Still Counting Gifts

Continuing on with Counting 1000 Gifts - Click the button below and join in with counting 1000 gifts.  It's a great way to be reminded of how great God is and how good he has been to us.



Things I am thankful for:

140.Safe travel to NC Friday and then safe travel coming back home on Sunday.
141.Kelli being thrilled with her new summer job in NC.
142.God blessing Kelli with the opportunity to meet a lot of new people and hopefully make a lot of new lifetime friends.
143.Fun times visiting Mt. Airy, NC, the hometown of Andy Griffith (I'll try to show pictures later this week).
144.Beautiful weather on Saturday in Mt. Airy.
145.The last few weeks having time with Kelli before she went away for the summer.
146.Time now this summer to be with Kerri without all the schoolwork.
147.OT at work to help pay for this trip and other expenses. God has blessed me with this extra OT this year and I'm so very thankful for that.
148.After all the travel this weekend, time with my hubby just relaxing and watching TV on Sunday night.
149.Picking up the puppy from the kennel. I miss her when we're gone and it's so fun to be with her again.

Thank you God!

Hope you had an awesome weekend.  I know I did. 

The Time Has Come

Well, it's time. We have to take Kelli to NC for her summer job. I know she is excited and I know this will be good for her. She will learn so much and have so much fun working with kids all summer. All that makes this a little easier. But my mother's heart is going to miss her.

These past few weeks have been so fun having her home. Now admittedly, the volume level has been a lot higher in our home, but it's been nice to have both girls home at the same time. Between the laughing and hollering and music and TV and everything else, it has definitely been louder than normal! But that's okay, just to have them both together. Sometimes we'll go hours and not see them, but they'll be back in their rooms together talking and laughing. I'm so glad to see them learning to get along a lot better. Kelli's grown up a lot in the last year. I see such a wonderful young woman emerging! Kerri's growing up so fast too! Wow!, it seems they should be 3 and 6 again, not 17 and 20.

This is definitely the philosophy of my girls!

Source: google.com via Cathy on Pinterest

Life doesn't stop though, does it? But that's okay too. Kelli will work all summer and then we'll pick her up in August and take her back to school. We'll then take our vacation and then we won't see her again until Christmas time. Thank goodness for cell phones and Skype. They make things a little easier.

So, I won't be around for the next few days, but I'll try to get some pictures and I'll see you again on Monday!

Have a blessed weekend!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Click the button above to join in with Joyce for the fun of Hodgepodge.

1. What can the average citizen do to honor a military veteran and/or those currently serving?

A simple way is to pray for them and thank them when you see them.

2. Besides a flag what is something you own that is red, white and blue?

The gown I'm wearing has red, white and blue in it along with several other colors. And no, I won't show a picture. My daughters call it a muumuu. I just hope it's not because it makes me look like a cow! lol

3. Does love really conquer all?

Well, love is the basis of the 2 greatest commandments. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul and Love your neighbor as yourself. I think that pretty much covers it.

4. Strawberry shortcake or blueberry pie?

Strawberry shortcake!

5. Do you share personal stuff with your hairdresser?

When my hairdresser is my cousin, yes. But usually I just go to a walk-in place, so no!

6. Does money lead to selfishness?

No, not necessarily, but the love of money does!

7. What piece of furniture in your home most needs replacing or refinishing?

Our easy chairs in the living room.

8. Insert your own random here.

“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.” -Corrie Ten Boom 

Friday Fragments / Bits of This and That

Just thought I'd share some Bits and Pieces of things this week. Though I'd join in with the Friday Fragments at Half-Past Kissin' Time.

Isn't this the coolest sign.  Kelli drew and colored this for a friend's baby.  I love this.

My car hit 50,000 miles this week.  I thought that was cool and just had to take a picture.

I love my little pink iPod Shuffle.   Don't you just love little gadgets?

Here are the 4 flowers I bought and re-potted for my bread rack that's in front of the house.  Can't wait until they grow some and the other 2 start blooming.  I might buy a couple more plants for this rack.  Haven't decided yet.

We got the mulching finished tonight.  Thank goodness for Kelli and Kerri.  We would never have gotten it finished without them.  Kerri mowed the grass and Kelli did most of the mulch spreading.  Tracy and I cut open the bags of mulch and dumped them out for her.  Kelli and I trimmed the bushes and Tracy did the weed eating. 

This is pretty much how I felt when we were finished!

Here's the front of the house with the black mulch down.  Love it when the grass is freshly mowed. Now I need the hanging baskets for the front porch, the American flag put out and the hummingbird feeder.

We're starting to see a lot of these again!  I love hot air balloons.

Kelli took this picture.  This wind chime hangs on our front porch.  I love the way the sun is shining through.

Kerri completed her classes yesterday!  She's now a Junior in High School!  Way to go Kerri

Well that's about all I have for now.  Hope you all have a great Memorial Day weekend! 

Really, I'd Rather Be Reading!

Well, I've put it off as long as I can. Tonight we have to mulch. Thursday is Kerri's day to mow, so she'll be doing that. Last night I re-potted 4 new plants I bought. And tonight...tonight we have to do the dreaded mulch. I know it will so pretty when it's done, but I just hate doing it. I guess I'm just lazy. haha I'd rather be relaxing on the front porch and reading my Kindle.

Fortunately, Kelli is still home and will be there to help. So while Kerri is mowing the rest of us will be trimming a few bushes and putting down the mulch. If I have any energy left, I'll try to take some pictures. Actually, I may wait until the weekend because I still need a couple more flowers and 3 hanging baskets to complete the task.

So, what are your plans for the evening.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What's something you miss about the 1980's? If you're too young to miss the 80's how about the 90's?
Being in my 20's, and traveling as much as I possibly could.  Anytime, friends or family were going somewhere & invited me to go, I would jump at the opportunity.  Loved that kind of freedom.  Didn't owe anything, except car payments.  


2. Do you have a library card? If so, how often do you visit?
Yes, I actually have 2 or 3.  I don't go much at all now because I have my Kindle.  But I have always loved the Library.  In fact, the last couple of books I got from the Library, I got online for my Kindle.

3. What's the secret to success?
Listening to God and obeying Him.

4. This is National Backyard Games week...what's your favorite backyard game?
Badminton, although I haven't played in years.

5. If I dropped by today what would I find on your coffee table?
My scrapbooks and wedding photo album.

6. Do you own a bicycle? When was the last time you rode a bicycle? Is that something you enjoy?

No, I don't own a bicycle, although I've considered getting one again.  One of the last times I rode, I fell off and tore up my knee.  Haven't really ridden much since then.  I used to enjoy it.  I think I might again someday.  I'd like to get a bike like this:

Isn't this just the cutest bike?  Love the pink!

  
7. What's your favorite cheese?
Mozarella string cheese or American Slices (for sandwiches)

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Hubby just bought me a new battery for my computer.  Can't wait for it to charge so I can once again have some freedom with my laptop and not have to stay plugged in.  Thank you Dear!