Week-ending

I know the weekend is not over, but I've had a really goodone so far. We had a memorial service at church this morning for Ralph Bowling and had a really great turnout. It was good to have Dottie back with us for a few days. She is going back home with her children to Ohio tomorrow for a couple of weeks to get all the paperwork finished regarding the funeral home, etc. We ladies prepared lunch for everybody and, as usual, I ate too much. Came home feeling really lazy and had to take a nap. ha. This afternoon, my friend (Ramona) and I went to see "The World Trade Center." It was good, but I was a bit disappointed. The documentary I watched on TV the other night was much better and was real. The movie focused on two families and just didn't do much for me. Oh yes, it did bring a tear or two but just didn't "grab" me like I thought it would. But, I'm glad I saw it. Afterwards, Ramona and I went to Taco Bell and just drank Cokes and sat and talked for about another hour. On my way home, I went by Publix and got some munchies and am now listening to the football game between Tampa Bay and Jacksonville Jaguars while I play on the computer. As I've said before, I love Sundays and am looking forward to being back in God's house with my Christian family. A group of us always go out for lunch after church and then tomorrow night after church everybody is eating together again in the fellowship hall. Wow, we love to eat!! ha. Ok, I bet I've shocked some of you by updating my blog so soon, so I'll hush so you can recuperate. But before I go, just wanted to say that my sweet sister called me this week and we had such a good telephone visit. It made my day and put joy in my heart. We're working on a plan to get together soon somehow. So, until next time, I love you Steve, Angela, Meredith, Ethan, Emily, Mitch, Jawan, Andrew, Luke and Stuart. Mom.

Thankful

Yes, I am thankful for a safe trip to and from Ohio this week. Eleven of my church family drove in two vehicles to Ross, Ohio (just above Cincinnati) for the funeral of Ralph Bowling, one of our dear, dear members. That was a long way to go for a funeral, but when Ralph lived there, he was not a Christian and had no affiliation with any church. Therefore, Dottie (his wife) asked if our pastor would conduct his service. It was a wonderful trip full of (1) fun with each other on the way up and back, (2) fear with the fast driving (80-95 mph) and near accident of our own, (3) tiredness, (4) sadness in saying goodbye to Ralph's earthly body even though we know he is in heaven with Jesus; and (5) memories made that will be with us forever. Our church is having a memorial service for Ralph this next Saturday.

I just returned home tonight from dinner at Captain Frank's (fish restaurant - Yuk!) with about 30 of our church members. Of course, I don't like fish and had chicken instead. The food was nothing special but being with each other was great fun. We have such a loving church family and do a lot of things together. One of our members picked up my tab, so that made it extra special.

This morning, my friend Ramona and I went yard sale shopping, had breakfast at Hardees and hit two or three other stores before calling it quits and returning home. That seems to be a regular Saturday morning routine now that Emily is not here to spend Friday nights with me. I miss her greatly but am adjusting. I'm building my movie library so that when she does come visit we can watch something different. ha.

That's about it for now. I have to go watch the Braves finish their game against Florida and hopefully win. They have it 4 to 2 in bottom of seventh but Florida has one on base and another up at bat. So..... Anyway, until next time, I love you Steve, Angela, Meredith, Ethan, Emily, Mitch, Jawan, Andrew, Luke and Stuart! Mom.

This 'n That

This is Saturday, and I've done my usual - yard sale shopped with a friend, had breakfast at Hardees afterwards, visited a couple from our church, made a run to Walmart (what's a Saturday without going to Walmart?!), and washed three loads of clothes. Sounds fun, huh? ha. The only sad part of the day was the call telling me that the husband of the couple we visited this morning passed away after lunch. He had cancer and has struggled for the last five years. Just in the past three weeks he began to miss church and finally lapsed into a coma this past week. Of course, we are all delighted for him that he is now in the presence of Jesus but sad that we won't have him among us anymore. It will be especially sad tomorrow at church when I sit at the piano as he won't be beside me playing the bass guitar. I have counted my blessings more than once today and am so thankful for God's goodness to me this far. It has been so hot outside that I have gotten a little lazy. I need to be putting out some plants around my patio and front of the house; I need to wash windows; I need to clean blinds; I need to clean carpets; I need to get my nails done; etc., etc., etc. But what did I do besides what I've already told you? Nothing! Watched a lot of HGTV (I LOVE that channel), nibbled, and played games on the computer. Oh well, maybe another day. I know this is just run-on chatter but felt I should update my blog before one of my children reminds me. ha. Until next time, I love you Steve, Angela, Meredith, Ethan, Emily, Mitch, Jawan, Andrew, Luke and Stuart! Mom.

Vacation!

I've had this week off to play with my children and all five grandchildren. Jawan, Andrew and Luke came down this past Sunday and on Monday we drove to Angela's. On Tuesday, we spent most of the day at Blue Springs Park; Wednesday was spent at the pool of a church member and to church that night; Thursday I stayed at Angela's with Ethan, Emily, Andrew and Luke while Steve, Angela, Jawan and Meredith went to Itchetuckne (?) to tube down the river; and we (Jawan, Andrew, Luke and I) came back to my house Thursday afternoon late. Last night after getting home, we went to Walmart for a few things, and I came home with a new computer (Compaq with a 19" flat screen monitor - sweet!!). The keyboard is almost like a laptop, so I'm having a bit of a problem getting used to the touch and spacing of the keys. Thanks to my nephew, John, for getting it hooked up for me. We bumped into him at Walmart, and he volunteered to come by and put it together. He's a computer nut, so I knew he would do it right - and he did! This morning, my new bedroom furniture was delivered and I have a mess now with all the things I had to move out of the room. Where in the world will I put it all?!?!?!? Anyway, Jawan and her babies left about an hour ago and I'm here alone having to readjust. ha. I love "home" but after a week with family, it is kinda lonely when it's over. Oh well, by tomorrow and Sunday, I'll be back in my "rut." The only thing that would have made this week better would have been having Stuart there with us. However, once children are grown and out on their own, it's hard to do exactly as we want and have obligations. But, Sweetheart, I missed not having you with us to make the circle complete! Hopefully, next time. Tomorrow, there are 33 yard sales in the paper, so I plan to hit a few of them. ha. Then, as always, I'll be at my post (the piano) at church on Sunday and giving thanks to God for all of his blessings. Monday, it will be back to work at a job I love and look forward to going to every day. Yeah, I'm weird that way, but it's the truth. So, until next time, I love you Steve, Angela, Meredith, Ethan, Emily, Mitch, Jawan, Andrew, Luke and Stuart. Mom.