 year old son yesterday suddenly. They are not sure why yet as they will be doing an autopsy soon. They are all just devastated of course.

Jon just landed a job in Texas and will be leaving for there this week. Now he is torn with leaving Maria and trying to get to Texas to start his new job this coming Monday the 1st. This has been a terrible shock to this family. Jon said Oscar was like a son to him so this is not a good time for our son.

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I finally HAD TO CELEBRATE that 65th birthday with wrinkle cream going on my face as quickly as I could get it there..No really, I did not feel good on my birthday. I think this one really got me and of course I LET it get to me. I am now on the other side of it and living to tell about it. I guess it did not hurt!! I am still the same lady!!

Mike is doing well and will be starting his new position this coming week. He has been going back to school which I am sure at 65 cannot be the thing we all want to do...he is very willing and is putting himself out there for the both of us. What a great hubby that I have!! Course anyone that has ever read this blog of mine knows how I feel about him..Fortunate, lucky, blessed and certainly in Love with this man!!

Our two kitties are still having their battles but this mom of kitties is hoping that soon we can get this all behind us and both of our little ones will live in harmony. I have my squirt bottle and when battles happen I am there squirting away!! I talked to them and tried to tell them that they NEED to get along....Hmmm..Wonder if they listened!!

Savannah is into Spring now and oh do I love this time of the year. Usually around here from about Feb till April it is gorgeous. The flowers will be starting to pop out soon. I have seen some of the buds on some trees are already coming alive!! I love living in this state..Hope I get to stay!!

Well this has taken me a long time to get together!! I am not the blogger that I used to be and I know it. I wish that I could get back to reading others blogs and posting every day but that has not happened this year. Life has seemed to get in the way...Oh speaking of life...I am back in my splint on my left hand again...The bone has healed but the cartlidge is giving me fits..pain mostly. I am in this thing again for at least 2-6 more weeks. GREAT!! That big fall of mine is never going to leave me alone.

Hang in there fellow Bloggers

FLIP FLOP
Thought for the day: "We do not stop playing because we grow old, We grow old because we stop playing!! Never be the first to get old!!"....some good advice!!

65...Medicare and Wrinkle Cream

2010-02-10T12:25:00.006-05:00

I've figured out why people get gray hair.

It's from worrying about their teeth falling out!!

Soon OH very soon I am going to be turning 65!! Hm!! Just a number most people say but this time it is MY number and not everyone else's. That does make a difference!! To me anyway!!

I need to see the humor in everything that is going on around me and not take it all so seriously so I thought I would sit down and see what I could come up with!!

"Inside every older person, There's a younger person

Wondering what happened"

Yeap that is me right there in that little verse written by Ashleigh Brillant...with that kind of name guess she has to keep coming up with something good all of the time.

Wrinkle Cream: About 2 weeks ago as I was watching a Dr. Oz episode, he started talking about wrinkle cream. He said that every woman OVER 40 (I am way behind) should start using this but to be careful of what is in the cream. He went on to explain all of the do's and the don'ts...Like a good person in his audience I went in search of a wrinkle cream that I could afford but that stood up to most of his recomendation!!

I walked and looked through all of the creams. There are more of those than there are cold medications!! When I have to look through all of the cold medications I wonder just how you can pick the right one...I am not a doctor!! You can pay almost any thing that you want for this magical cream. I kept looking picking up one jar then another one...putting one back and re-reading all of their claims over and over again. What a decision to have to make just because of some stupid wrinkles on your face!!

They put them in these little small jars. I finally choose one. I took it home and told Mike..."Look what I got today!!" Like all good husbands he looked at this small little white jar and said, "I think you need a bigger one!!" Sure, dear!! I knew that coming from him!! How terrible to hear that from my wonderful husbands lips!!

I am on about week 3 or so...but who is counting!! I am going to look like a 20 year old by the end of this month. Since this is my birthday month I think that would be a GREAT IDEA!! Mike can come home to the prettiest wife with the prettiest non-wrinkled face...oh and neck too!! You apply it to your neck..I guess the rest of you just well ...you know just....

Medicare Card: Tomorrow when I go to the doctor I will tell them that I am now the proud owner of my first and probably my last Medicare card. This is going to be my primary insurance now followed by our secondary!! Yeap it costs a lot to get old!! We are going to be paying more for health insurance than we have ever paid in our lives. Even when we were young and the insurance was cheaper...now you have to have all of this insurance because you are now OLD, wobbly, frail and you are going to need more help at the hospital and the doctor's office with all those bills!! Okay so I know that but I am just not ready for all of this yet. You need this coverage just in case you happen to fall down 14 steps and nearly kill yourself!!

SIXTY-FIVE: I am still young!! At least in my heart I am!! Soon and very soon I am going to reach that OLD AGE plateau of 65!! When I was a little girl and someone turned this lovely age, I figured that they would be dying real soon!! My ideas have changed alot since I am now so close to that age of dying!!

"Growing old is only a state of mind...brought on by gray hairs

false teeth, wrinkles, a big belly, shortness of breath, and being

constantly and totally pooped."

I am back to exercising at Curves and boy...WHEW!! It is harder than it was before I fell down those steps!! I think I knocked something out that night!!

"Life is easier than you think.

All you have to do is:

Accept the possible,

Do without the indispensable,

Bear the intolerable, and

Be able to smile at anything!!"--Source unknown

This is where I am at right now!! God is good and HE knows what my life will be and what He wants for me!!

Bless my blogger friends!!

FLIP FLOP

Thought for the day: "Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional."

Our new baby!!

2010-02-08T11:37:00.012-05:00

Our new baby...Lily!!

Boy how I wish I could get back into blogging. Just so many things going on day by day here that it seems to take the last back seat!! Plus you know my life is just pretty normal keeping busy day by day with the grand kids and now back to working some at Curves. Unless I can think of something that I need to get on a soapbox about well then the rest is all kind of not very interesting to my readers (of which I know are few now)

We do have a new little one here in our home. Don't ever go to PetSmart on Saturdays because that is when all of those that have animals that need to be adopted...COME!! I went and fell in love with a cutie. She is about a year old and is a Maine Coon cat!! Her name is Lily!! I figured that we could not adopt her but Mike went with Becky, Garrett and myself yesterday and well Lily came home with us. She is a very sweet cat. Our cat, Annie, that we have had for some time is not at all happy with this new set up!! She has been hissing and being very unfriendly to our new little Lily!! I just hope that with time she will give up and they can be BFF's!!

Mike is getting close to having his training over. I am sure he is going to be happy about that. We are trying to get used to this new schedule of his. I am so excited when he gets a day off. We try to spend it together as much as we can.

I am still watching Madison and Garrett when their mommy has to work. I go over in the morning and take them to school then go in the afternoon and pick them up. They stay either with me at our house or I take them to their home. Becky comes home anywhere from 9-10:00..then I get to go home. Roger is still in Illinois. He says he loves his job...now if they can just get together as a family again! Not much going on with either one of our homes..trying to see them that is!! I am thinking that Spring will bring a new turn for us!! I would love to see them sell first since they do need to be a complete family once again!! Roger is fortunate as he gets to come home about every month...but then that just makes everyone so sad when he leaves!!

We are having pretty weather with my favorite...the SUN today!! I am not a winter person for sure. I need that beautiful sun to make my day even happier!!

Our granddaughter, Madison had a project at school to do. She had to make a poster about WWII. Since my dad was in the BIG WAR she did her project around him. She did a great job and made it to District here but did not go further. She received third!! Dad made a cassette tape for her and we had a lot of pictures she used!!

Been reading a lot this winter. I read all of the Twilight series and just loved them...Now I am reading, "The lovely bones". It is an entirely different kind of novel but I am enjoying reading it. I would like to see the movie. There are several movies our right now that were books first. I so enjoy reading the book BEFORE I see the movie!!

Not much left in this normal world of mine. I am happy to say that I live normally (whatever that is)!! I know so many people that are having health and marriage problems. I am so fortunate that I am doing great in those areas. I have the best of husbands!! But I have told you that before!! I still do not know how I have been so blessed to have been married to him for these 46 years now!! He is the BESTEST!!!

Off to get some things done today. Like my mother says, "Even if it wrong!!" Hope all is great in your world!!

FLIP FLOP!!

Thougth for the day: "We could certainly slow the aging process down if it had to work its way through CONGRESS!" How true...aptly stated by: Will Rogers

Back in this NEW YEAR

2010-02-01T09:43:00.007-05:00

Here it is February 1st in the brand new year of 2010!! My!! I was so surprised when we got to the year 2000 and now look at it!!?? What a wonder to be living in this time and age!!

I have been so absent...Oh I know...but since my accident on Dec. 10th I have not felt very well nor have I had two hands to type with!! It is amazing how much you do with your left hand even though you are right handed like myself!! I learned how to type with my right hand and then when I got my splint off of my left hand I found myself still plucking away with my right hand. I had babyed that left wrist for so long that I forgot to use it!! Now I am back to typing away and loving it.

My wrist is still sore and will be until the stretching and re learning of it gets back to normal. My knee on the other hand still looks bad but my orthopedist told me not to worry about it. It still has a sack on it with blood hanging there. At least now I don't feel like I am carrying around a sack full of jello. It will just have to re-absorb on its own time.

This morning I went back to Curves after this long absence!! I knew it would be hard and I had to make myself go!! I went around twice slowly and also felt very stiff!! I know that I need to exercise but do I like it?? NO!! Just one of those necessary things that we all really need to do to feel better.

This month marks my upcoming big birthday too!! Really I have never had a problem with birthdays except for a couple that I do remember as a bit tramatic. This one is going to be one of those I am afraid. I will be 65 this month!! Guess I remember being a kid and if someone made it to 65 they were really considered almost dead!! Well i don't feel that way. This morning one of the Curves members said that it was just a number..Okay so just a number!! okay!! I am still trying to convince myself...Don't think it is working!!

We have been good here...Mike has been given a rare thing for his age of 65!! He has been hired through Lowes to do a brand new job that has just been institued there. It is called a Project Specialist Exterior!! Fancy name!! He started on the 11th of January. He has been training for all these weeks and will go into his new job on the 22nd of this month!! He is excited and I also believe a little aprehensive about it all at the same time. Any new job is like that. Only God gave this job to Mike. How many people do you know that get a new job at the great age of 65? Not many right? He just received his first paycheck. We had not seen money from working in about 2 months. We are so blessed that God has brought us through another bad time in our lives. He is just so good if you put your whole faith and trust in HIM and in HIM only!!

I live a lot on facebook and invite you to come and join sometime. It is a great way to re-connect with old friends. I so enjoy having friends and that is just one of the best ways that i have seen.

One time on facebook you were to have your friends leave you a one word about what they thought of you....OH!! But mine turned out great so thought I would share them with you. Here is the list: devoted; devout; cheerful; treasured; encouraging; positive; upbeat; sweet; friend; caring and the last one from my 16 year old granddaughter, Katie..."Oldie"!! Oh well someday she will be almost 65 too!! Smile!! Was really happy with that nice list.

We are having good weather here and are just far enough south and east to miss the snow. We have had some cold weather in the 30's but it usually is sunny so that always is a major wonderful and pleasant time for me. I really love the sun!!

Our home is still on the market as well as our son in law and daughter's home. We know that the right person will come along at just that right exact time. For now we just take one day at a time and go from there. We both will probably have to reduce both homes when the weather really gets nice but for now we are holding on.

Our son in law Roger has moved up to Illinois and is working in an ER there. He comes home about every 3 weeks. I watch the kids on the 2 days that our daughter, Becky works at the hospital here. Madison is 11 now and Garrett is 9!! Our grands are growing up so fast. No little ones around any longer. Sad!! They are all very sweet and great kids but of course I being the grandmother...I am prejudice!!

My blogging has suffered so much but I am going to try to be better at this from now on. Our life is not something that has a lot to talk about but I like it that way..Normal is a good thing!!

Blessings to all of you out there. I know you have had some awful things happen. We even lost one blogger this year....so sad.

Love from Flip Flop!!

Thought for the day:

"Understanding that God is at work in our lives takes the burden of perfection off our backs."--from our pastor Cam Huxford!!

2009-12-28T09:18:00.006-05:00

It is really hard to believe that this is the last week of 2009!! Already!! How did this happen so quickly!!?? Time is just flying by!! This is the week that if you stop long enough you wonder what the coming year is going to bring your way. What will life be like in 2010? How will my life change? What has God got in store for me? I wonder!!

I am so glad that we do not know what lies ahead as the majority of us would probably freak out if we really knew. I don't want to know for sure. Just do like the bible says and go one day at a time. In some cases even one hour or one minute at a time works best!!

I have been thinking back about this year and know that it has been a difficult year mostly for us financially. For others in our family, it has been a very bad year for losing their family members. We all have different crisis in our families. Ours was just mostly in the area of trusting God to provide for us monetarily.

This past year was our 45th year together and God willing in January we will have our 46th wedding anniversary!! We are getting old together and to me that is the "ONLY" way!! We have went through a lot together this year and are still hanging in there once again together!!

We went through no jobs from the beginning of the year into May. I had to have my right knee operated on. It is still not right even with the operation. We picked up my parents and kept them here for a couple of months. We did all kinds of things that they had not done. Mother had her first massage!! She loved it!! We took them home and then came home to more work and trying to hold things together.

Our home has been on the market for some time now but it is not selling and we know that God has other plans for us now.

Two weeks ago, as you know, I had a big fall down all of our 14 steps and now am reaping the pain from that. I know that there is a reason for everything and maybe even this too.

After 5 years of being gone, we found our cat Sammy and now he is living here in our garage and seems to be doing great!! Mike is just in love with this big boy cat of ours. He is huge!! We have not figured out yet how to get him inside because of our little Annie. We are afraid for her. We do not want to upset her wonderful kind personality!! So for now Sam is in our garage!!

Mike has been blessed with a new job that will begin about the 11th of this next month. Till then somehow we have to hang on and pray that all the bills get paid!! So far so good!! We know that God is so good to us!!

I have not been a good blogger in 2009 and have lost a lot of blogging friends but I guess we cannot keep doing what we like all of the time and other things just get in your way...Like say : LIFE!! I think that is what has been going on here with me. I still keep in touch with most of you out there and really do appreciate knowing all about your lives.

Now as we are about to enter a new year I want to let you all know that I am blessed to have had you as friends!! Friends have always been very important to me and I feel that they will be just as important in the coming new year!!

I do wonder about 2010. I know that my Dad is not well and keeps getting so mixed up. My mother is having a time trying to maintain her sanity with this. They will be married 66 years this coming January!! What a message to marriage these days!! No one can seem to stay married but there are those of us that still manage too.

I want to wish ya'll a Happy 2010!! May it bring only good things your way!! Love you all!!

FLIP FLOP

2009-12-19T20:16:00.007-05:00

Here it is a little over a week since my great "fall"!! I think each day that I get just a bit better than the day before. I hate this pain and want it to leave me but I know that I have to just wait it out until my body completely heals.

I have been getting out. Yesterday Mike and I went to see "Avatar" at the movies. We went to the 3-D one. I think that this movie needs to be seen in 3-D to get th actual fun of it!! I really liked it. Think that Mike was kind of on the fence with the whole thing. I am so intrigued at the new way that movies are going. So much imagination!!!

Today I got out a little and also yesterday in the morning we went to Walmart to get groceries. I got their little electric wheel chair thingy and rode it all around the place. That was fun!! I always wanted to do that but never had the excuse...This time I really did!! It is fun to do but at first driving is not that fun until you get "the hang of it"!!! I did a lot of jumping at first...trying not to hit people. I am going to be more aware of those people in those little things from now on. You really cannot see the things on the shelves very well. I would have to stop and stand up and grab and then back down again.

Tonight we went to church. My pain was not good so about half way through I did not feel well at all. Glad to get home and get comfy once again. Now things are better. It is just the pain that I am dealing with now...One of these days it will all be a bad memory!!

Hoping that you are all ready for Christmas. We are as ready as we can be. Oh today I had two very nice members from Curves stop by. They brought me a poinsetta and some baked goods. We really have some great members at Curves. I am hoping to try to work this Tuesday and Wednesday. I have not driven since my fall. I keep feeling like I am going to re-hurt my knee...crazy I know!! I can now finally go down the steps. That took a few days but am fine now. Just a small fear!! Never fallen like this before and now I feel so many things differently!!

Death Wish (NOT)!!

2009-12-13T18:47:00.005-05:00

I have been wanting to write about what has happened to me...AGAIN!! I have been waiting for my left wrist to get better so that typing would be easier. It is better so thought that I would record my adventures since this past Thursday night.

Thursday night, December 10th, I was very happy. That is the night of my favorite TV shows...Bones and Fringe. I had just watched them. It was about 10:30 PM. Mike was turning off the lights so I went back to our computer room to check my email and shut my computer down for the night. I came back down the hall. I thought was turning into our bedroom when it was our stairwell!! I remember putting my right hand on the door frame so I must have led off with my left foot!! I started falling!! I just decided to relax and let myself go rather than trying to catch myself. I must have missed the first4-5 steps (we have 14) and then rolled head over heels. I hit the wall at the bottom of the steps and then flew out the partially opened door that leads to the garage. I remember hitting but never blacked out. Everyone wonders how I did not black out. I laid there and cried. My neck was hurting so I thought maybe I have broken it!!!

Mike came running down and somehow got me up the steps and into our bed. He started putting ice on everything that I said was hurting. I hit my left side pretty bad. My left knee is swollen about 3 times the size of my right knee. My wrist started swelling and of course my neck. The longer I laid there the colder I got with all the ice. My teeth started chattering. Mike covered me up with a blanket and then keep putting hot rags on my forehead. He called our daughter. (She is an RN) She was just getting off work so she flew over. She checked me out and thought if I took pain medication that I would be okay until morning.

Next morning I was awful...sore and felt like someone had just beat me up!! Mike was so sweet. He got me dressed and did whatever he could for me. Both Roger and Becky came over to check me out and thought I was okay. I made it through all Friday and Friday night. Next morning I was still in a bad way. The kids came over to check me out again. They did not like the looks of my knee so thought I had better get to the ER.

Mike came home. He had to go pick up our cat Sammy...get him out of jail. Remember he has been serving time at the vet's office because of biting me. Mike ran and picked him up and then got me dressed and ready.

Off to the ER we went. We got right in because of my circumstance. They put me in a collar cuff on my neck. I was x-rayed, catscanned, and just had pictures all over my body. They wanted to make sure that I did not break anything..ribs, toes, wrist, hips and this crazy knee. They could not find ONE broken bone!! Praise God!! I figured that my guardian angel has really been working overtime these past two weeks.

I have learned the TRUE meaning of TRUE LOVE in these past 2 weeks. My husband has been just wonderful. I have tried to take showers and I almost faint. He is there getting me out, drying me off and even dressing me!! He is right there for everything that I need. I am usually crying but he is there taking care of me. I found out what I always knew but have found out in a new way!! He is just special and entirely in love with me!! I am so special and I feel it from my husband more than ever.

YOu know when we get married we vow"to love each other for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health until death do us part!" Mike has been the ideal picture of that marriage vow to me!! He is just a very special person. I am so fortunate to have married such a wonderful kind man.

Now am I not only depending on God and on Mike but also my wonderful pain medication, ibuprofen and wrapping my knee. I will be okay...IN TIME!!

In the past 2 weeks I have had more x-rays than I could count; 2 catscans; IV; B-12 injection, Tetanus injection and well I know that I am missing something!! OH..yes two splints one was on my right hand for the cat bite and then on my left hand now for my fall!!

I want to be healthy again!! I want to get to feeling good. I have also formed a fear of our steps. I had Mike put up our half door that we had there while my dad was here but now I really need it back up. I have a hard time going down the steps now. I know that I will get over it but for now I have been sitting on my bottom and sliding down the steps. I am just not very sure of our steps any longer.

IN OTHER NEWS!

Mike will find out tomorrow, we think, about a new position at Lowes that he has applied for. I will let you know what happens.

This Christmas season has been very very lean. Each year seems to get worse for this season. Most of our family understands. Our home is still on the market and we are still trying to be understanding of our times right now.

I have learned that I must be needed a little longer here on this planet. I know for sure that God is good!! I am so praying this week will be a better week..for a change!! Smile

FLIP FLOP

My FUN week SO FAR!!

2009-12-03T14:47:00.003-05:00

This has been a week of people poking me, injecting me, x-raying me and well just all around ..."something is wrong with Sandy" Week!!

The week started out on Monday like this: I was fine. The day was going well. Washing was getting done and I was soon off to work. Went outside to get the mail. Stopped and sat on the sidewalk with Sammy. He always sits either right beside me or on my lap. This time I put the mail down and he sat on top of it. I sat there petting him and he had his motor going really well. I got up and reached down to get the mail (that he was sitting on) and he bit me!! I was in his space plus he has been running free for 5 years and is on the defense at all times. I was so shocked that he done that.

I went in the house and ran up the stairs. Went straight to the Peroxide bottle and dumped it on my right hand. He bit me on the top of my right hand. It is just like a big puncture wound. I kept getting dizzy...funny because I never faint!! Had to get my head down between my legs fast. Finally once I got it cleaned up (there was NO BLOOD)!! I put neosporin on the puncture wound and put a band aide on it.

Went on to work. The more I was at work the worse my hand got. The pain was really bad!! I closed up shop about 6:45 and ran over to the Urgent 1 place. They said that they could not treat me but had to send me to the ER. Off I go to ST. Joes ER. I sat there for over 3 hours. Becky stopped by on her way home from work and stayed with me. I got a tetanus injection, anti-biotics and pain medication. I really needed that pain medication. The doctor put my whole right arm down to my elbow in a soft splint. I looked like I was waving to everyone all of the time!! I was to keep that on for 3 days.

Yesterday afternoon Becky stopped by and took the splint off. It is so good that she did because my fingers and knuckles were swollen and it did not look like my hand!! Now I have it all opened up but I am still swollen. Beck said to use my fingers as much as I can stand too. I have only 2 of them now that really are painful!!

Today I went in for my CT scan, drinking that contrast stuff plus had an IV too. So more poking and stabbing me!! I think that I have had enough of needles and such for this whole month...but next Thursday I am back at it again with a colonoscopy!! I should be okay once the doctors figure out how I am working on the inside!! I want this all over with!! This does not make LIFE fun at all...but you might like to know...I am still laughing!! Crying came once when I thought that the county was going to come and take Sammy away. You see he has not had his shots. He has been gone for all these years and honestly we had not got him shots because of lack of funds!! Now according to law, he has got stay at our vet's office for 10 days to establish that he does not have Rabies. After the 10 days he will get all of his shots and we bring him home. What a mess. I know there is no good time for things like this to happen...but at Christmas when we are already down in the finance dept. Well, not to worry...God is good and HE has this one all figured out too.

Off to work now!! Just wanted to get in a little bit of what has been my life this week. So thankful that I can once again type. That was about killing me. I tried with my left hand and well it just took way too long for me.

Thanks everyone for stopping by. I love your comments. Need to get over and visit ya'll and soon...

LOVE YA

FLIP FLOP FLOOZIE

"THE CAT WHISPERER"

2009-11-28T15:29:00.009-05:00

Sammy as a kitten

You have heard of the "Horse Whisperer". Now you have heard of the CAT whisperer!! We have been working for weeks now once we found Sammy, our cat that we lost over 5 years ago. Today we finally have worked until we have Sammy here at our house!!

When we first moved to Savannah we did not have a pet. The year before we had to put our long time friend and pet down. He was about 16 years old and was just really sick. We had Tigger since our youngest daughter was about 8....this was a very hard decision to have to make. Tigger was a good cat!! He had a wonderful life. Sometimes I think that he almost had about 10 lives instead of the usual 9!! He had been through a lot but at the end he was so sick. We all knew him well. He seemed to know English even. At the end when I would ask him how he was he would just look at me like he was begging me to do something. I stopped by the vet's that day and paid for it. I cried through the whole thing. Mike went home and picked him up and just set the cage inside the vet's door and left. We were all in tears and so hated what we had to do.

When we moved here to Savannah we thought the timing was good because moving him would be a hard thing. He loved the outside so much!! Once we got here Mike said, "NO MORE CATS". One day I was getting my hair done. Becky and the kids stopped by saying that they had heard of some kittens that were at our vet. She wanted to go see them so I just could not resist.

We went and saw these cute little gray kitties. They were free of course!! I ended up bringing this cute little gray kitty with 4 white paws home that day. On the way home, everyone tried to name him. Finally we came up with Sammy!!

That was his homecoming day!! He was the gentlest of cats. Garrett and Madison were both little and he just let them hold him and he was fine with it all!!

Garrett and Sammy 2002

We loved that cat and he loved us.

Then we were robbed and he was let out!! We were heart sick. It was just before Halloween of that year. I put fliers with his picture on it in every ones candy that I gave out that year. I contacted some TV stations because I was so mad about getting robbed plus they let our family cat out!! WTOC called on Halloween and asked if they could come and do a story!! SURE!!

That night as all the kids were coming in to get their candy here was the big TV truck parked out front. We had a good interview and they even put up his picture...nothing helped. It seemed like he was gone. We were so sad.

So now FIVE years later I am driving and he walks right in front of me!! FIVE YEARS LATER!! I was so excited. We started feeding him at the home he seemed to have chosen and finally he decided that this is the home where he belongs. We both are so happy!! Funny to see Mike so happy to have him back home.

I forgot that right after I brought him home when he was a baby, Mike ignored him for about 2 days. Remember he had said NO MORE CATS!! He did not want to get connected to another animal only to have it die!! Well after about 2 days he gave in and Sammy had won him over!! Sammy is doing it again too!!

He is about 7 now!! He has grown into a sweet BIG muscular cat!! Today I was outside sitting on the sidewalk and petting him. I looked over at Mike and said, "Now if I could just get him to sit on my lap." It wasn't a second and here he came and plopped himself right on my lap. We sat there for some 15-20 minutes just loving the whole experience.

SO NOW I am the "Cat Whisperer"!! Smile!!!

FLIP FLOP

Thought for the day: "Thank you Lord for watching over your little ones. Thanks for letting him come back to us." Amen

Day After Thanksgiving!!

2009-11-27T18:33:00.007-05:00

Our table for Thanksgiving

Tis the day after Thanksgiving...we are back home and enjoying just being here and being together!!

Yesterday we went to meet the kids and their friends in a campground!! We ate outdoors and had quite the spread!! I knew that my stomach is not in the best of ways lately...SO I only ate one plate which was not really full!! I really do not like Turkey so all I had was the side things which was plenty enough.

Beautiful view of the Lake

I had taken rolls which turned out just awful!! Also took pumpkin and peach pies with whipped cream of course!! We did not have to worry about eating!!

My rolls looked awful

This was a nice campground not too far from here. It was nice because we did not have to drive far at all. It is on a little lake. The kids were having a ball when we arrived. Garrett and his friend Ava were out gathering up all of the little lizards and anything that they could catch. Those two really get along because of their love for hunting and gathering up bugs and such!! They had to show me all of their finds.

We ate about 3:00. We got there just as the turkey was going into the fryer!! Poor thing!! Then it looked like it had suffered a massive heart attack when it came out. I just have never really liked a big turkey like that. I do not mind the sliced deli kind but that is about it!!

What a mess!! I am just not a BIG FAN!!

Afterwards it really started cooling down a lot!! I went for a walk with the kids. They had a neat little beach where they were playing in the sand making things!! We found the prettiest red mushrooms that looked like they had sesame seeds on the tops!! Never seen that before. The longer I live here I discover new things a lot!!

Finally the cold drove us inside to warmer things. We all sat there and watched some good old TV family movies. The kids enjoyed them all. Off to bed early as so many were ready!!

Mike and I slept with the kids in their end of the camper!! Maddie and Garrett were on the top bunks and the old people on the bottom (thank goodness). Sometime in the middle of the night here comes Garrett falling out of bed right above me!! He was fine. I tell you I have never seen Becky move so quickly. She came from the other end of the camper fast and was there in about a second!! Good mommy

Oh I forgot to tell you what we did!! I thought this was great!! When we got to the campground everyone had to go into the McCoys camper and take these cute placemats that Becky had made. Each had one of our names on them. Then we wrote on each on the back something that we were thankful for. It was fun. Then when we started eating everyone was given their place mat and could see what everyone wrote!! I have both Mike's and mine. I am going to take them and have them laminated...I thought it was such a good idea!!

We came home this morning after stopping at a house to do a measurement that Mike needed to get done. No Black Friday shopping for me this year!!

When we got home today Sammy was right here waiting for us. It is supposed to get pretty cold tonight..in the 30's so Mike put a cardboard box with a blanket it in. Hopefully Sammy will go in there and try to keep warm. Poor little guy!

Hopefully ya'll had a great Thanksgiving too!! Isn't it wonderful just knowing that we live in the greatest country!! I am so thankful for that plus my salvation!! I am also thankful for my wonderful family and how God is starting to bring us all back together again!! What a blessing!!

FLIP FLOP

Tuesday Thoughts

2009-11-24T08:28:00.005-05:00

How Pumpkin Pie is made!!

I want to be a better blogger once more so I am trying!! Today is cloudy and dreary once again!! Guess this is winter here in Georgia!! I LOVE LOVE the SUN so I really miss it when it decides to hide!!

Today I am off to see a doctor about my abdominal pain! I was excited that my doctor actually got me in this quickly and now I find out that he is not the best of doctors..Oh, not that he is not a GOOD doctor but my daughter tells me that he is sharp and to the point and not much of a communicator! Well, at least I am going!! I need to get this process started. One friend of theirs went to him and he said that he was a "strange bird"!! Should be fun!! I just want to get some answers and get this whatever going!!

I was supposed to work this afternoon but with my appointment being close to when I go to work, I had someone work for me. Probably a good idea!! I would hate to be looking at my watch wondering if I would make it in time!!

We are feeding Sammy mostly here at our home now. I just get on the porch and yell and he comes galloping across the yards to see us..MOSTLY to get fed of course!! I took some cute pictures of him yesterday....

I was out at the mall yesterday (exercising) and I saw Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. They were in regular street clothes. So i said, Hi there Santa Claus...He just smiled. After that I saw him all dressed up sitting waiting for his kids to come by. I thought that Santa did not come until AFTER thanksgiving? Hm!! I was coming down the esclator and took his picture. He looks pretty good for just a Santa "Helper"!! I would show you the picture but for some reason I cannot right click on my pictures..Oh I can right click just cannot get the CUT function to work!! Hm!! Oh well..

Have a great day!! If you know why I am having problems with the CUT function..I am open to suggestions!!

FLIP FLOP

Thougth for the day: " I wish I had the energy my grandchildren have, if only for self-defense"--Gene Perrot

Long time no blog!!

2009-11-21T13:06:00.006-05:00

Yes, that is certainly me!! I just do not seem to have time for everything anymore. I thought as you age that you had more time!! SURE!! That is a big lie right there..but then again keeping busy is a good, good thing.

First I was so busy crocheting purses right and left!! Now that has all stopped. Over the years I have done little side jobs like crocheting and found out that I earned just enough money to do with it what I wanted. This time I saved along with my purse money and bought myself a new laptop!! I am so so happy with it..BUT let me tell you what happened before I got HAPPY!!

I had researched all kinds of computers. I knew what size of hard drive I wanted and how much memory...so off I went looking!! I found a Sony Vaio that I really liked (it was pink)!! Smile. It had 4 gb of memory and the hard drive was the size that I thought I wanted...plus it had Windows 7!! I wanted to advance and go from my XP to Windows 7..thus passing VISTA!!

Mike and I went in and looked at BEST BUYS last Friday the 13th!! (That might be why) Any hoo I found a GATEWAY that I thought looked good..price was decent...I bought it brought it home and was doing great...until I realized that it was VISTA!! I did not want that..but I thought..WEll I can live with this..The computer started shutting down all on its own..THAT IS NOT GOOD for a new computer!! Finally after working with it going down and the mouse on the pad was just awful..kept going its own way, I got angry and took it back to BEST BUYS!! I told them to keep this one..do not offer to fix it and give it back because I did not WANT IT!! I went and picked up that SONY VAIO that I had wanted in the 1st place and got it...Now my little computer HEART is happy and so is the computer!! It is GREAT!! The difference between the two computers is just like night and day!! I am in Computer HEAVEN now!! Smile!!

Also our son Jon went to Columbus, Ohio to interview for a job with Abercrombie & Fitch. He lost his job about 3 weeks ago in California!! He had 7 interviews yesterday. He has the job!! We are so happy. Now if we sell this house here in Georgia and move back to Illinois my kids will be close to us again!! Makes this mom a happy MOM!!

We are still working on getting our lost cat Sammy back over here to our home. I go outside and yell for him and he comes galloping to our house. He is a big guy!! Really grown up to be a muscular cat!! Still cannot believe that we found him after 5 long years!!

Our life is going along pretty well right now except for me not feeling too well. I had an ultra sound of all my organs and that turned out really well. (they said that I have good looking organs)!! I have been having pain in my side and thought it might be my gall bladder...turns out that is fine. Now the next tests are not going to be that easy. I am looking at a colonoscopy and also an upper GI test. Wish that they were over with. Please pray that if they find something that it will be easy to deal with...

Mike's job has slowed down. This is a little sooner than usual but we are just taking each day as it comes and hoping that all works out!!

I wish that I could say I would get around to everyone, but that might not work!! I miss ya' all a lot...I can try...

FLIP FLOP

Simplify!!

2009-11-05T19:13:00.004-05:00

This Saturday one of the several TV stations here in Savannah is sponsoring a shredding day!! I love these events. You can clean out all of your old papers that you have been collecting and saving for years. Take them to the site and right there they shred them for you. I think it is great because it helps with others trying to steal your idenity. You can take old computers and they will wipe the hard drive clean. Then the computers can be given to people who really need them.

Mike and I have to get rid of a lot of things whenever our BIG move comes!! We went through our big 5 drawer file cabinet. We tossed and tossed papers into a big plastic bin. It felt so good to do this!! We have been carrying around from home to home old papers that we "think" we had better keep when in reality we really do not need them. Most everything is computerized anymore..any how..so why keep all of this "STUFF" and clutter up your life.

After we went through and cleaned out I thought to myself how good it makes me feel to un clutter things. I know that these papers are going to be shredded into little bitty pieces and will no longer be a part of our lives. As I was thinking about this whole process, it made me think that this is what our God does for us.

He takes our poor broken lives and takes our sins and "shreds" them into little tiny pieces and forgets them forever. I can go on from day to day knowing that He knows me and loves me but also knowing that my sins are forgiven and taken away...What a relief it is to know this about my God and also about myself.

Just like all of those old statements, papers, old paid bills and old checks...they will soon be gone and no longer in our lives. That part of our life is past and done with...I just felt like for some reason that this was freeing for me!! Sort of like losing weight...taking something away!!

Maybe this sounds crazy to you but some of these papers were ones that weighed Mike and I down at one time. Now that time is past and they are gone..never to be remembered...RIGHT!! If we have salvation through our Lord and Savior Jesus, then our sins are all gone and never to be remembered again too...YES!! FREEING!!

**************************************************************************************
Things have been good lately!! Only shown our home twice so far but that is twice. Our fliers out front just keep leaving so i guess that is a good thing. We just pray for God to show the right people to come by and buy our home. I know that i am going to have to move...i really do not want too..but sometimes we have to do some things that we really do not want too. Change is good and i have always been able to adapt and i will again.

Went yesterday to see Michael Jackson's "This is It". We all really liked it. When it is over you do feel sad to see such a vibrant man that was so good with his music to be gone at such a young age. I recommend it IF you were a fan of Michaels!!

We are experiencing such beautiful weather here in Savannah. The sun is wonderful and it always makes me so happy here.

Hopefully everyone is blog land is doing great too!! I wish that I could get around to all of your blogs...I would love to be able to do this...

Oh, remember Sammy our cat that was lost but now has been found?? I go over to the house where he is staying every day and feed him. They are not feeding him any more and trying to make it so that one day I will be able to bring him back here..Home. We are hoping that before it gets too cold that we will be able to do just that.

FLIP FLOP
Thought for the day: "The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak."--- Hans Hofman

Saturday PHOTO HUNT--Bags

2009-10-31T13:17:00.008-05:00

My black and white purse which sells for $35.00
all washable except for handles

Little evening bag $25.00..also washable!!

Red with red and flowered purse handles
$35.00

Brown and Biege Bag
$35.00

What an easy picture for me to find this week!! I have been crocheting bags (purses) for some months now so I will just post them here for ya'll to see!! I love making them and would love orders if you are willing!! I am!! Great Christmas GIFTS!!

FLIP FLOP
Thought for today:

"If you look at what you do not have in life, you don't have anything.
If you look at what you do have in life, you have everything."

Tuesday AM

2009-10-27T09:02:00.005-05:00

A dreary day in usually sunny Georgia today!! I love my sun so I miss it for sure today!! We have had some painters in painting our stairwell. It is so hard to do since the ceiling is so high. This way we will soon have it done and Mike will not have had to try to kill himself to do it. Sure is looking nice and of course clean!! We also had them paint the shutters on the outside of our home so that it might make our home look more attractive!! Now we still just wait until someone decides that they would love our home as much as we do!!

Just returned from feeding our lost cat, Sammy again. I go every day and feed him...pet him..talk to him. Today I got to pick him up and he just settled right into my arms, purring and making biscuits with his front soft feet. We had him declawed and neutered when he was a baby so now he has those soft front paws. I am hoping to get him over here as soon as possible. Where he is living they will be moving in about 2 weeks so I have to do something. It is like a project! I am working hard to get him back home where he belongs. I just hope that he will come. Someday i think he might follow me home...could happen!!

I have all of my purses done and mostly delivered!! I am hoping for more orders soon. Christmas is around the corner..I am afraid!! I really enjoy doing these!!

Mike's work is slow once again. I think in a way, it has been good so that his leg has had a chance to heal. It is getting better but is going to be a slow process.

Such is the life of flip flop right now!! Not a lot of interesting things. See why I don't blog much!!

FLIP FLOP
Thought for the day: "Your attitude toward life defines not only WHO you are, but the Quality of LIFE you are after."

Small Miracle Report

2009-10-21T15:54:00.004-05:00

About FIVE years ago we came home from church on Saturday night and found that our home had been robbed. I knew the minute that I opened our door that leads from the garage, that someone had been in our house. We had just brought home a new kitten, Simon and had a very sweet older cat..named Sammy!! I ran up the stairs calling their names...I was more worried about them that whatever the robbers had taken...

I found the baby Simon under our bed hiding but could not find Sammy anywhere!! That upset me so much. The robbers had taken our big screen TV but that did not matter to me as much as losing my cat, Sammy...

That was just about 5 years ago now...I remember the date because it was right before Halloween. I was so upset about the whole thing that I called one of the TV stations here. They came out on Halloween night and did a story on it. Sammy's picture was all over the TV. I had also made little fliers and I put one in each of the containers when the kids came that night to get candy!!

We found him once but lost him again...NOW FIVE YEARS LATER...Here is he again!! Yeap, I was driving to Curves this morning and this cat just appeared...I thought that is Sammy and sure enough it is him!! I got out and petted him and talked to him...He has had a hard life but has grown into a BIG OLE guy now!! He is muscular and has had to take care of himself!! He found a home just really close to us with a neighbor that I know.

Sammy today after a hard life!!

The problem is that they are moving in 3 weeks. We are going to try to get him used to our home at least outside for now. He is still a sweetheart!! I was so upset when we lost him. I hated it that people could just walk into our home and do what they wanted and let Sammy go!!

My daughter and I walked over there this afternoon and took pictures. He is being called, "Kitty" now because the little boy that loves him is just a little thing and can only say Kitty. I am just glad that we found him and that he is still alive and happy!!

I am so happy about this that it made me almost cry!! Just wanted to share this wonderful story with you...

FLIP FLOP

Another Wednesday

2009-10-14T07:10:00.005-05:00

Good Morning and Welcome to HUMP DAY...Wednesday!! Where someone came up with that title...I will never know!!

So much goes on here that sometimes my days just fly by!! I have no idea where they go!! I get up eat and then work on purses; house; bible study or something. Then it is time to get to work!!

My latest purse. I liked it so well that I am now carrying it!!

We have been watching Mike's blood pressure for the past month or so and it is just too high to please me. I finally got a doctor appointment for him in the morning. The doctor that he sees is like in a fortress when it comes to trying to get an appointment. The next aggravating thing is that once you get there and you are on time...you wait sometimes another 2 hours before you even get in the examining room. Once in there you sit for who knows how much longer..30 plus minutes. Finally the "man of the hour" shows up!! I so hated this and the way this particular doctor talked to me that I quit and found a great new female doctor that I just simply LOVE!! You go to her office..sit maybe 5 minutes... go in and she is right there!! That is the way it should be..Getting an appointment is just as easy too. I always think that when you are sick why should you have to WAIT!! Mike just will not switch and between you and me I think it is because MY doctor is a female..MEN!!

I have half of my orders for purses all finished now!! I have no time to make new ones which i would love to do so I just keep keeping on with the orders. I have one about half done but then again will have to line in once I get it completed. I LOVE doing this!!

Prayer request: Our 16 year old granddaughter, Katie is going to be having some tests. She just needs us to pray for her. Our almost 18 year old is having hip surgery on the 23rd of this month. Both girls are Julie's and she is a little overwhelmed right now with all of this!! OF COURSE...I would be too...but she needs to remain positive about it all!!

Our youngest daughter and hubby have decisions to make concerning moving!! That means that we will move too..We both have homes to sell and in this economy it is very very hard. We have had ours for sale for over a year now. Dropping the price again today to see if that helps at all!!

Always something in this life to make it challenging!! God is still in control and I know it!!

Enjoying our Precepts Study this Fall with Matthew!! We are doing the first half..then slipping in Titus before Christmas. We will finish Matthew after Christmas. Great Study!! If you ever find a Precepts in your part of the world GO!!!..You will not regret it!!

About as good as I can do for today!! We have a 90% chance of rain today!! So you reckon it will rain?? Smile!! We have been so fortunate with hurricanes this year!! So happy for that..Still have not been in one and really not looking forward to it either...

Take care ya'll!!

FLIP FLOP

An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.'

2009-10-04T07:30:00.002-05:00

Good Morning EVERYONE!!

2009-10-02T07:19:00.004-05:00

YEAP it is me again!! Just someone that never seems to have the time to blog anymore!! I know that I am just BAD!! But I am also very busy and blogging seems to be the LAST thing that I think about...Boy that does make me BAD!!

I have been selling purses and so delighted that all I seem to do is to study my bible study class, go to work and crochet purses. That seems to be my world lately!!

I did stop myself long enough for our youngest granddaughter to have her birthday yesterday. She is growing up so quickly. She is so tall and going to catch her old grandmother really soon...probably before her next birthday!! She wanted to go to Pepino's for her birthday last night so we all met there. Gave her some gifts which she of course enjoyed. She has one of the BIGGEST hearts that I have seen in a little girl. I asked her what she wanted for her birthday and she said..Oh just something small!! What a girl!! 11 year olds are not easy to get for because like a friend of mine said, "She has one foot in childhood and one in young lady hood!" Which is correct. I remember when I was that age!!

Here is Madison..all grown up ALMOST!!

As I said I have sold 5 purses so far so am really busy trying to finish up number 3 and hoping to get no 4 done sometime soon too!! What a project but I am still enjoying it!! I just hope my work is what they enjoy!!

The weather here is just plain GORGEOUS!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this weather. It is in the 60's this morning. I just could not keep the air on any longer. I love the windows being open. You can hear the sounds of the world and especially the birds. I know that it is playing havoc with my allergies though and this is probably why I am having more headaches. I should close up but how long will we be able to leave those windows open!! Take advantage!!

Today I am off to Curves to exercise. I have to work tonight since I traded from last night so that I could go to Madison's birthday celebration!! I love what I do...love the ladies!! They are what makes it such a nice and rewarding place to work..plus the staff...so nice and helpful!! What a joy!!

That is about it!! I need to get ready and go work out!! I know that i will feel better..Nothing on our house yet. It is still for Sale. We just know that God is in this move as he was in our last one. Patience!!

FLIP FLOP
"Patience is a virtue"

Another Saturday

2009-09-19T13:34:00.005-05:00

Not much going on here to report so guess that is why I don't blog much anymore...Just working; cleaning; eating; exercising and making purses...Oh and now my bible study has been added on too. That is about my day and about my LIFE right now. I am very happy with my life so guess that is a wonderful thing in itself!!

Mike and I had a fun day today just shopping around and looking at "things". We did get a new bedspread for our bed. It makes our room look so bright and happy now!! It is a light yellow, blue and green...very nice!! I need some new curtains..OF COURSE!! So may look for material and just make some!! Who knows!!

We went to Sam's and got a few things...that place is always full!! Had a great meal there of a Nathan's Hot Dog!! WHOA the cuisine!!

Now we are back home and will be leaving for church soon!! Mike is the head usher and so every other Saturday he works both of the services. Tonight is that night.

Been making more purses and am trying to get a good supply in hoping that I can sell them soon. I made up some business cards..Calling myself..."THE BAG LADY"...How is that? Fun and that is what I want my life to be about..FUN!!

One week after my fall and still have some major bruising plus it is hard to sleep at night. I am hoping that soon that pain will go away. I know just how fortunate I was and am more thankful than I can say!!

Better stop this yaking and get on with the day.. Hope all is wonderful in your life..

FLIP FLOP

Flip Flop is Still Flipping around

2009-09-14T09:58:00.008-05:00

Garrett and Madison outside of the camp sign!!

My family would say that I am FLOPPING around I think!! We just returned from another trip up to Gainesville, Ga only this time our daughter and her family went along with us in our RV...YEAP 6 people this time!!

Last time Mike and I went and took our Annie with us!! She loved watching the animals and the trees out the window..THIS TIME two grandchildren running in the woods and fishing in the big Lake Lanier!! It is huge. It has over 500 miles of shoreline!! See pretty big!!

Lake Lanier from our site!!

We left late Friday night. Waited for the kids to get out of school. We drove for 5 hours and finally made it around 9:00.

River Forks Campground is the prettiest of campgrounds!! It is all wooded with the Lake all around it!! We had to set up in the dark but with our motor home it was not that hard.

The views of the Lake are just spectacular!!

Next morning we got up and met a relator lady. She took us on a tour of Gainesville. That took over 2 hours to complete. It is a relatively small community but it is spread all over the place. We saw some beautiful mountains. Living here in Savannah where it is really very flat made us really love the Northern part of this state!!

Our guide told us that a good place to eat...locally...is called the Longstreet Cafe. All of the food was homemade. I thought it was pretty expensive but boy the food was just wonderful!! Nothing was bad at all!!

The kids had a ball fishing and playing in the water. Garrett borrowed a fishing pole from one of our neighbors and he was pulling blue gill out of the water right and left. Then taking them off and throwing them back in the water. He went around and dug up crickets and found grasshoppers to feed the fish. They saw a big bass at one time but I am sure he was smarter than the blue gill!!

Garrett with one of his blue gill..check out what his shirt says!!

The reason I named my blog today...flip flopping around is because I was coming down the trail to go to the dock along the Lake. I reached for the bar on the dock and my right foot just went. I knew that I was going so I just closed my eyes and relaxed. I really do not remember falling. I landed on my back and my neck was really hurting. Becky came running down and tried to get me up but I just wanted to lay there for a minute. I was worried about my neck. I finally got up and only had one scratch and a small bruise. I guess once my "family" discovered that I was okay they all thought back at how funny it was. Most of them saw me going and well the puns and the jokes really started going around. They were saying things like.."Let's Roll" and boy they saw that big tree fall and the Lake rippled!! Oh you know what people say when they LOVE you!! Next day i hurt some but you know I am very happy to say that my guardian angel must have been there and I landed on him for sure. All is fine!!

Here is Garrett on the dock where I fell...See the stump on the
right hand side. I just missed it!!

We had a good weekend although those long 5 hour trips were not the best. Mike drove both ways. I would never like driving our motor home. I would crash for sure. He backs it up like he just knows how to do it and of course he does.

Our RV and Car at the same spot as last time!!

We have no idea where we will be moving. We recently put our home on the market. We had tried by ourselves for several months so now we are really getting serious. We know that we cannot continue to live here for much longer and that Mike cannot continue to work as much as he does now for much longer either. We will move into our motor home if it sells and wait for our daughter and family to sell theirs and see where they go. God knows all of this so we just have given it all to him. HE already knows anyway so why worry!!

Hope you are all well. I have been the WORST of the WORST blogging friends lately. I would LOVE to get back to visiting everyone...

Our last weekend trip

2009-09-04T10:12:00.009-05:00

Breakfast one morning!!

What fun we had last weekend. We went to Hunting Island in South Carolina..right along the Atlantic.

The "BESTEST" thing was that I did not have to cook!!! Yes, ya'll know that is NOT one of my favorite things to do so this past weekend was just a treat!!

We arrived on Friday afternoon and got all set up with our daughter and her family and a family that have become good friends of ours too. They have 2 little girls so we had 4 kids that really are good kids....They loved starting fires in the fire pit and running all over the place. Two of the kids really get along great and go out and find bugs, butterflies and any animal that they can come up with...The other two are the youngest and oldest...they do pretty well together considering the difference in their ages. We saw a very skinny doe...they are just like dogs there and will almost come right up to you!! Course they are full of ticks so you need to stay away from them. We got right up to one and took some pictures...of course..what kind of blogger would I be without taking pictures..RIGHT!!??

Friday afternoon it started raining..NO not raining pouring!! The two guys tried to keep the fire going for supper but finally gave up..About that time the rain stopped and we got to taste the best flat iron steaks. I had never heard of these before..I know I must have been under a rock..BOY can Jason cook these babies. He hand rubbed them with Sweet and Spicy; barbeque and then garlic and onion. So we got to taste each one of the flavors...very good!! The food over the weekend was wonderful!

My favorite photo of my son in law...caption:
"ME Make FIRE"

Three of the kids playing in the fire no matter about the weather!!

We went down to the beach and walked and walked and walked!! Miles it seemed like!! We just looked for shells and found some good sand castles that someone had built. It is a pretty beach and the campground itself was just great!!

The waves were big from the tropical storm
Roger and Maddie are out there!! NOT ME!!

We packed up everything and came back Sunday..Stopped at a little place called "Friendly's"...they have great ice cream..so that was fun and fattening..What isn't anyway?

Garrett with a big sundae and 3 toppings!!

Home and back to regular life!! Mike's birthday was Tuesday as I posted below!! This week has been so busy with working; cleaning up this house and just plain LIFE!! I do wish that things would slow down some but not as of yet anyway...

Thanks to all of you that for some reason still stop by my blog!! WOW!! Thanks much!!

FLIP FLOP

Thought for the day: "Happiness is as unexpected HUG!!"

My Hubby's 65th Birthday!!

2009-09-01T07:38:00.007-05:00

WOW!! Will wonders never cease!! Today is my husband's 65th birthday already!! How did this happen? Days just slipped by and before you know it you wake up with a 65 year old man in your bed!! WOW!!

Today is the official day for him...he was born on the original LABOR DAY!! He was small...around 5 lbs. Back then they took him into his mom but she noticed that he was turning blue. She told me a long time ago that he looked like a squirrel!! She called the nurse and they quickly took him back to the incubator!! WHEW!! So glad that they did that!! He has really outgrown that small birth weight...just like the rest of us though!!

Ice Cream and the BEARS...or the CUBS pretty much describes my hubby!!

He has been the "light" in my world for over 52 years now!! We met when we were 14 at a wedding!! Then started dating at the young age of 16....We married when we were 18 and 19!! Now all those years later here we are still together and loving every day of it too.

We are in such a minority anymore BUT this is one minority that I am so so happy to be a part of!! So many people just do not know HOW to stay married!! Hm!! Sure there were times that I KNOW he wanted out but we just stuck together. Finally the LORD came into our lives and with HIS divine help we have lasted now together all these years.

Mike works so hard to make a good living for me and earlier for the 5 of us. We have three grown good hard working children. What a blessing!!

Loves being funny at times and also loves his family

He is still working hard and at this age this concerns me. He seems to thrive on work though. He is wonderful at what he does and very neat and precise also. He gets along with everyone. He is in a great men's group at church which I think has really helped his walk with the Lord. Men friends are important to men but most of them think that is a weakness. Too me...it is ONE of the best things that Mike has became involved in!!

I pray that Mike has a great day today!! 65!! wow!! Seems so funny sounding...I follow in about 5 months!! OH NO!!

FLIP FLOP

Thought for the day: " Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened!!" --Jennifer Yane

Thursday Thoughts

2009-08-20T11:01:00.006-05:00

Hubby informed me that I have not blogged for over a week..SO I informed him...what has been going on for me to write about? Hm..no answer from the hubby side lines..SO...I thought I would just sit down here and see if ANYTHING comes out of this normal non stressed brain..Yeap...I am normal and YES my stress level has been just wonderful lately. Guess that is something VERY good to talk about. I am so enjoying my life right now. I am not worrying about a thing and hope that it stays that way forever!! Would be fine with me!!

The house has still not sold..nor have we even shown it in months...but I am not worried about this either. God is in this just like HE was when we moved down here all those years ago. It was the RIGHT thing at that time and God knows when the right thing for us is coming..WE don't always know and sometimes, like now, I am just fine with that.

My parents are back home and doing fine...GREAT NEWS!! Kids are all great..that I know about. Two grands off to college this year. Boy!! They have grown up fast. The little ones are off to 4th grade, 3rd grade and 5th grade. One left in high school too...so everyone is great. Our grands here are not back in school yet. They don't go until September 1st...My hubby's BIG BIRTHDAY!!

Mikey is going to be 65!! How did that happen? Boy I wish that I knew. He is all signed up for Medicare and my time comes in January of 2010...I think he is quite happy to be this age. Age is just a number anyway...I think it is how you feel.

This afternoon I am meeting some friends from CURVES and we are off to see "Julie and Julia". I have heard that it is good and sounds like a girly movie!!

It has been raining here off and on all morning. Nice gentle rains which are great!! My flowers are so loving it this year. Some of them are so bushy and tall and really need cut back..but not quite yet...I am still having gardenias too..Love them and their great scent.

We have a back porch of birds anymore. There are so many of them and we all love seeing them..One night we were eating and 2 hummingbirds just flew up to our back patio door and just hovered there looking at us...SO...we got a hanger for them and now they come about twice and day and feed right there so we can see them...We both love birds..Annie, our cat has her own CAT TV now to watch!!

One of our cute hummingbirds

I am still making purses. Just finished one this morning and have another one just about done. The linings are the hardest part for me but am learning how to do each one a little better than the one before..at least I think so.

Well, looks like I have thought of some things. Love being with my grands here. They have so many questions..Like yesterday Maddie asked me if Gpa and I had a will yet...Where does that come from a 10 year old mind? We got into talking about creamation and stuff like that. Garrett said he knew what that was...he is so direct.."Gma, that is when they burn you right?" See he knows. He is quite the prankster and jokester.

Hope all is well in all of your parts of our great and exciting world. How fun to live now with so many things going on!! Each day holds a new mystery of its own..

FLIP FLOP
Thought for the day: "Remember...say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person will soon grow up and leave your side..."....sad thought!!

Finally Old Timers

2009-08-11T07:38:00.007-05:00

Yeap, I guess you can now call this couple here at this home in Georgia...officially OLD!!

WE went yesterday to the Social Security office and stood in line just to get in...Finally got in and took our number. Waited some more (I knitted while we waited). We were finally called to our person and was so happy that we got the very same SWEET lady that we got when I went in back in the Spring!! She is so knowledgeable!! Mikey is now officially a Medicare recipient!! We hope that our country can keep Medicare rolling or well we are going to be in a BIG MESS of problems..One day at a time. Our next step is for him to sign up for Social Security at the beginning of next year...I also will sign up for Medicare then too!! We sure have been together and LONG LONG time now. Something that still gets me is that my parents have lived long enough to see at least ONE of their two children go on Social Security!! How funny is that??? Just tickles me for some reason!!

If you live here in the good ole' US of A and getting close to this "Magic" time of your lives, you should go find out all that you can very soon. It is quite complicated..or at least I think so. I don't know why they want to make it so!! I think the government thinks that if we complicate it then the Older Gang will not get what they really need and just die! SMILE!! I am so afraid that someday we will see OLDER FOLKS living in tent cities just to make it!! Seriously!!

I did not tell you about the weird dream that I had about 2 weeks ago. Maybe it will sound silly to you but it has really stuck in my mind. I remember that I was fighting someone..like they were trying to get me to settle down. I remember looking at the wall and saw a calendar that said 2050!! I then realized that I was OLD. People were trying to get me to be ...GOOD!! I settled down. My next thought wat that makes our youngest daughter in her 70's..wow!! Then it was over...just like that. I have never seen numbers in my dreams and don't know what to think about it..but it was a different sort of dream for me!! For SURE!!

Just washing today and going to work this afternoon...some dream day right? Well yes someday that might turn out to be a dream day for me!! (read above)!! Smile!! I don't have a lot of work this month but next month watch out!! I am going to be a busy gal!! I LOVE working at CURVES because I like the people so much!! They are all so sweet!!!

Off to get some work done this morning!! Another HOT one here for us!! What is new..

FLIP FLOP
Thought for the day: definition of wrinkle: "Something Other people have similar to my CHARACTER LINES!!"

My Dad's 91st birthday

2009-08-08T08:32:00.005-05:00

Dad's LOVE of Burger King!!

Dad turned 91 yesterday!!! How about that for good gens!!?? He is the last of his family still alive. His brothers all passed away some years back with a bad heart and cancer but Dad just keeps movin' along!! Smile!!

He has lost some of that witty spark that he always had and has some problems with his memory but other than that he seems to be doing good. Sure he has developed some things that bug my mother...which it would me too..but I guess for "better or for worse" is what she has to remember now!!

Dad is 6 years older than mother and of course that does not help sometimes either. Dad was a farmer so was always working as far back as I can remember of course. Now he is definitely "retired" and likes it that way. He likes others to wait on him so I guess that is complete retirement.

This past week he passed his driver's test once again. This time I was completely surprised. Remember they live in a very small town and it is easy to get around in. He takes his test once a year now. I know this gives him the independence that he wants but I also do worry a little bit about that. I can understand about having to give up independence. I would not like that at all. He is a good driver. When he stops...he really stops!! We are not going anywhere..Smile!!

Last night his friends gave him a party...Here are some pictures...

He blew out his 4 candles!!

We had a good time having them here for 2 months. Tried to talk to Dad about some things but I think that the older you get the more stubborn and set in your ways you get. I just hope to learn some lessons from this and not do that myself!! Every day we learn new things..new choices to make...new lessons in this life!! If we learn them then I think we need to learn to use them in our lives...

FLIP FLOP
Thought for the day: "Some minds are like concrete, throughly mixed and permanently set"

Thursday Thoughts

2009-08-06T07:27:00.007-05:00

Took this picture in Missouri

Once again the week has taken off and kind of left me behind in the dust!! These days, weeks and months are just flying by...Even the young kids see it!! Hm!! Wonder what is coming? Any idea??? Smile!!

Been a great week here finally being back home and enjoying my house and all that it provides for me. Have you ever just sat and thought about how wonderful it is to live in a house? I know that I have and would love to continue living here but economy is saying differently to us. It is back on the market through a website this time. HOpefully this will work this time. Husbands can only work so long and for that matter so can wives..We soon tucker out and it is time to try to figure out a new way to live. Too bad that old people have to consider this and try to think of what they are going to do. We are praying about it and we both know that God will show us a way for sure.

Our home

My home is not the fanciest but it is cool in the summer and toasty in the winter. It has a great roof that covers us and protects us from storms. It is a place where I store my STUFF and boy do I love stuff. I am trying to go through things and get rid of what I can. It is so so hard to do. If something falls off a shelf and breaks now I put it in the trash!! It is very hard for me to do but i can do it!! Our home provides a place where my hubby knows he can come home at night to a good hot meal and be able to take a warm shower and relax for the rest of the night. So many things that our homes provide for us..I think we take it for granted sometimes.

I have been lining purses this week. Tootsie and I are going out this morning to do some things that she needs doing and also get me some more linings. I am trying to think of how to decorate these purses. I would love to sell them. It would help us a lot but getting a base to work from is hard. I remember when I sold macrame' when it was popular back in the 70's. I had a wonderful business going!! Would love for it to do that again..but who knows...just keep trying!!

Two new purses..One is a bag and the other a clutch

Both of my parents passed their drivers license yesterday!! WOO HOO!! Dad will be 91 Friday and Mother just turned 85. I knew that Mother would pass but was wondering about my dad. Each year that he passes is something to be sure!!

Mikey is working really well this week. We are just blessed here!! I think he is glad to be at work. I have been pooped all week. I told him that I was just a wimp..for sure that is me. I start back working at Curves this Friday...

The news has not been exactly wonderful lately. So many people dying in such tragic ways. Horrible. I think I would be better off never hearing this stuff...but my love of TV continues...

Annie is glad that we are home. She follows us all over the house just to make sure we are still here. She is a quiet gentle kitty!!

Here she in on our un-made bed!!

Off with Tootsie this morning!! I am a blessed woman!!

FLIP FLOP
Thought for the day: Definition of an adult: "A person who has stopped growing on both ends and is now growing in the middle!!" Pretty true..right???

Home Once Again!!

2009-08-01T14:18:00.013-05:00

This dog was happy waiting for his master at the Steak N' Shake in Illinois
He was rewarded with a hot dog!!

We had a wonderful trip this time but now we are back to reality and back home!! We drove well over 2000 miles...Oh I mean Mikey drove over 2000 miles. We had the best weather because in Illinois and Missouri they were having their coolest summer in some 150 years or something like that.

We arrived home yesterday afternoon after stopping in Atlanta to see the McCoys (daughter and family). They were there seeing the Atlanta things but not having the best of times because of the weather. It just keeps raining. Guess that our area has been having rain a lot. Like right now it is pouring down, but it is nice since it is so HOT here!!

We had such a great time, seeing old friends..some that we had not seen in years, Old neighbors, long time ago church friends and just reconnecting.

My last blog (I know i am way behind) showed some sweet old friends meeting us a a wonderful Italian restaurant in Normal, Illinois. We used to live in Normal. That is an interesting name of a town to live in. Many jokes happen over that when you say where you are from.

We got my parents back home and now they are settled back into their apartment and life style once more.

I think this was one of our best trips because of all the old friends. Two couples I forgot to get a picture of. We were deep into conversation with both of them and it just slipped my mind for some reason. Too much talking!! Smile.

We are glad to be at home now. Savannah is our home!!

Off to church now!! Mikey is already there. He has to usher both services tonight. I would say that I will be around to see you but I am so behind in so many things right now..Give me some more time. I have missed seeing how everyone is. I know that we went past a lot of you too...I waved at Denise as we went through Chattanooga!!

Here are a few of our old friends:

I

Saturday and Illinois week coming to an end!!

2009-07-25T16:59:00.008-05:00

Here is a stop that we always make at Avanti's in Normal...
these kind people showed up to see us....

Yeap it is Saturday or so they tell me!! When you are away from home you sort of get mixed up on the date and the day..Kind of fun!! SMILE!!

We are still in Rochelle at Julie's house. Katie has been planning this big party at their church for tonight!! What a thing this is going to be!! They are going to be playing BIG BATTLESHIP!! The kids have made Huge battle ships and ships out of cardboard. They are playing it in the gym. I will try to get some pics for you to see.

Julie is doing much better but all of these kids do not help with all that goes on here. She is going to wake up one day and not remember all of this. It all goes by so quickly for sure...Just ask me.

These are old friends that we went to visit up in the Chicago area!!

We have been shopping at my favorite store, Kohl's several times and loving it!! Found some sales!! The only way that I buy.

Mikey and SIL Bill went to the Cubs game today and the CUBBIES WON!! YES!! Glad that they did with Mikey being there...Good of them to do that!!

I had a very pampered pedicure today and enjoyed it..Now my tootsie's are really smoothe and probably happy once again!!

WE have had more ice cream than i ever have..more food than I ever have. Finally found a CURVES in a small town a few miles away and have got to go twice now. Learned some things there too.

This is Tommy the BIG CAT!! He weighs around 22 to23 lbs!!

We leave here in the AM to go back to Bloomington/Normal..Our old stomping grounds to meet a couple in the morning and then one in the afternoon!! Trying to see as many people as we can.

Dad and Mother are happy to be home again. Dad was a bit confused but starting to realize that he is indeed back home again...He has a birthday in just a week...He will be turning 91!!

I am here alone in the RV ...WHY..because it is quiet and well I like my quiet time when I can get it!! Vacations are for that...right??

Will finish this post tonight so that I can show you this game that Katie and all are going to be playing...Hope it all works out like she wants it too..

This is what the gym floor looked like after a few hits and
misses..The red paper plates are the hits and the white are the misses.

This was very clever. There was a tarp in the middle of the gym dividing it...Each team had a regular battle ship game. They planned their strategy by going out on their own side and putting their battleships where they thought they needed to be. Then if the other side called out a number and it was a miss the white paper plate was put on it..IF they hit then a red paper plate went on that square. Really turned out great I think. The kids had a good time. We also had sloppy Joes and a cake that Emily and Katie decorated...

Cute cake...they did all of this themselves..Clever dont you think??

It is late. It was a good day...Missed my hubby all day but spent time with our daughter!! Now it is late and I am tired!! I will get back to everyone once we get home...

FLIP FLOP

Arrived in Illinois

2009-07-19T21:09:00.003-05:00

Bumpy roads, with teeth almost rattled out of our mouths, dishes jumping in the cabinets, loud noises...well that describes trying to drive and ride on these Illinois highways!! We had a bumpy time trying to get here. But arrive we finally did around 5:30 pm...just in time for my dad to get confused as to where he lived and hoping that his car's battery was still going to start after being gone for 2 whole months. I think that he just got excited about finally being home. We carried all of their things in and then went to our favorite place here in Tuscola to eat...Monicals!! They do have the BEST of all pizzas. Dad was so upset that he told mother he wanted that thing with scattered things on it!! I just hope that he settles down because Mother is really worried about how she is going to care for him. I told her to try to look at it with laughter but she says it is not funny!! NO it is not funny but I guess I would rather laugh at it than to get upset and cry!! Just me I guess!!
Last night we got to Murfressboro, Tennessee. We easily found the Bill Rice Ranch. We pulled in and saw our sweet granddaughter, Brie waiting for us. We were all so happy to see her. Dad knew who she was but could not remember her name. He says that he has never been good with names...i think he is just forgetting...Plain and simple!!
We got her in the RV and went back into town. Stopped at the BIG HOBBY LOBBY and looked there. Mother and i are looking for some more of that great Sugar and Cream yarn in the striped patterns to make more things. Speaking of that...I made Maddie a cute little green and white purse while traveling. It just needs to be lined and finished. I also have another one about ready to put together once I get some more yarn. Fun but my fingers are starting to hurt!! SHOOT!!
We went to Cracker Barrel and ate. Always good food there. Back to the campground...the air was so cool!! It actually got COLD!! We heard that it made it all the way down to 56 last night!! Freezing for us but it was great to feel the cool air again.
Tonight while driving back to our RV I saw lightning bugs!! Oh I have missed those..Why don't we have them in Georgia...??? Wonder if I picked up a couple and brought them back would they make more? Smile..Mikey said I would probably get two boy fireflies!! Would be my luck!!
Well it is late. We are VERY tired. At least Dad and Mother are back home now. Been a good two days.
Oh, forgot the most important thing. Our daughter Julie was taken to the hospital Saturday in pain and feeling awful. Found out that she had to have her apendix taken out quickly. She is better now and back home. We will go there sometime this week.!! I am so thankful that she is okay!!

FLIP FLOP
No though for the day and no Pictures this time..It is late and we are tired!!

Leaving Savannah soon

2009-07-17T10:05:00.005-05:00

Off to Curves first thing to get my work out in then home to continue the washing. Great to have Mother here washing but this is my last day for her help!! Been great!! I did not work her to death so don't get that impression. It is hard sometimes to make her stop!!

We are going to Dad's favorite place for lunch and then who knows. We have the motor home here in the drive so it is like telling the whole world that we are going to be gone!! Not the greatest of advertisement for this neighborhood!! Got any other ideas on how to load it without everyone knowing???

Yesterday afternoon I was on my way to work. I was going along Abercorn here and about 3-4 car lengths in front of me this red truck dashes out from the right hand lane across the left hand lane, hits the concrete division in the middle..that threw him up in the air and back over to the right hand lane again!! He turned completely over hit the top of the truck and flipped back over onto his wheels...The man in the truck was young..probably in his 20's...somehow he managed to get the truck off of the road. In all of this he only hit ONE car and that was in the drivers rear end!! He went through some 5-6 cars!! I felt like I was watching a movie...(the kind that I like..car wrecks and stuff)...Then I remembered if I had been just a minute earlier I would have been in the middle of that. My guardian angel was on stand by yesterday plus the man in the red truck had one working hard for him too!! WHEW!! I got to work and just sat in the car thinking WOW...!!! Took me a minute to calm down...

Making another purse..this time for Maddie. She picked out the yarn so am working dillengently on it!! Fun these purses!!

Mikey is working a long way from home today!! He is so so ready to be on vacation. As you know we are on our way to see Brie (our oldest granddaughter) in Tennessee at Bill Rice Ranch where she has been working as a counselor this summer..We will stay the night with her and then go on to Illinois. I know my parents will be happy to see their friends again..Course they will be coming back to NO Church since the one that they HAD attended is now no longer the church they will be attending..God is good..He has plans for them to go to the right church..

This will be my last blog for a bit until I get a hook up and can blog again...Hope all is well in your worlds! Good here!!

FLIP FLOP
Thought for the day: "The greater part of our happiness depends on our disposition and not our circumstances."

Tuesday Tidbits

2009-07-14T09:22:00.009-05:00

Here is what I have been doing lately..crocheting!! I cannot believe that I actually made this myself. I even lined it and with my new sewing machine it actually sewed the handles to the purse!! I was amazed at that because sewing on yarn does not seem to work...in my head that is...BUT I think this new machine is just incredible!! I have wanted a new one for a long time now.

I am working on my second purse. It is a different pattern from this one. Hope you like this..Just wanted to brag...I guess...Still amazes me!!

Today it is HOT again!! I want to get the house cleaned up this week before we leave. I got both bathrooms cleaned up and mopped..Now sitting here waiting to go get these nasty nails of mine done. This is a very busy week with working every afternoon and trying to get things ready for the trip this Saturday. I know that my parents are ready to go back HOME. HOME is always a good place to go back too.

Hubby needs a vacation really bad so glad that it is getting close for him. He has been working a lot which is good for our bills but i know he gets really tired too!!

My dad is an avid BURGER KING nut! He has to have at least ONE a week..so since they have been here I have taken them to ours. Today we took some funny pictures...

Dad with his crown on

Mother in hers!!

He has to have his whopper junior...and a drink and that is it!! Okay!! I love the onion rings which of course are not helping this weight problem at all!! GOOD though!! Mikey joined us today too. He was off doing a job and got done in time to stop by and eat with us and then he was off again.

Also today I went to get my nails done for the trip that is ahead. While there Helen's littlest was awake so we got to see her. Remember Tommy and Helen that do my nails have 3 kids all named Alex in some shape or form. This little one is Alexsandra (sp)...she is a cutie. What names but that is what they wanted and after all it is their children...

She is a cutie..Only 4 months old now

Back at work this afternoon. Not many coming in but then again it is Tuesday and it is supposed to rain once again. Every afternoon this week we are to expect rain. I like it. The temps have dropped considerably with the rain too.

Sorry this sounds like dribble like another one of my friends talked about...but it LIFE and that is what I am living here...Everyday things that for some reason I THINK that I have to share..Smile!!

FLIP FLOP

Thursday Thoughts

2009-07-09T07:23:00.008-05:00

This is the little church that we stopped to see yesterday!!

Good Morning and Welcome to my part of the world...Georgia!! We have been getting rain which we always seem to need here. The temperature has went down a little and that always helps too. I am still watching my neighbors home and going over to our daughter's home and feeding her kitties...

Today I take Mother for her first massage!! I sure hope that she enjoys it as much as I always have...I am really envious of course but she needs to say she has at least had ONE..Right?

Yesterday we met Mike at noon for lunch...Mike took Dad home with him and Mother and I set off looking for a new sewing machine for ME!! I have had mine for years and years and it is just so old that so many things do not work on it...It has also yellowed over the years too. It is a Singer. We went to Hancock Fabrics and right there was a great bargain. We came home with a Brother Sewing machine...I am crocheting a purse and need to make a lining so that is my first sewing project in a long time. I am still crocheting the handles for the purse. Hopefully this will turn out okay...If it does not work out well I had fun in the doing of it!! Smile!!

We went to see the kitties and got them fed and talked too..Fed the little bitty fish too. Came home and collasped....after playing with the sewing machine. It is a very nice one and i am going to enjoy it. Mikey said...Why did you get that? Well I bought it with MY WORKING MONEY so there!! smile!! He is a sweetie you know!!

Here is Tigger our daughter's cute Maine Coon

Are any of you on facebook? You know I love it because I have re-found old friends from some 30 years ago...Love that aspect. They have little things that you can become fans of like: Flipping the pillow over to get to the cold side; Life is good; I love Oreos; fan of marriage; Love brownies; Love laughing; going barefoot; love being a parent and so on and so on!! Kind of fun...I know some of you think it is a waste of time...Oh well at least it is MY time..right...

Mother and I stopped to take a picture yesterday of a historic church...it is really a cute one...The picture is at the top..here is the sign out front...

I received several great pictures yesterday via email of my oldest grands and their parents...Here is a great one that I wanted to share..We make them gorgeous in this family for sure!! I am a little bit prejudice.

Aren't they a beautiful bunch of ladies!!

Better get going this morning!! Much to do!! Smile!! Drop by when you have the time...

FLIP FLOP
Thought for the day:" Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in"

Tuesday and A Birthday!

2009-07-07T09:03:00.006-05:00

From Mother's bouquet

I have "blogging fodder" today so wanted to post while I had something of importance to write about..SMILE!!

Yesterday was my mother's 85th birthday!! I remember when she had her 35th!! I thought she was old then but my mind has changed on that since i am pushing 65 now..She is no longer old..I am!!

I knew that she was getting flowers yesterday from our daughter Becky. I had to go work out and do some errands so was hoping that i would be home when they came. I had just pulled into the garage when my next door neighbor, Josie stopped by. We stood outside talking for a while (I felt like I was melting)!! The floral truck pulled up. A nice big black man stepped out looking for Mother. I called and had her come downstairs to the door. He gave her the flowers and it ended up that all three of us sang "Happy Birthday" to her. Even the floral delivery guy!! She had a 3 person chorus!! Smile!! She was surprised.

Josie and Mother with her flowers

She had several calls through the day plus she received several birthday cards too. We took her out for supper. There I gave her my card and she read what I was going to give to her. This Thursday at 10:00 I am taking her to get her FIRST 1 hour massage!! That is what I had thought about and could not tell in here earlier. She has never had one and so I thought what a good way to get some stress out of her body...A good ole' comforting massage. I am just hoping that she loves it. I am envious as i would love to have one too. Great stress reliever for me that is!!

I am crocheting a purse. I am wondering if it is going to work out well or not but it is something to keep my hands busy.

Today I am taking it off to watch Michael Jackson's funeral!! I am a big fan of his...always have been. Really enjoyed his music in the 80's especially but still have loved him. I am so sorry that he had such a bad life but as you know we make our own choices....so did he!! I hope that he is out of his misery but then again only God knows that!!

We are having rain and that is a good thing!! We so need it here. I am watching my neighbors home and watering her plants for her plus going over to my daughter's and watching her two sweet kitties!! So I run from one house to the other and try to take care of things here too. Oh well!! Being busy is a good thing!!

Hopefully all is well in your home today!!

FLIP FLOP
Thought for the day: "Don't make old ladies mad. They don't like being old in the first place, so it doesn't take much to set them off!!" What out for we old ladies!!

Fun, 4th and grandkids

2009-07-05T13:33:00.009-05:00

Gpa Mike, Garrett and Maddie having fun last night!!

Seems like when I lay down at night I start to thinking...that is probably why I cannot sleep most nights!! Thinking and thinking !! I started remembering when I was about 20 years younger. I would hear people talk about their 40 year old children. I remember thinking that was really OLD when you had "kids" that old!! Well I have caught up now and I am in that group of parents with 40 year old...CHILDREN!! IMAGINE that!! I just thought about that and was thinking how did that happen? How DID THAT HAPPEN???? Years just passed by all so fast and then one day I woke up and here I am in my 60's already!! Time sure is a funny thing...seconds melt into minutes, minutes into years and before you know it time just flew right by you!!

On to more fun things!!

Last night we went to church then stopped at the McCoys and ate pizza with them. (They had ordered my favorite bacon pizza). From there we got into our cars and traveled out to Hutchinson Island to park our cars and wait for the fireworks to begin. Dad and Mother said that they had not been to see fireworks in years!! So this time they got to see them. We had a pretty good seat. Everyone pulls their cars up over the sidewalk and into the grass. Some people came really prepared with a grill in the back of their trucks. They cook supper there. We had some popcorn and soda, sparklers and some funny fire works called EYE BALLS. When you light them they spin around and then pop loudly!! We had a great time and had a lot of fun taking pictures too...

I tried taking some pictures of the fireworks...did not do a great job....

Garrett and his sparklers

The Statue of Liberty alias Garrett the funster!!

We got home at a decent hour!! Fun..I just love fireworks!!

Today we have been lazy except for Mother and I. We went shopping and looking in this stupid heat. Found a couple of bargains. Shopped for a bird feeder since ours fell down and broke...It just cannot take this heat either!! Now the birds will be happy again!! Smile..

Take care my friends!!

FLIP FLOP
Thought for the day:

"You can’t help getting OLDER, but you “don’t have to get old.”

Friday Grands, Curves, knitting and orchids!!

2009-07-03T15:24:00.009-05:00

Pretty rough going for Garrett

Hello!! I have been busy once again working and running and in this heat too!! WHEW!! Nuts I know!! Oh well!! NUTS is fun!!

The other day my grands stopped by when I was working. Garrett (our 8 year old) said, "Grandma those machines look easy!!" He knew if he said that I would show him. (Kim if you are reading this..I was with them all the time!!)

Garrett struggling!!

Anyway...He tried and could not make them go like he "thought" he could!! He pushed and tried and tried. Maddie (she is 10) tried and did a great job!! That little girl has the muscles...Since Garrett was having trouble I asked him to get off so that I could show him how to do it!! He watched for a few minutes and then said, "WOW, You are SUPER GRANDMA!!" Funny!! Love what kids say...they always say what they are thinking!!

Maddie doing great on the machines!!

We have been doing a lot of things. We have decided to take Dad and Mother back home on the 18th of this month. We were going to wait until the last week in July but that was because we were going to our family reunion. There was not enough interest this year so it was cancelled. My dad is ready to go home so we are planning to leave on that date....

I just hope that Mother has received some good R&R while here and that the doctor appointments have helped her. We have tried.

Today our granddaughter, Emily, is having a MRI. She has found out what is wrong with her hip...She has extra bone on her hip which is pinching the tendon that is giving her the pain. The bone makes the tendon tighter. She is going to have to have surgery. They will go in there and grind the bone down and put in something to keep the bone away from the tendon. The doctor said that she probably will have arthritis in her hip when she is older. Thank goodness she is so so small!! We don't know yet when the surgery is. Have to wait to find that out!!

Emily (17)

Mother has a birthday this coming Monday the 6th. I have been trying to think of something unique and think that i have found something...cannot tell you because she reads this..dog gone it!! Anyway, I found orchids at the shop in Savannah Mall at a really good price...If they die well then I did not spend a bunch for just one!! I bought two of them..One for Mother for her birthday and one of course for this old lady!! They are gorgeous. I took Mother out there today to show her the pretty orchids..Here is a picture of her under one of them..

Mother at the orchid shop today

Mother has also been teaching knitting. A friend of our daughter came over the other night all ready with yarn and needles..Off they went and she has learned how to make our nice dish cloths that we all love here.

J.J. and Mother learning

Well that is about it friends from here in the HOT South east!! Wow!! It is really boiling here.

We are taking Mother out tonight for her birthday so that our daughter and family can go too. They are taking off for Myrtle Beach Sunday so wanted to take Mother out before they leave!! So better get around!!

Take care...

FLIP FLOP
Thought for the day: "It's important to have a twinkle in your wrinkle!!" I so agree!!

Monday

2009-06-29T10:02:00.011-05:00

Many of you responded to my dumpster diving article. Some of you wondered what a SEAT CASE is and I am silly for not letting you know. It is a case where you can put scrapbooking things, yarn or any kind of craft in. It has a long handle that you can pull it with and if you go someplace...Plus if you get there and there are no seats..You can sit on this. The tag on the side said $94.99...WOW!! I got two of them and now wish that I had just backed up my car and got all of them. Oh well..so much for the rules of dumpster diving!! I am just learning the rules!! I am looking all the time now.

My Free Seat Case...

Speaking of good deals again..Which we all love them ..Right? Mother and I went to the Food Lion yesterday morning to pick up a couple of things..(their blueberries are on sale)...We were at the check out and they guys said.."Would you two like some "FREE" flowers?"....You don't have to ask us twice!! I was so excited to be bringing home free flowers. Mother got a dozen yellow roses and i picked out a pretty purple bouquet!! Wow!! We were thrilled.

Mother's Roses

My bouquet

Then yesterday afternoon we went to the mall to look around. I found tops at Penney's and Sears for 50% off. I was thrilled..Love Love Love Bargains!! Guess it has just been a bargain week here..

Mother has been knitting and knitting since she has been here. She makes dish cloths and they are just great for dishes. I can make them too but she can do 3 to my one. I am slow plus my left wrist is hurting. Doctor thought that arthritis in my thumb and wrist..GREAT!! Never ending problems once you hit 50 and on...I am not the best knitter but do like the dish cloths. Everyone does. Tonight a friend of Becky's is coming over to learn how to knit. Mother has taught our granddaughter, Maddie and our daughter Julie this summer.

Today is another HOT day here. You can hardly move and not sweat.

If any of you visit Carolyn in Kansas, I suggest that you go visit her now!! She is having a very bad time...Health wise and I know a visit would really help her right now...Prayer also...

Our youngest and oldest granddaughter's called yesterday. Brie, our oldest, is in camp at the Bill Rice Ranch this whole summer. She is having a great time she said. It was so nice to hear her voice again. Then later on in the evening our youngest, Maddie, called to tell me that a Special Bulletin had happened...She now likes PINK again!! Wow!! I could not have slept last night without knowing that..Smile.

Mother and I have made it our mission to take pictures of all the different colors of Crepe Myrtle here. They are just extraordinary this year!! Beautiful!! Yesterday we found a deep red one...

We stopped and got out in this HOT weather and took pictures. This one was beautiful indeed. We also found a light purple one...Had to find a spot to park but we got it too.

Another pretty one!!

I think we have an obsession with these flowers right now...Love them...Oh well...Hopefully all is well in your part of our great big beautiful world. Look around and see all the beauty that we have and enjoy it!!

FLIP FLOP
Thought for the day: "Life's blessings are abundant when each and every one is not only counted, but cherished."

2009-06-28T07:06:00.000-05:00

Dumpster Diving

2009-06-25T10:05:00.007-05:00

BOY it is HOT here but we are blessed with central AIR so i should not be complaining...HUSH!!...I will!! Guess summer is here and this is what we should be expecting.

Yesterday took Mother to the orthopedist for her last injection in her knee. She hated that it was her last one because now she does not get to see her handsome doctor...He is a good looker. Both of the doctors that she has gone too here are great looking. She wonders if it is in the water..Well who knows.

Afterwards we met Becky and she handed us the kids. We kept them for a couple of hours while she got her hair done. We stopped at AC MOORE (our favorite store). Dad sat out in the mall and waited for us. Mother, Maddie, Garrett and I took off for the store. I looked back and saw Maddie going back to sit with Grandpa. She told Mother that she did not want him to be alone. She has the best heart!! Very kind little girl!! Makes me real proud of her.

Came home and just sat and thankful for the air again. Mommy came and got the kids. Before you know it time to get back in the car and take off for the mall to work. Dad immediately fell asleep like usual. Garrett was trying to wake him up but once Dad goes to sleep nothing bothers him...Maybe a fly or two!! Smile!!

Have I told you about my dumpster diving fun? When I get off work I take our trash out to the big dumpster. One day a couple of weeks ago I saw people from a certain store here taking out their trash..Well it was not exactly trash so I brought it home. Wonderful things called a Seat Case. They were throwing these away. They cost about $95.00 a piece. I grabbed two of them and then later wished that I had taken more of them..From then on I have been "examining" the trash when I leave. I found a large (and I mean large) bag with what looked to be clothes in it this week. I drug it to the car and had a time getting it in the trunk. When I got home and lugged it up our steps I found that it was FULL of baby clothes. Still had tags on them and in great condition!! Mother and I went through them all and folded them. There was everything from a crib pad to cute blankets, hats, bibs, little socks and a couple of toys. I divided them out and took some to Goodwill and then am sending the rest to a young friend that is pregnant.

Why would they just throw these things away when there are so many people who need them. Also there is a Goodwill just a little ways from the dumpster. I would take it there. Crazy world.

At first I could not think what i was going to do with these then I remembered a good friend of mine back in Illinois. Her daughter is pregnant. I got on the computer and wrote to her. She said that they were having a lot of money problems and that she had been praying for God to send something to help them out. Well...through dumpster diving i am sending her some things for her coming baby. She was very happy!! God works in mysterious ways...even through "Dumpster Diving". I LOVE being able to know that I have helped someone else.

So after work..You will find me walking past the dumpsters and having a look see..Maybe I can help someone else...

FLIP FLOP

Thought for the day: "Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' ya none."

2009-06-23T09:27:00.009-05:00

I LOVE pretty things!! Flowers are the best!! I can see God in every flower that I look at and it still amazes me. We have crepe myrtles blooming here all over the place. They are exceptionally pretty this year. I have been stopping and taking pictures and of course my mother is just in awe of them. We stopped yesterday and took some great photos. Like Melli says..Biggyfi this pic and you will see just how beautiful they are!!

Also I tried using the macro on my camera..Guess what.... it works..Smile..Here are some photos that I took of a beautiful bouquet at work. These are both glads!!

With all this gorgeous loveliness here in Savannah and then people here seem to be the WORST of the WORST when it comes to littering!! Always upsets me!! I see everything along the road from an upright grill; clothes; a lost soul (shoes); boxes; a broken printer and so many many more things. One day I saw a boy that had just bought something at a store. He was walking and taking the something out of the bag..He just let the bag drop to the ground and kept right on walking!! Where are the parents? Don't they teach their kids to be respectful of this world? Hm!! Just aggravates me. God has made some of the most beautiful scenery and then people just mess it all up!! DUMB!!

Close up of a gardenia

We took Mother to the vascular surgeon yesterday. If anyone in the Savannah area needs a good doctor in this area..Just let me know..we really liked this doctor. He asked her all kinds of questions, examined her. He told her that the back operation that she had years back had damaged the nerves in her back making her left leg so numb and also taking her reflex away from her left knee. He told her that stretches and exercise are the best thing for her. Also told her that she would NOT lose her leg. That was in the back of all of our minds because of the past with close relatives. I also felt relieved for myself because we were all wondering if it was heredity!! I am just going to keep exercising and hopefully that will never begin to happen to my legs. AT least we got some answers yesterday and that was what we had set out to do.

I am working every afternoon this week so it makes the days fly by. Work here at home in the morning or take my parents someplace and then off to work in the afternoon. Life as usual. I think that the p's are about ready to head home but they have to wait for the bus that will be leaving around the 26th of July from right here in our drive way. We have tickets to go to a dinner play at our church on the 10th of July too..should be fun!!

Still HOT here!! GREAT!! Love the heat this early in the year!! I lie too!! Smile....

I will try to make it around as soon as I can..

FLIP FLOP
Thought for the day: "Life might not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we should dance."

2009-06-21T12:50:00.006-05:00

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to everyone today!! This is a great day for all father's!! We went out this morning to Perkins. We met our daughter and her family and good friends of theirs. We all had breakfast!! There were 12 of us. We arrived at the right time because when we were leaving it looked like everyone had just decided to come. We took pictures of the dad's this morning. Left to right: Jason, Roger (sil); My dad; and my hubby Mike!!

We left and went to Walmart for groceries. Dad gets on one of those electric carts and just goes and leaves us in the dust!! He wanted to stay in the car and wait and with these horrible high temps we just could not let him do that!! Besides If I were him I would love that electric cart..FUN!!

Our weather has been like August weather with the temps reaching into the 100's already!! We also have had a lot of rain for Georgia and also storms. Coming home the other night from work here is what I saw....

I was hoping to get home and fast!! It just poured. This soil in Georgia is so clay filled that after it rains it looks flooded then just wait a minute and it is like you never had rain..Crazy. Puddles don't even stay long.

This past week we went out with Tootsie and her mom Stella so that they could all meet. Here is a picture that I took:

My mother, Stella and my dad at Sweet Potatoes

Tomorrow we are taking Mother to a vascular surgeon to see if he has any answers for her legs and feet. Our appointment is early in the morning!! I just hope that he knows something to do for her.

I work most of this week in the evenings so it is going to be another busy week for us...Hey I almost forgot...I did something that I thought I would never learn to do..I put my own ram in my computer!! I was a little nervous but got it in there. It is very simple to do..but I was still proud of myself for doing it!! Ha!! Even at 64 you can learn new tricks!!

Thanks to all of you for stopping by!! I love hearing from you..Hopefully you are having a great day today on this Father's Day!!

FLIP FLOP
Thought for the day: "Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled."

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-17T07:21:00.006-05:00

There's a Light at the end of the tunnel!!

We have an update on my last post and it is not a good update!! This struggling small church where everyone "Once upon a time" were very happy...the wolf has won!! He came in and took over!! There was a big upset last night and now the church is going to be missing some of its good members. Sounds like the "good sheep" are going to leave and go to another church. I just pray that this "other church" will be a haven for those that have had to go through this bad time...In a way at least this part is over...NEW HOPE in Illinois has been given to the wolves!! Hopefully someday someone will wake up and see what has happened..In the meantime the devil is smiling and a very happy camper!! Such is this world!!

This morning we are off to get Mother's second injection in her knee. She has one more. This coming Monday I am taking her to a vascular surgeon to see if he can figure out what is wrong with her feet and legs...poor circulation or just what is going on with her.

After our appointment this morning we are meeting Tootsie and her mama so that my dad and Mother can meet her. We are off to Sweet Potatoes restaurant. I wanted to go someplace where my parents have not been. It is a different kind of place so I thought this would be fun.

This afternoon I work again. At least it is the evening shift (which I like a lot more than days). I worked both Monday and Tuesday from 6:30 am to 1:00 p and then came back at night to help close. Really i got along just fine and am so happy to have these extra hours. The rest of the week I am on my favorite shift from 3-7 in the evening.

Mike is working pretty steady this week...good for us and our bills of course. Don't you wish that you did not have bills? Ours are just the regular kind that you need to live...utilities; insurance and house payment but you have to have these to just live!! I wonder how we are going to manage once we have to get fully on social security!! Should be a challenge!!

Not much else going on except a lot of heat here in Savannah. I got in my car at noon yesterday and the temp said 105...Even as I drove it only went down to 98!! I read that our heat index was 104 yesterday and I believe it!! Summer is here!!

I have tried to get around to as many of your wonderful bloggers as I can. Hopefully everyone is okay. Today Zaroga is having surgery..be in pray for her...Seems like Wednesdays lately have been when my friends are being operated on...

FLIP FLOP
Thought for the day: "When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better."

BECAUSE OF A WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING

2009-06-14T07:27:00.007-05:00

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." Matthew 7:15

Once upon a time in not so far far away land there lived a pastor and his wife. They decided they wanted to plant a new church in a very small Midwest village. Their intentions were to be a good shepherd and lead God's people.

They gathered together a small bunch of people who wanted to start a new church in this small small village!! They followed this pastor and his wife. Good times were had by all. They met on Sundays and Wednesdays. They played games, went to eat together and had many many good times as a small congregation!! God was in their midst.

Then one day a wolf came to their church. Oh, he looked just like one of them. He was dressed just like all of them but inside he was a wolf.

He took up a teaching job in this small small church and many were so happy. The small group of people were so delighted that they were learning more and more about their big book that was called the BIBLE. This wolf also had a beautiful wife and small children to make the entire picture more complete.

Life went on in this marvelous NEW HOPE fairy tale until one day the wolf and his family let down their masks and the "Wolf" appeared.

Time went on with problems now and again but no one knew that soon wolf # 2 would be appearing.

Wolf #2 was in the form of an older gentleman this time. He stirred the pot very vigorously. The saintly pastor and his wife decided that it was time for God to move them away from this church that they so loved.

The parishioners were stunned. They were also divided!! Arguments and gossip reigned supreme.

A new shepherd came to divide the sheep from the goats. He knew that he was going to have a problem solving this hurt bunch of people.

This fairy tale is not over...yet...but it cannot be ended..."They lived happily ever after"...not yet anyway!! Prayer is what is needed now for this small group of believers.

NOTE: This is not a fairy tale. It is still happening and today this pastor and his wife are turning in their resignation because of a wolf in sheep's clothing!!

FLIP FLOP

HUH!!

2009-06-13T13:05:00.006-05:00

FINALLY we are back on line!! Now I understand why my pictures would not upload here on blogger..We had to have a new modem..YES!! We were out of sync all right!!

HUH!! Yeap that is what we hear the most around our home these days. My dad will be 91 in August and really cannot hear...oh sure, he has hearing aides but I am not sure that does much good at all!! He has always been so used to saying...'HUH' and even with hearing aides he still says...HUH!! I can see why my mother gets so aggravated at him. I think most of the time when you talk to him he just smiles and agrees..i don't think he really hears. We hear that famous line of his..."HUH" once again!! Too bad!! I would hate not to be able to hear!! You would miss out on too much and well that is just NOT my personality!! I am a woman that is "in the need to know"!! You know what I mean!!

Beautiful blue Hydrangeas

We took Dad and Mother to Burger King today!! Dad's favorite. Don't tell Dad but I really do not like eating there but he does so that is what is important!! Stopped at the Mall and I took everyone into CURVES to show them where I work...so we had to play on the machines. Dad just sat and watched and the rest of us acted silly!! I worked this morning so had closed so knew that we could go in and just show them. We had fun...

Back home now. It is really hot here lately!! Think that the weather thinks it is August and not June!! Mixed up!! It is pretty though. We had a thunder storm go through this morning around 1:30 that woke up most of us..Course there is Dad with no hearing aides in and he slept right through it. Guess that would be an advantage.

I had a lot of pictures i wanted to download but now it seems like it is too late to show them..Or well..there will be more...

I have tried to get around to several of your blogs. I feel like I have been MIA lately in the blog world. Crazy..LIFE just gets in the way..

FLIP FLOP

Thought for the day: "Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk taking. Learn from the turtle--it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck."

Internet down

2009-06-12T14:24:00.004-05:00

I am posting from another computer to let you know that our internet is down!! I called AT&T this morning and went through all of that hassel (as I am sure you are very familiar with). I had tried several steps on my own that I have learned over the years but nothing worked. I got a nice girl and she tried but told me that I was out of sync!! Okay..OUT OF SYNC!! I told her that I was having a pretty good day so far and thought I was pretty much in Sync!! But she just laughed and said that they will be sending out a technician to help me out!! Tomorrow morning..sometime...this person is supposed to be coming to our humble abode and hopefully finding out why i am so out of sync!!

Things are doing pretty well lately!! Mother is in pain today with her legs which is not good. She has been receiving new injections. She received her first one this past Monday and seemed to help for about 5 days. She has 2 more to go!! Plus we have talked her into going to see a vascular surgeon!! She has something odd going on with the bottom part of her left leg and foot and it looks like the right leg and foot may be starting. You see my grandmother (her mother) lost her left leg below the knee from poor circulation. The doctor told Mother and I at that time to be careful and watch ourselves. We are just hoping this not what is going on with Mother. My grandmother passed away at 72 with half of her left leg being amputated. Her dad (My great grandfather) also had his leg removed. No one is sure WHY but it could be for the same reason. We will see what this surgeon tells us.

It is HOT HOT HOT here in Savannah. Kind of early this year but I guess it gets HOT when it wants to..Ya reckon? We are so thankful to have a cool home with a wonderful air conditioner that works great!! How thankful can we be???

I weighed at Curves this week and lost 2.5 lbs and 1.5 inches. I know that is not much but it is a loss and that is what I am after. I am never going to be a cute little slim lady but I am going to keep moving until I can no longer move!!

I don't know if I told you but my sis in law, Judy, found out that she does not have to have radiation or chemo and only has to take that cancer pill for 5 years!! We were so happy about that. My mother cried because she was so relieved.

Today is my grandkids here in Savannah's last day in school. Their parents both had work off today so that they could spend the day together before the whirl wind of kids attacks their house!! Boy do I remember that. Both kids had great grades. Garrett made honor roll and Maddie made high honor roll. Smarties I think!

Take care and I will try to get around to seeing you..I am so so behind!!

FLIP FLOP

Sunday

2009-06-07T19:23:00.005-05:00

I have been trying for days now to post pictures and for some odd reason I just cannot do it. I have found that I can upload them from photo bucket so if I want to share pics i guess that I am going to have to do it that way...Makes it so much harder. I have looked all over blogger trying to find an answer to my dilemna. Why do i get to have this fun thing happen to me? Oh well..such is our life!!

We had a good day here. We took my dad and mother to the Mighty 8th Museum which is located right up 95 from us in Pooler!! I knew that Dad would love it since he was in WWII. We are trying to think of fun things that they both would like to do while here in Georgia!! We have been downtown, to the beach, to the TEA ROOM, the movies and well just about any place that I can think of. I have a lot of good pictures but will have to figure how how to share them with ya'll.

L to R:
Becky (our daughter); JJ (Friend of Becky); Julie (our daughter); Me;
Katie--15- (granddaughter); Madison --10-- (granddaughter) and Emily-17- (granddaughter)

Our daughter, Julie and her family were here this past week. We had 10 people here in the house..6 slept inside and 4 out in our motor home. So glad for that motor home and its extra room!! We went downtown, shopping, the beach and just had a good time. We had enough to eat too. We made things that fed a lot of people!! Sometimes taking turns at the table. I gave my big dining room table to Julie and her family at Christmas time!! So we have a small kitchen table. We used card tables, TV trays and just about anything to eat on. But we had a good time. Our poor cat, Annie, kind of hid the whole week. She would come out in the evenings or in the mornings when things would quiet down...then scurry back to her many hiding places when the noise level would rise!!

We have been to movies...I really recommend seeing, "UP"...that is really a cute cute movie. I just loved it. We also saw, "Night at the Museum at the Smithsonian". I have so many that I would love to see but well you know you cannot see them all!! My love of movies!! Smile!!

Georgia has really got a lot of rain lately!! So unusual for us to get this much rain. The flowers and plants are pretty happy here....

Remember to pray for Jane's hubby this week as he goes into the hospital. Some of you may know Jane from Cozy Corner. She is a good friend and a fellow blogger so remember to pray for her hubby Warren this week..His surgery is this week on the 10th!!

I am so behind reading everyone's blogs..shame on me. It has been a very busy summer this year for me. I am still working part time at Curves and still go there 3 times a week. My knee has finally decided to be normal again after that surgery. It took about 10 weeks for things to straighten up. I did have an injection of more cortisone last week and also an injection into my heel for my plantar fasciatis. Whatever it worked!! YES

Take care and stop by...even though I have been so lazy in visiting you!!

FLIP FLOP
Thought for the day: "Friendship is like wetting your pants, Everyone can see it."

UPLOADING PICTURES

2009-06-07T14:09:00.001-05:00

Is anyone out there having problems uploading pictures? I have tried for 4 days now..Let me know please...FLIP FLOP!!!

Trying again!!

2009-06-04T16:20:00.006-05:00

This makes my 4th time this week trying to put out a blog but i just keep getting interrupted, forgetting, walking away to take care of something else or running to do something else. We have had 10 people staying here at our home since Sunday so just use your imagination!! WE have had a good time running, eating, talking and seeing things here in Savannah.

Our daughter Julie and her family are here along with my parents. You know that Dad and Mother are spending the summer with us. We got permission..sort of...to put our motor home out in our driveway and that makes sleeping for 4 people..the rest is in our home!!

Tuesday we went to the TEA ROOM downtown. Those of you that have been here before remember going there. We had the same great food and the same great fun...Here are some pictures...

We had a great time and really enjoyed ourselves. We had great weather and of course that always helps a lot....

Wednesday we had beach day!! Everyone went...we had a time getting my dad out to the beach itself...Was hard for him to walk through the sand but finally we made it. We borrowed this neat looking cabana that just comes out of a neat package!! That kept them covered while at the beach from the sun. We walked and walked and got in the ocean...

So far I have been trying to upload pictures but not having any luck so far!! We have had a great time though.Tonight is our daughter and her family's last night. We are going to be celebrating Julie's birthday tonight. Her birthday is the 14th...so we thought while we had her here that we should do something..I will add pictures later...

Saturday and the weekend

2009-05-30T08:54:00.007-05:00

Garrett and Grandma Sandy clowning
around at Chic- fil- A last week!!

Saturday has arrived and here we are trying to get ready for company that will be coming in tomorrow night!! We are finishing up washing, house is cleaned up and well we are about ready!!

Mikey is working today!! I hate it when he has to work on Saturdays but lately since this darn economy, well then we are having to accept it.

Yesterday Mother and I went to my orthopedist!! My knee is still giving me problems after 9 week since my operation.... Plus my plantar fascitis also is killing me!! Mother, bless her heart, has also been suffering for a long time now with her knees and legs. Mother had tons of x-rays and then he talked to her about some shots that she can get to help her knees. They are in a series of 3 injections over 3 weeks. She got a cortisone injection and it has helped her one knee but now of course the other one is aching!!

Me, well he said that "sometimes" (and of course I am in the sometimes) people get what the doctor's call a jelly knee. I have a hard time if I sit with it bent and then try to get up..I almost fall. He gave me a cortisone injection in my knee and also one in my plantar fascia...OH!! They told me that one would hurt and well it did..right in the arch of my right foot. It has taken about 1/4 of the pain away so that is something I guess. I just love falling apart like this!! I tell you it is just more fun than I have ever had.

Got back from Curves this morning where I sweat like a hog!! smile!! I have exercised this knee until I don't know what else to do with it. I am so trying to get it to heal but maybe i am going to just have a jelly knee..hopefully it is strawberry!!

We went out and had steak last night. First time in months and it tasted really good!! Yummy!! I really love a good steak!!

We had quite a display of lightning and pretty clouds last night. I tried to get pictures but i know my camera is just too slow for that.

WE have so many many pine trees here so it
is hard to shoot around them!!

Today is a beautiful day...dad in on the front porch hitting flies!! Keeps that population down a little bit. I watered flowers this morning and see that my gardenias are about a thing of the past!! I always hate it when they all die. Next will be the hibiscus!! They are really a beautiful display of color in my little flower garden.

Hoping that you are having a great weekend so far!! We have church tonight and then company comes tomorrow so those are the plans for now so far. It will be a full week this coming week for sure...keeping busy does not seem to be a problem here any longer....

Happy Saturday!!

FLIP FLOP
Thought for the day: "Throw your heart over the fence, and the rest will follow you!!"