Another Problem Down

The project: A few years ago, my DH started a new project, which I told about here. It was a fun project for him for a while and plants were growing, but after a year or so, he lost interest due to his waning strength and lack of energy. It was just too much. 

How it looked!

The Problem: So, now all the aquaponics stuff in our back yard became eyesores and a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other critters. So I started in my quest to clean up the yard and with the help of our lawn guys and friends have made progress. Thinking about this stuff kept me awake at nights, but I'm happy to say that I might now be seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.

How to get rid of this stuff? after many months of searching, I finally located the guy who had been teaching DH about aquaponics to see if he knew anybody who might want the equipment, stuff, whatever you want to call it! Thank the Lord, yes!

The Panacea: An entity that does micro farming nearby could use it in the expansion of their farm. Today, I helped these guys as best I could to get this all loaded up on their pickup trucks and "roll these burdens away!"

And off they went!!!

The little brownish red balls are "Plant-It" Hydroton media and the plants grow in it as opposed to soil. The water tank below holds the little fish that somehow fertilize. There must have been thousands of these little clay balls. Darned if I understand how it all works!

The Praise: Little by little, step by step, the problems are being tackled and the Lord is making ways for me and bringing help in clearing this stuff out! The message at church this morning had to do with trust. I know from the past all the ways the Lord has seen me through and I know He will do it again. It's just that sometimes in the darkness and stillness of the night the problems seem to be magnified. I have to remind myself of the great things God has already done and trust His goodness, love and faithfulness to bring me to maturity as I walk by faith.

The Panic: A few minutes ago, I decided to go out and inspect the area they had cleared out and as I turned the corner of the house, I thought I saw something move. I looked, but didn't see anything. Then as I picked up a couple of screens, I saw a rat go along the fence, and ... Oh. My. Gosh! SNAKE! There is no pic of the snake as I turned myself around and ran out of there as fast as I could. You better believe it'll be a few days before I work up the nerve to go back over to that side of the house.

I will not think about that tonight!!

I will not think about that tonight!!

I will not think about that tonight!! … 

Saturday 9: Love is All Around

Linking up today with Sam for Saturday 9: Love Is All Around (1970) Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This week's song is the theme from The Mary Tyler Moore Show, a sitcom that originally aired from 1970 to 1977. Were you a fan? Yes, we loved this show back in the day!

2) The song tells us that Mary Richards can turn the world on with her smile. Yet the real-life Mary Tyler Moore said she was uncomfortable with her "wide mouth." If you could improve on one of your facial features, which would you choose? It would have to be my eyes. My eyelids could use a lift!

3) We also hear that Mary can "take a nothing day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile." What do you think makes a day "a nothing day?" A nothing day would have to be one in which I felt I wasted time or felt a little off. But really, no day is a nothing day. Every day is a gift and to make a day worthwhile would be to live each day for God and adopt an attitude of gratitude that honors Him. 

4) Mary works in the newsroom at WJM. Her desk is neat as a pin. Are you neat? Or do you lean to the sloppy side? I am fairly neat. When I worked, my desk did not look neat as a pin. It never did. Working on too many projects at one time meant having several things spread across my desk. However, at home, my house is neat with everything in its place … unless the kids are here. Then it is not so neat!

5) Mary's best friend, Rhoda, worked as a window dresser at Hempel's department store. What department store did you most recently shop at? I guess it was Kohl's. What did you buy? A pair of capris and a pair of shorts.

6) Mary Richards lived in Minneapolis. What city is nearest to where you are right now? Dallas

7) Originally the part of Mary Richards was written as a divorcee, but in 1970, there were no TV shows that centered around a divorced woman. Think about the women in your life. Are most of them married, divorced, single or widowed? Most all of my friends are married, although a couple are divorced.

8) The MTM production company logo featured a mewing kitten. The cat was found in a Minneapolis shelter, and, after her sequence was shot, she was adopted by a crew member who named her Mimsie. What's the name of the last cat -- or dog or hamster or rabbit -- that you petted? My dog Annie! There's no avoiding her!!

I think this is the sweetest!

9) Random question -- Would you rather have a job that kept you seated on your fanny or standing on your feet? I worked for 45 years sitting in front of a typewriter, desk, computer! Six months of that time I worked standing as a teller in a bank. Three days of that time I stood on my feet chopping vegetables for a party. I will take sitting any time because you aren't constantly sitting - you do get up and run around a bunch! The three days I stood chopping vegetables made my back feel as though it was going to break.

Friday Foto Friends

This is it! This is all I have for Friday Foto Friends with Deb at Breathing in Grace! Hope to see you there.

These are photos from a vacation a few years ago on our train trip out west.

Glacier Park

Isa Lake

(Pretty to see, but creepy to think about under the water's surface.)

You know the feeling of disappointment when you go to the grocery store or any other place you need to park, and think there is an empty space only to discover there is already a little car, or a motorcycle, or it's a handicapped spot or for expectant moms? I don't begrudge the handicapped or expectant mom spots because I think that's super nice for them. However, last week when I took the kids to the aquatic center, I was delighted to see the above sign. Reserved for Seniors Only!! How cool is that? The kids thought my excitement was funny!

And, on this date, 2012, we were in Alaska. My memories from Facebook:

The flowers

We lost count yesterday of the number of humpback whales we saw bubble feeding in Southeast Alaska. Also saw a mom with her calf and three whales came up to and swam under our boat. The captain let down a microphone into the water and we listened to the whales sing. What an experience!!!! So much excitement! The wonder of God's creation! It brought tears to my eyes. :-) 

I tried to upload the video I took of the whales swimming under the boat, but the upload failed.

You've Lost That Bloggin' Feelin'!

I know others feel this way. It seems the past couple of weeks have been busy with company, catching up and cleaning up. We had fun with our kids last week in spite of the outrageous temperatures.

We found things to do inside.

Indoor pool

Dave and Buster's fun

Several games of 42

What's he up to?

Ha!! This!! Little brothers.

Just hanging out

And we caught a movie, Ant Man and the Wasp!! It was a super good movie.

It was a good week. This week I've been catching up with doctor appointments, grocery shopping, Monday night friends and lunch every day with friends!

On Monday evening we noticed this beautiful sunset

Went outside to look and were pleasantly surprised by the cool breezes and cool front that came with those breezes. A mere 95 degrees!! This was pretty exciting so we continued our visit outside to just enjoy.

Now I just need to sit down this afternoon and catch up with all the bloggers who haven't lost that bloggin' feelin'!

Heroes

Three good friends.

Our son on the right.

His friend, Dennis to the left.

Our son is one of the best! And he is not a man given to dropping casual or flattering compliments. To read his post yesterday on Facebook made me so proud. He is not only a hero himself, but he recognizes the strength and good in others. I post it today to save it for my memories.

"My friend, Lt. Dennis passed away this morning. I was lucky enough to have worked with him and become his friend before he got sick.

He is the strongest man I have ever met. I knew Dennis was strong before I saw him fight cancer, but I had no idea how strong God could make one man! He was bombarded with a horrible illness with horrible circumstances, one after another. I never heard him speak one negative thought when I spoke to him. I just saw a man determined to beat each obstacle put before him. He never let his friends see him weak. We only saw the strong and courageous man we all knew as Lieutenant.

Dennis and I always talked about when he would come back to the front seat of EN36. How great it was going to be to work together again! I never gave up hope that he would come back to work. If Dennis said he was going to do something, you knew it was going to happen. He loved the job, and the fire department was better when he was at work.

I truly believe that God puts people in our life to inspire us to be better men. God had different plans than Dennis, and I know that he is finally pain free and he has been restored to the powerful man we all remember.

I hope that he knew how much he meant to me and how much he inspired me. Dennis was an awesome example of a man, and I am lucky I had him as a mentor, but more importantly, he was my friend.

Dennis, you will be missed.

The Reason I Blog

The goal for me when I began my blog was for the purpose of recording the fun things the grandkids have said or done and my memories of the time spent with them. Also, as I recall things from my own life, or reflect on my own special memories, to record them here. I discovered new friends in blogging whom I wish I could meet in person, but since that most likely won't happen, I can enjoy the friendships in Blog Land each day to see what's going on in their lives and it's always fun, of course, to exchange comments.

The other evening as a storm was moving in, Jack and I were the only ones at the park. I took a couple of pictures of him, as always, but he wasn't having it. He said he doesn't like to have his picture made and I get that. I'm not crazy about it either. He wanted to know why then I take the pictures. I told Jack it's to have them to save in my photo journal that I keep and someday when he's around 20 years old or so, I can look at the pictures and recall the sweet memories of when Jack came to visit me. Jack's response was gold. "Nonnie, I'm still gonna come visit you when I'm 20."

We even got Grandpa up to toss a few rings.

What was left of the cinnamon rolls on Saturday

Jack and I went shopping. He wanted a body pillow so he can sit up in bed as he plays Minecraft on his iPad. This boy loves to shop. First thing in Bed Bath and Beyond he saw this chair and wanted it. Mama said No! Even when she saw this cute pic of him sitting on the chair! Ha!

He got his body pillow and a neck pillow. That boy!

Then we went to Chuck E. Cheese to win more tickets for his collection.

He didn't do bad at all, but it's crazy how many tickets you have to win just to get a decent prize. Very disappointing.

Brady is now in Spain for the next 30 days to experience new knowledge of things foreign, fun and games, making new friends.

Noah is here with us for the week.

Today we did the indoor pool and wow,

very few people there.

He made some new friends and had a great time.

Four reasons why I blog.

Plus a few others of my own.

Saturday9: I Love Lucy

I LOVE LUCY

Saturday 9: I Love Lucy (1951)
 
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.


1) Before today, did you know that the "I Love Lucy" theme had lyrics? Yes, because Ricky sang it once on the show and I also saw a documentary about them and heard it then. "I love Lucy and she loves me, we're as happy as two can be."

2) Since its premiere in 1951, I Love Lucy has never been off the air. Are you a fan? I always have been, although as I've matured, I really don't like the way Lucy was always trying to deceive Ricky in some way or another. I've watched all of the episodes maybe more than a dozen times each over the years. 

3) On the show, Ricky Riccardo supports his family by performing in a nightclub. Do you know anyone in show business? Yes. My sister's niece is a professional singer and she sings in nightclubs and other venues. That is how she earns a living. She's very good. She was also a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and traveled with them and the USO. I think she counts.  

She's a beautiful lady with some pretty kiddos.

4) Lucy and Ricky's best friends are Fred and Ethel, their landlord and his wife. Are you friendly with your neighbors? Friendly, not chummy. 

5) One of the most popular episodes has Lucy and Ethel working on the conveyor belt at a chocolate factory. When did you last have chocolate?   Yesterday. I eat a little dark chocolate every day. And last night I made a hot fudge sundae.  

6) Another famous episode has Lucy promoting Vitametavegimin. This tonic is made with vitamins, meat, vegetables -- and 23% alcohol. Do you read the ingredients statement before you take an over-the-counter medication? Yes, I do. Or do you trust that it's safe because it's on the store shelf? No sir!

7) I Love Lucy was filmed before a live audience. Desi Arnaz (Ricky) always maintained he could identify the chuckle of his mother-in-law, who attended every taping. Do you know anyone who has a distinctive laugh? My dear friend Susan is the first I think of. You always know when Susan was around. She loves to laugh and laughs often! My Granny had quite a laugh, too. 

8) The show ended when the Lucille Ball/Desi Arnaz marriage ended. Have you ever had to choose sides when a couple broke up? Only twice. Once we stayed friends after the divorce with the husband and the other couple, the wife is my very close friend, so no choice there. 

9) Random question -- You must eat the same dinner, every day, between now and Labor Day. An identical menu, no deviation. What will you be having? This is the hardest question of all today! I can't think of anything I would want every day, but it definitely needs to be tasty, healthy and low fat. Mercy. Chicken broth, roasted chicken breast, broccoli, green beans, baked sweet potato, salad with balsamic vinaigrette, wheat roll with butter, frozen chocolate yogurt. Water. (That doesn't really sound non-fat, does it? I'm not good with low fat!)

In trying to find an appropriate image, I found several good recipes to try. Oh boy!!

Friday Foto Friends

Not too much today to excite the eyes, but I still want to link up with Deb and friends at Breathing in Grace for Friday Foto Friends.

A sunrise this week.

Clouds moving in

Another sunrise

Picked this up at Costco the other day only to

discover on my receipt that it was $35.99!!!!!!

Say what???!!!!!! 

I returned it as I already have a perfectly good bottle of

Watkins Vanilla that will work just fine. My boo-boo.

The little cutie pie just keeps getting cuter all the time.

Jack and I were at the park and the little library there

was crammed full of books.

I was pretty excited to find these in the library!

Just Jack and me. Park deserted on a very cool evening.

78 degrees with the wind blowing and I actually had goosebumps.

Just aswingin' and readin'

In the pines, in the pines!

Through the trees you can see the back of our house and

Grandpa sitting outside arms up and waving at us.

He didn't want his picture taken.

All in all, a pretty good day with some good company.