Christian Photographers Community

Hi everyone.  Wow, we had another very hot day yesterday after a couple of a bit cooler days.  At least that gives the feel that cooler weather is on the way.  I have some errands to do this morning that will keep me busy for awhile and that is about it for today. A few days ago I purchased a raw coconut at Walmart and yesterday we decided to see what we had.  We had the terrible time getting it opened and had to look at a couple of YouTube videos that demonstrated the techniques.  The type of bought really didn't have what Pat wanted and we ended up throwing it all away.  There was a just a very think layer of coconut meat and that was what Pat wanted. 

Carol, great news on the job front for your son.  Sorry to hear you are having shoulder pain.  My wife has had to resort to using a cane once again to help her get around the house as her hip and knee are really bothering her when she is up on her feet.

Guess I will have to try to find Pat on Facebook.  I have really not gotten very active with it although have an account. 

Janet, it sounds like spring cleaning (or fall cleaning at your house).  I grew up in the country and my mother always did both spring and fall housecleaning.  Of course we lived on a dirt, later gravel, road and that was before AC so the windows had to be open so dust was more of a problem. 

RuthV, thanks for the info on the Geezer Camp.  It sounds like a wonderful experience and it is nice that you husband really enjoyed it and wants to go back. 

Ruth, that's a cute name for the camp!  Shows someone had a sense of humor!

At 9 this morning, the contractor is to come and start working on estimates for the insurance company; also a guy from one of the lumber yard is to be here to measure the cabinets.  Progress--I hope!

This morning I put the bedspread back on the bed and dusted everything I could dust in the bedroom.  Guess I am longing for some sense of normalcy again.  But really, it isn't too bad.  Shower still works for now--has to be torn out and either replaced or repaired, though.  It is ceramic tile and we built it ourselves!    New technology today on that, too.  Now they have a rubber thing you use underneathe te tile for the bottom and it comes up a ways all around.  We are thinking we will just have them tear out the whole thing and replace with manufactured marble (not that but the newer stuff, can't remember name of it.  Very nice, easy to clean, and we get a new door, too.  They estimate the cost would be almost the same either way.  I know....TMI!  Sorry.

School started here yesterday.  Those summer breaks keep getting shorter!

Talk to you later!

   Just had my walk.  It is fun to watch the middle school kids walking to their classes - I think everything begins by 7:30.  The ones riding bikes like to pick up speed before going up a dirt path on a steep part of the hill.  Tons of people walking every morning and especially those with dogs.  If I don't know the people, I know the dogs. 

Counting blessings. 

Janet, I know each step toward getting back to normal will be a major relief for you.  I can't imagine going through what you are facing.  

Right now it's sunny, breezy and cool and only expected to get up to around 80 this afternoon.  "Possible isolated thunder showers" for the next three days and who knows what that means! I guess we'll just have to take it as it comes - as though we could change anything.  

I used to have a facebook account but after about 6 months or so of only thinking to look at it every couple of weeks, and not having any idea what to put on it and never seeing anything from anyone else except requests for "friends", I shut it down.  Now I don't even know how to get to Pat's.  

I woke up with this children's hymn going through my dreams.... Any one else remember this one?

Gentle Jesus Meek And Mild
Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,
Look upon a little child;
Pity my simplicity,
Suffer me to come to Thee.

Lamb of God, I look to Thee;
Thou shalt my Example be;
Thou art gentle, meek, and mild;
Thou wast once a little child.

Lord, I would be as Thou art;
Give me Thine obedient heart;
Thou art pitiful and kind,
Let me have Thy loving mind.

Let me, above all, fulfill
God my heav'nly Father's will;
Never His good Spirit grieve;
Only to His glory live.

Loving Jesus, gentle Lamb,
In Thy gracious hands I am;
Make me, Savior, what Thou art,
Live Thyself within my heart.

Janet I have been following the terrible problem you have been dealing with.  I wish I could be there to help you with the clean up.  I have and am praying for you.

Carol I can relate with you and Janet about the shoulder pain.  I am due for surgery on my right shoulder in September.  This is not fun for you.  You may want to give the shoulder a rest from cutting.

Everyone else I have been reading and praying for each of you.

It is said that no matter how bad your problems, someone else has worse.  I was thinking about Janet and her water problems while reading her posts.  Janet, at least it was clean water....not muddy, sewage water.  I was also thinking about the show on TLC about Hoarding.  I can't imagine people living like that and acting like it is normal or giving excuses as to why it is that way.  Not to say YOU are hoarding but we all tend to keep things that are of no use to us.  We all need to purge our stuff once in a while.  I did when I moved in here 10 years ago.  Time to do it again!!

I have the GasBuddy app on my Droid.  Gas around here fluctuates so much.  Gas at Lapel is $3.69.9 a gallon...1.79 miles away.  Gas down by Tony's house is $3.41.9 a gallon...9.79 miles away.  Do I drive that far to save 28 cents a gallon?  That's 20 miles round trip and I get 27mpg in my car.  If I only need 10 gallon I would be saving $2.80.  I need a bigger tank to make it worthwhile to drive that far to save 28 cents a gallon!  Whew! Can you tell I am thinking while typing??

Nothing new happening today.  I do need to go to the bank to get some money...other than that nothing. 

Keith is going to Portland to see his boys tomorrow so i will be on my own for a couple of days, I told Jane this morning that I think I will go to the gym on Saturday since he won't be here, although I have gone when he was here on Saturday. I just feel that I need that extra workout this week.

Not much else is new here, just the same ole same ole. Walking the dogs working on graphics and web pages, preparing meals. you get the picture. Looking forward to next week and the trip up to Florence with Jane to meet Pat and Paul for lunch.

Hi, friends,

Etta Sue, the physical therapy clinic is right beside a Wal-Mart that has a Murphy gas station on the property. If a person buys a gas card from Wal-Mart, then they can get 10 cents off a gallon. So, today, I put $20 on my card, and my fillup was at 3.279 per gallon. I'm so thankful the costs are dropping a bit!

Larry, the spreadsheet is actually a newer listing of apartment dwellers here at our 2-tower complex. This friend has an old listing she's tried to keep updated, but when I came in 2009, they had stopped giving out the directories, because of HUD privacy restrictions.

Therefore, we're creating our own list. Thus far, I've input about 265 names, and we're at the end of the G's! Gonna be a long process, but hopefully worth it in the long run.

Also, we're setting up a listing of contacts for speakers and those whose responsibility it is for asking a speaker to come to our Tuesday morning devotions. My friend was away for 3 weeks, and then she realized that only she holds that list. So, it's necessary that we get it set up and ready to print.

At physical therapy today they put me on a leg press machine and set the weights for 70 lbs. And the hip flexion machine is now set on 30 lbs. And, when I did the standing leg exercises, they put 2 lb. weights on my ankles, plus the weight of my shoes made it about 6-7 lbs. THAT caused some tears, for the left leg isn't quite ready to hold my weight yet.

Oh, well, I'm SO thankful the insurance folks authorized 16 visits, and I just finished my 6th. Each time I can see just a little bit of improvement, so am thankful to go, even if it hurts.

Now, my bed looks mighty inviting - I think I'm gonna "rest my eyes" for a bit!



Love to y'all,
Ruth Ann

{{{{{{HUGS}}}}} Ruth Ann.  I know first hand how therapy can hurt, but well worth it in the long haul!

Hello, Sorry I haven't been posting still attempting to unpack and get situated.... We have most of our stuff here but its in tots and in the garage.... ON top of everything Ruth is still working on potty training and is getting better at it we have had a few major triumphs and she is enjoying being a big girl (now if we can just get away from the bottle).  We start back into school for college on monday and this weekend we will be traveling to get our books at the bookstore. I had to get a new phone that I am working on getting used to again... Mine CROAKED and for no reason wouldn't start up so I got a new Android. Anyways I need to get off hre and get some stuff cleaned and more laundry going...
Have a Good day
Sarah

Good to hear from you Sarah.  Potty training can be a challenge for bth Mom and tot! 

Etta Sue, you are right about having too much stuff!  We had an auction when we moved into this place and got rid of most of our excess, but it tends to gather again.  I had been telling my sister Shirley that as I get older I am thinking I want to be more of a mimimalist, but this has given me the impetus to get busy purging!  When I watch "Hoarders" I cannot imagine how people actually live that way!    I took a lot of books to the Senior Center yesterday, now I have bags and boxes of clothes to go somewhere, with lots more to go through.  It's a process.....

I just got home from a trip to the lumber yard for more paint color chips and ideas.  So many decisions!!

It looks really bare in here.  I took all my paintings and other stuff off the walls, as the sheet rock repair is to begin tomorrow.

Terrible about the 9 year old boy dying from a deadly brain eating amoeba!  From fresh water lake!

Quote from: Carol on August 14, 2011, 09:58:33 PM


RuthV:  Hi - Geezer camp sounds like fun.  No little Whippersnappers allowed? 

They were running a boys camp at the same time. The only time they were really involved was on talent night

I have been having computer problems recently. My son built me a new computer, however when I got back from the camp, it started to give me problems. Software crashing!!.... so I cannot get onto the internet. My accounting software is working, for the most part; so I'm thankful for that.

He is helping me run MEMTESTs, etc... so I should be up and running in a couple of days. I am using my laptop to access the internet; however the keyboard misspells frequently!!

JudyB.... I don't know where the hours go!!! I still want that cup of tea!!

Ruth You are mmore than welcome to vome for one!

Have you voted in the latest challenge "Butterflies, Spiders, Bugs & Worms"?  If you haven't, today's your last chance.  Check it out CLICK HERE

You people and your gas prices - I wish I had your problem.  Lowest here is $3.97.  I get mine from a chain of stations where you pay monthly, and it's a little lower ($3.85).

Gas prices again.  Al, I am sorry.  Lapel, it was $3.68.9.  Thought I am going to Noblesville and see what it is there.  Same price.  Thought I will wait until today when I go to the Urologist.  I went to Barnes and Noble, then Taco Bell.  Came back by the gas station an hour later than the first time and it was $3.55.9.  13 cents cheaper!!  So I filled up Hawaii!

I didn't get the book, 'The Help'.  It was too high.  But I downloaded it to Nook on my Droid.  Very good book.  About the days in the '60's in Mississippi and the white women with their black maids.  The writer is so good...you can see and hear these women talking.

Today is Botox day.  I am needing it!  Later!!!

Hi everyone.  We are just back from a quick trip to meet our son and DIL in Madison, GA.  Pat and I have decided we really don't need a second vehicle so we gave our older car to them as they needed some reliable transportation.  It is a 2006 Hyundai Accent.  This has been my car and I really liked to drive it around town.  We had a nice rain late yesterday evening and the yards sure appreciated it and were much greener this morning.  Nothing else on the schedule for today and am ready to take it easy.

Janet, sounds like you all have a lot of decisions to make.  I remember a number of years ago I looked into putting a bathroom upstairs and they were talking about a marble type panel that can easily and quickly be installed.  We have one of those set in vinyl showers in our master bedroom and it is easy to maintain as there is no grout between the tiles. 

Jeanne, I am no expert on Facebook but think you would have to have your own account to be able to see Pat's postings.  I looked at my page yesterday and looked at the photos she had posted which were very beautiful scenery.

Judy, I didn't realize you are facing a second shoulder surgery.  At least you know what to expect this time around.

Etta Sue, I saw gas here at $3.38 a gallon.  It seems to be coming down a few cents almost daily, which is nice.

Ruth Ann, I saw the signs at Wal-Mart for the 10 cents off a gallon.  However, we really aren't close enough to make that convenient.

Sarah, hope you like your new Android phone.  I have one and really like it. 

Etta Sue, we just picked up the recorded book of "The Help".  Pat said it is 18 hours to get through the disks.  I noticed on the back of the case that it was labeled "women's fiction". 

Well, I guess I'll rewrite my little message.

Larry, it's 12 miles to the nearest WalMart lot with a gas station on it, but literally beside the physical therapy clinic. So, miles driven for the therapy put me in reach of that station. And, being right beside the WalMart has made it very easy for me to do "minimalist" shopping - no browsing, just grab a cart, ride to the shelf that holds the needed item(s) and leave.

Today my friend and I will spend another 2-3 hours on the spreadsheet project. So, I've been busily at work being "Molly Maid" in this apartment. Each little project adds to a sense of well being and knowing that at some point, the work will be completed.

Y'all have a great day.

Ruth Ann

Keith has gone to Portland to see  the boys, next week is Kyle's Birthday so we got him a small  compressor that plugs into the lighter in the car. Just in case he gets a flat. Those little compressors sure do come in handy.

So I have the house to myself for a couple of days. all I have done today is runt he dishwasher, made the bed and shampooed my hair. I do need to get some graphic work done for  one of my groups. Do some Crocheting and finish this dishcloth I've been knitting on every now and then.

Have a very blessed day.

Yes, decisions!  Now I am thinking I don't want to put carpet back in the living room, but instead put a hard surface of some kind, then use a big area rug in the middle.  I love the new Dura Ceramic which has a cushion layer in it and isn't cold, but it is very pricy!  We are waiting to hear from State Farm how much we will be allowed for replacement cost.

The carpenter is here, he is repairing a place in the laundry room ceiling which has needed it for a long time.  I have looked at paint colors until I am dizzy; and my very short night's sleep isn't helping.

Larry that was very generous of you to give your car to the "kids."  Hope your other one serves you long and well.  I am taking things to the car as I run across them, that I want to let go.  Our senior center has a garage sale about every two to three months, so we take stuff there.  I don't feel that having a garage sale would generate enough money to make it worth all the work.  So far, we have taken two carloads away, and that isn't even scratching the surface!

Darrel has sanded the window sills in bedroom and living room where condensation had messed up the finish, so he is getting something done, too. 

Have rested and feel much better after a very busy morning as I indicated above. 

Janet, I agree with you about the garage sale.  We have had our last one as usually ended up taking a lot of stuff to the goodwill after the sale time.  They have some beautiful flooring now that looks so much like wood but easier to care for.  Our church recently removed carpet from our Fellowship Hall and put in a floor covering that is a bit cushioned and looks very much like a hard wood floor.  It is beautiful.  Pat mentioned the other day she would like to replace the flooring we have in our kitchen so we will probably do this one of these days. 

Marilyn, enjoy your quiet time to yourself.  Nice that Keith can spend time with his sons.

Ruth Ann, sounds like a productive day for you.

We are about to move some furniture here & I am waiting for Don to get off his computer. 

Gas was $3.25 a gallon with our Costco card.  We shopped using coupons from their store and sales today and bought enough toilet paper to last several months.  I hope I never have to downsize storage space. 

Al:  I am just assuming that tax on fuel is higher in your state - plus the fact that they won't build another refinery and/or drill for oil out there.  Wyoming usually has the best price but there are more cows than people in that state. 

I am still on cloud nine since news of son-in-laws new employment.  Our granddaughter goes to a private school and she was able to get a scholarship this year - this school celebrates Christmas and mention Hanukkah ,  unlike the public schools in Boulder county.  I cannot even write here what that tax-payer district forces on the children - unbelievable.  So, prayers answered that she can stay in that private school.  She has a Jewish friend at school and it is just lovely to attend their Christmas programs. 

Larry:  You might be interested to know that I just found out there are short movies (usually about travel) to be downloaded free from the library - to the computer or it also says to a mobile.  There is one about the quilts slaves made so I am going to try it when a hour is free. 

Pat's pictures on Facebook are lovely.  Planning to see her next week. 

Hi everyone.  Had a very restful night and looking forward to this Saturday.  Nothing unusual on our agenda for today so think it will be a rather quiet day.  Our ice maker in our refrigerator,  which isn't very old, has broken.  Fortunately, when I bought the appliance I did get a 5 year warranty on it based on the poor experience we had with our previous refrigerator, which we replaced after about 4 years.  It will probably be Monday before I can contact them.  The ice maker has always worked very well up until the last couple of months. 

Carol, our library also has videos that I think can be downloaded.  I haven't done that but might check into it. 

Since I posted so late yesterday not much to write about or comment on.  However, I did get a nice piece this morning from a friend.  It is possible that it has been shared before as it sort of rings a bell but I felt it was worth my time to reread and so will share it here.  It is called "Old Dandelion":

Having four visiting family members, my wife was very busy, so I offered to go to the store for her to get some needed items, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags, detergent and Clorox. So off I went.

I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies and headed for the checkout counter, only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man who appeared to be about sixteen-years-old. I wasn't in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud voice, "Mommy, I'm over here."

It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged and also startled as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, "Hey Buddy, what's your name?"

"My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother," he responded proudly.

"Wow," I said, "that's a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Steve."

"Steve, like Stevarino?" he asked.

"Yes," I answered. "How old are you Denny?"

"How old am I now, Mommy?" he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle.

"You're fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass by."

I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles and school. I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement, because he was the center of someone's attention. He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.

Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn't even look at him, much less talk to him.

I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I told her that there are plenty of red, yellow, and pink roses in God's Garden; however, " Blue Roses " are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a Blue Rose and if              someone doesn't stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose with their kindness, then they've missed a blessing from God.

She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked, "Who are you?"

Without thinking I said, "Oh, I'm probably just a dandelion , but I sure love living in God's garden."

She reached out, squeezed my hand and said, "God bless you!" and then I had tears in my eyes.

May I suggest, the next time you see a BLUE ROSE , don't turn your head and walk off. Take the time to smile and say Hello.  Why? Because, by the grace of GOD, this mother or father could be you. This could be your child, grandchild, niece or nephew. What a difference a moment can mean to that person or their family.

From an old dandelion!

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

"People will forget what you said, People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made then feel!"    ANON.

Thanks for sharing that, Larry.  As the mother of a disabled daughter, I can really relate to that mother's feelings.  Sometimes when we are out with Beth, people will talk to me about her, but not TO her, and it really makes her feel bad.  I usually say something like, "Beth, what do you think about that?" if a question hads been asked, which makes the other person realize that Beth can hear and speak for herself.  But I must admit, I ha ve been guilty of ignoring severely mentally handicapped kids myself, and I hereby repent and resolve to take the time in the future to smell and touch those BLUE ROSES.

I have been out and walked three miles or so and talked to my Lord.  I love prayer walking, sure gets my day off to a nice start.  I hadn't done my usual walk since our "flood."  So I thought it time to get back into the routine.

Lon and Dallas, our carpenter and helper, are to be here around nine today.  Wonder what changes we will see today?

A friend from Hugoton whose new book Common Threads is doing well, has volunteered to come Tuesday morning to help me make decisions on color, etc.  I am so thrilled, because Patty is a very talented interior decorator!!  Praise God for friend

Time for a cup of coffee!!  !

Sipping coffee right now too    Off for a haircut this morning.  We had a dilly of day yesterday.  We moved furniture (without asking the children to help) and in the process, Don almost dropped the television.  He hung on, fell to the floor with it landing on top of him & I was able to help put the thing on the floor with his help as well.  It is so heavy - even a flat screen is heavy.  Our guardian angel works overtime with us & now we can laugh about it. 

Pat:  In case you are checking in here - I wrote an email to you and mentioned a place where you can get lunch - if that is what you desire.  It is a huge spot on the freeway - Little America but has a dining area I know  from past visits.  We will get there ahead of time and check it out again.  Easy parking. 

Janet:  ((((Hugs))))

Crol Little AMerica was a favourite sot for john and I as well as we travelled rom Toronto to LA!

While sitting in the waiting room at the doctor's office, I was wondering why the nurse was calling people in that came in after me.  I was looking at my watch, when the nurse said, 'I know.  You are coming up!'  Then I realized that I left home an hour earlier than I planned.  Seems when she took me back, they were right on time!  But I did get some reading done on Nook/Droid. 

The Botox injections went smooth...with a little bit of discomfort.  No pain but discomfort.  I left there and ate lunch at Culver's.  Then to Marsh's for some much needed groceries.  Then home. 

Knowing that after this type of procedure, I should take it easy, I did.  I got caught up online and then I laid down to read.  Then with Inky on my stomach, we both took a nap! 

I woke up around 6pm.  I ate a salad I got at Marsh's and watched TV.  I got caught up with my recordings and went to bed to read at 9:30pm. 

I should have gotten the audio book of 'The Help', then shared it with Ivalou.  She says she can't concentrate to read a book anymore.

Ivalou is gone to Marion, IN.  Marge's grandson is getting married this evening.  Ivalou, Betty and Marge are coming home tonight. 

Seemed weird knowing Ivalou wasn't home in the neighborhood.

Hi, friends,

Well, I just got back from a relatively busy day - a meeting with a doctor, then lunch with a friend, that friend requested I drive him by an AT&T store, so we went there, and I had also been interested in changin g providers. Ended up saving more than $60 per month on charges for LOTS more services, etc. This one is an Iphone, and I put a racy new "jacket" on that phone colored a beautiful deep rose blending down to a beautiful purple. Almost makes me think of tye-dye!

Yep, my friends, I DO remember tie dyed things. 

Carol, I was speaking with a friend recently about those quilts made by the slaves and said I would like to research this, for I'm interested in trying to make some quilts. This will be a new project, but one I've wanted to do for quite some time.

Well, Larry, we're now down into the middle of the "M's" on that spreadsheet. It's SO encouraging to do a big project like that, for I'm doing it in her apartment using my new laptop. How better to learn to touch-type on that particular keyboard than a big project requiring both numbers and words! 

Much love to each of you.

Ruth Ann