Not much to report

Today was what I would call an ordinary day. . .if there is such an animal.  I got up and got ready for work and then went to work and then came home and fixed supper.  After supper I watched a little TV then put hubby to bed.  Now I am up on the computer for a few moments of "me time".  Robert is getting ready to plant tomatoes and so he is working really long days making sure everything is done and ready to go.  He is exhausted by days end and after eating supper and watching a little TV he is ready to go to bed.  So, I dutifully went in the bedroom with him and scratched his back for a little while until I heard him start to snore. . .and then I made my escape!  Katie just got home from work.  Did I mention that she has a job?  I don't think I did!  Yes, Katie has found a job (or should I say that I found her a job)  One of the benefits of my job is that I am in charge of the "classified" board in the church's foyer.  People must go through me to put anything up on the board and a couple of weeks ago a lady came to me to put up a help wanted ad.  She was looking for someone to work evenings at a retirement home.  The duties included answering phones and buzzing people in, watching TV and reading to pass the time.  Sounded like a great job for a teenaged girl!  So, I immediately called Katie and told her to call the lady ASAP.  Well, after a complete criminal/ background check and drug screening she was hired.  She is expecting her first paycheck next week.  No more begging mom for money!!  Now if only her 20 year old brother would do likewise!  I still get calls weekly from him asking me for food money, but the end may be in sight.  He has a job offer for a really great job.  We are really hoping he goes after it because it would mean that he is on the way to a good future.  If he doesn't go after it that means that he isn't finished being a stupid kid!  He is looking at a crossroad. . .one way is heading toward maturity and independence (company vehicle, cell phone, retirement, health insurance) . . .the other way is to maintain the crappy lifestyle that he is living now and having to beg mom and dad for hand-outs all the time.  Grow up or stay a kid. . .the choice would be easy for me!  If he takes the job then he will have to cut back on his fun. . .(parties, softball tournaments, beach, fishing). ..and even work some weekends.  I really don't know what he is gonna do.  I just pray he will make a wise choice.

Well folks, I am pooped from my "ordinary" day.  There were a few extraordinary things that happened today: 1) Space Shuttle Discovery - I watched the take-off on TV and then ran outside with binoculars to see it, but it was too hazy.  2) I pumped diesel gas into my new Ford F250 4X4 Power Stroke Diesel and it was awesome!  I've never used a diesel pump before, and was surprised at how big the nozzle was and how fast the gas pumps in!  No kidding, I pumped $40.00 in 40 seconds. . .I counted! 3) I had birthday cake for breakfast.  4) I had homemade steak fajitas for dinner!  5) I made it through 8 minutes of Reno911 on TV before begging Robert to change the channel! I hate stupidity!!!!  Give me the Golden Girls any day! 5) Betsy volunteered to peel the dead sunburned skin off my back and shoulders. . .as I cleaned up the kitchen with her following me.   It wasn't such an ordinary day after all!  I'm blessed.

"Sweet 16"

Happy "Sweet 16" to my sweet Betsy! Here is a giant poster/card that I made for her at work. Today is Betsy's birthday and it has been a nice day so far.  We all went to church and then out to lunch to celebrate.  I love you sweetie!

Home Sweet Home

It's good to be home!  As many of you are regular readers of my journal, you already know about our family vacation fiasco.  Thanks to Hurricane Dennis we had to cut out our trips to Key West and Pensacola/New Orleans.  The last leg of our vacation was Steinhatchee, Florida and we were able to make this part of our trip.  We arrived home today. . .Thank God!  The hurricane wreaked havok there as well.  The scallops were gone.  The chest deep water was murky and muddy, making the snorkeling miserable.  Day 1 (Sunday) Arriving around 9:00 am we got our rental boat, and then waited and waited for our friends to arrive.  When the 30 or so people finally arrived (about 10:30 am) they launched and boarded their boats, and we all set off to go scalloping.  Well, we headed out into the bay and then raced to the south for 13 miles over choppy waters with me and Katie sitting on the bow hanging on for dear life as our boat bounced across the water.  I didn't think we would ever get to where we were going and saying "slow down" was like spitting in the wind.  By the time we anchored I had a splitting headache.  Then we proceeded to "scallop" only there were no scallops to be had.  I say "we" proceeded to scallop, but I didn't exactly get in the water. I don't care for snorkeling, salt water, slimey grass wrapping around my legs, and most of all dragging my fat butt back in the boat with an audience.  So, I just stayed in the boat and watched, as I do every year.  This year, however, it was UNGODLY HOT!! I am not kidding, scorching, blinding heat! and I already had a headache from the ride out there.  We stayed out there until 3:00 pm and then raced back in to outrun a thunderstorm.  We didn't eat lunch because we wanted to save room so we could "pig out" at dinner! By the time we got back to the cabin, I was starving, I had a splitting headache and way too much sun.  I had applied plenty of sunscreen before leaving and even reapplied it while out there, but I still got really red in the chest, back and shoulders.  I even sat under the canopy most of the day!  When we got back to the cabin it took me about an hour to cool down even with the air conditioning blowing full blast and a cool rag on my forehead.  Thank God for the cooler of ice cold drinks or I might not have made it. By 6:00 pm I was showered and ready to pig out (and I did!)  The next day they were all going out scalloping again at 9:00 am.  NOT ME!  NOT Katie or Betsy. . .we stayed behind and enjoyed our lazy day in the cabin.  Here is a picture of our cabin:

This is the marina and deck (which has had a roof added to it for shade and many more boat slips too).  It isn't a bit luxurious. . .just a fisherman's motel and marina.

I'm glad we didn't go out yesterday; they didn't come back in until 4:00 pm!  One of the other boats broke down and our boat towed them back in.  They didn't get any scallops, but they were all very sunburned.  Poor Robert and his "farmer's tan"!  His back and legs are pretty red!

It sure is good to be home!  I think we might go to Alaska next summer!

Katie's new wheels

Katie will be celebrating her 18th birthday next week!  We have been planning to get her a car for her birthday.  Well, she found one she loves. . .a pick-up truck.

Yes, my little "farmer's daughter" wants to be a "pick-up girl".  Her daddy is so proud!  Here are a couple of pictures of the newest addition in our fleet:

She has the inside all "prissy-fied" and smelling like tropical flowers.  There is a pink flip-flop air freshener hanging from the mirror and she's looking for some hawaiian print seat covers.  What a girl!

Ooops! I'm a day late!

 

 A Great Big Happy 3rd Birthday to my sweet niece Allison!! We love you honey! 

 Aunt Beba, Uncle Robert, Wes, Katie and Betsy

Plans are changing again!

I am so glad that I do not base my happiness on travel and fun!!  For numerous reasons we have had to cancel our plans to travel to New Orleans and Texas.  We should be comfy and cozy at my brother and sister-in-laws house right now up in Pensacola, FL. . .but we're not.  They have no electricity.  We were supposed to leave early tomorrow morning for New Orleans, but. . .we won't be.  It's okay though.  I am not too upset about it.  We are still hoping to fit in our scalloping trip to Steinhatchee, FL this weekend.  The only thing that may hinder us now is ~Emily~ also known as T.S. #5.  Emily is gaining strength right now way out in the Atlantic Ocean, and is reportedly heading toward Florida.  She may be arriving early next week. . .while we're scalloping in the gulf.  So, needless to say we have been watching the weather channel alot lately.  We are thankful that there are no crops in the ground right now, but starting August 1st there will be close to 500 acres of baby tomato plants out there! 

Not to worry though!  I am thankful for my "unshakeable faith".  I surely don't know what tomorrow will bring, or next week or next year, but I learned a song when I was a little girl and it rings true for me today on so many levels.

   "Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand; but I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand."  Thank you Lord for your faithfulness.

You all have a great night. . .I'm going to bed.

Here we go again!

We are safe and sound.  We are home.  If you remember from my June 24th entry, we were supposed to be in Key West today.  Well, had we gone ahead as planned, this is what we would have woke up to this morning:

  We were going to get up early and head to Duval Street and do all the little shops before a nice relaxing lunch in Margaritaville.  I was looking forward to having a cheeseburger in paradise!

But no. . .we are at home listening to the howling winds and bouts of rain.  We're praising God for keeping us safe, but a little bummed about our vacation.  Tuesday we head to Pensacola. . .what's left of it after Dennis makes landfall there tomorrow.  And then on to New Orleans, unless they are without power, then we are staying home!  I went 8 days without power last fall when Jeanne hit us, not fun. . .not fun at all!  I'll keep you all up to date on our plans.  Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Testing 1, 2 , 3

This is a test. . . . . . .

  Happy 4th of July!!

It has been a very exhausting and emotionally draining week, but today is a day of celebration and reflection.  On Saturday, my family celebrated the life of a great woman, and today we celebrate the anniversary of a great nation.

Things are beginning to calm down now in the family and our lives are settling back into a normal routine.  I go back to work tomorrow and I must say that I am glad.

My brother and his family are still here, and we are really enjoying our unexpected time together.  My parents have decided to stay a little longer and go down to the Florida Keys with us this weekend.  They haven't been to the keys in many years, and so I think we will have a great time together.

Thank you all who have made sweet comments and have been thinking about my family and praying for us.  Believe me, it truly helped.  I will be in and out a lot over the next 2 weeks on all of our little get-aways, but I will try to keep up on my journaling whenever I can.  You all have a wonderful 4th!