Ready and waiting, waiting

It is around 12:30 pm as I write this and about 24 hrs before landfall for this nasty hurricane! As it looks now, it will hit La. However we are being reminded how fickle hurricanes can be and usually turn to the left. And that would not be good for us. For all areas along the beach front rd. have mandatory evacuation. We will at the least get tropical or cat. 1 winds, storm surge up to 10-15 ft, and 5-12 in. of rain and power outage. And there is the dread of tornadoes (my big fear). It will be a long night and I hope to sleep. Please keep us in your prayers.
As I was getting ready to go to the store this morn. for last min. things.. Al called out for me to come to the front door. He had rescued a new baby turtle on the sidewalk, lost from his Mother. Soooo, with Al being the caretaker that he is; we had to get a big bowl to keep the baby turtle until the storm is over. Now Al has something to keep his mind off the storm.
As I look out the window, the birds are flitting around, searching for food and the butterflies are drinking nectar from the flowers as though they know what's coming! You know we learn so much from nature .
I will go and finish washing all the clothes and do some cooking while we have power. I will bake some blueberry muffins, some oatmeal cookies, potato salad and fry some fresh trout caught by son Danny. For me keeping busy will help keep me calm.

Oh no Gustav

Looking at the weather reports is necessary but scary these days! Needless to say, we here along the Ms Gulf Coast are nervous. As our Gov. said; plan for the worst, and pray for the best. As for me, I am praying, praying, praying. And will be doing all the necessary things Sat. to move and put inside all outside things. We don't like moving our stuff, but a necessary thing to do.

Two more nice surprises on my birthday.. hearing from my two grandsons. John Michael called from Va with wishes. It was so good to hear from him. He will be starting his Jr. year in high school and so hard for me to believe. He will be driving himself to school in his truck with money he saved to buy it himself. I'm so proud of him.

I spoke to Heath Matthew while he was on his way to class @ UA in Mobile. He is taking 15 credit hrs. and working part time. He is so independent, grounded and dedicated to getting his college degree. Then I guess he will work in the medical equip area and pursue anesthetist This Grandmother is so very proud of these amazing young men!

Echoes

I thought I would sleep late on my b'day, but noooo I got up at 6:15 ready to see the day.I went to the coffee pot and saw a sweet note from son # 3 saying Happy Birthday Mom Love you Al, have a good day. After smiling.. I went out to get the newspaper, got my coffee and headed out to the patio. I listened to the sounds of the birds.. a mockingbird was just a talking and then echoes from another and another waking up to start their day, just like me! I read my daily devotional; good advice about bad memories. When bad memories tramp through your heart.. I ask dear Lord that You shake them in the sunlight of Your love. Then may the gentle breeze of the Holy Spirit blow them all away - never to be found again. Great advice and I centered my mind on my blessings and began to offer to God all that I was thankful for!
Later reading the paper I read this about character types: People with great minds talk about ideas. People with average minds talk about things. People with small minds talk about other people. Lets strive to be people with great minds full of ideas and possibilities.
As I was reading, I kept smelling a familiar scent and went to see beautiful gardenias blooming around the corner with their flawless white blooms and heavenly smell. Well, I was convinced the blooms were just for me, ha ha I quickly picked a bouquet and have them sitting on my desk. My favorite room (sun room) is filled with the scents of gardenias and the beautiful bouquet that I received from John & Sheila yesterday. Boy, am I in heaven!!
Then the 1st call of the day, a friend's birthday wish before leaving on a trip to Argentina, a birthday song from Shelia in Va, then another friend's call, then #2 son's call, then another friend, then another. Whew.. what a blessed start to my day:) In reading again the card from my best childhood friend in Ca. about friendship till we are old and grey (maybe never unless the bottles run dry) ha, ha, ha; I am filled with joy and appreciation for the family and dear friends in my life.
I am reminded again about echoes.. a Mother's constant reminders about life, making right choices, do this, don't do that, etc, etc. I guess we will be forever echoes in our children's ears. B'day card from # 3 son had The Circle of a Mother's Love: cheering... loving... guiding...helping...encougaging...inspiring...listening. This is one Mom that knows that being constience paid off with 3 amazing sons.

Birthday gang

Well, here we are.. all another year older and very thankful. The date on the camera is wrong. It's strange how it worked out that our birthdays are each 5 days apart starting with Al 8/16, Danny 8/21 & me 8/26. I am so grateful for my 3 sons and family. The only one missing is John from Va. He called this evening to see if I received the flowers and cards from him and Sheila. Quoting him.. every day is a good one, some days are just better ones! So today was a real good day and tomorrow will be a better one. I thank God for all blessings given unto me.

Birthday Mom, Taylor & Al

The date on the camera is wrong. I think I have since corrected the problem. This was taken on Sat 8/23 at the party for me , Danny & Al to celebrate all our birthdays.

Beautiful Flowers

Oh my, what a nice surprise today! Beautiful flowers from my son in Virginia. This has truly brightened up a dreary day. and now the sun is starting to come out, yea!!!! All is well.. Just opened more birthday cards that make me smile and be thankful for my friends and family.

Good coffee

Yum, my coffee taste good on this stormy Mon. morn. As I look out my window.. I'm reminded of storms by a large broken tree limb that broke off yesterday while we were at church. Knocked out power for awhile, according to the neighbor who called the power co. Thank goodness the power was on when I arrived home.

As I look at the large tree limb just hanging there; I wonder why it fell.The wind didn't appear to be too bad. Guess the branch was just weak from Katrina.. who knows? I'm very thankful that it didn't hit my wood fence since fences are not covered by ins now..so sad, too bad.

The tree limb reminds me of our lives at time.. sometimes a weak branch has to fall away to provide for new growth. And growth is good at any age :).

Since I love flowers, the birds and all of nature; just couldn't resist getting this patented rose bush that grows red and yellow roses from the same bush! I planted it outside my window from my desk and can now have a lovely view, along with all the other flowers and plants. A red rose is limp from the rain, but a new yellow rose looks very happy.

I hope all of you are having good coffee and making the most of a stormy day. Take time for reflecting, be good to yourself and stay happy and healthy.



Ask me about the amazing health juice I make a part of my daily life or visit my web site www.thegreatproduct.com/HealthyWayToLive.

To please Taylor

The cook-out was wonderful. Kim did a wonderful job on the pulled pork. She said she was up till 1am pulling the pork loin. I laughed when she told Danny that he wasn't going to bed until she did. And he said ok.. by the time her work in the kitchen was done Danny boy was sleeping in his recliner.. just like a man, huh?//
The ice cream cake I brought was wonderful and Kim had bought a yummy butter cream cake from a bake sale at the hospital. It was Paula Dean's recipe yummmeee. I love that lady on the food network.
The pool looked inviting but we all went into the pool house & watched tv. Danny & Taylor played a video race car game. Al took a nap & Kim & I did the girl talk. Funny story about a guy coming into ER. A fun day for all.
I wonder where my boys get the birthday cards that touch their Mother's heart and make me cry. Such sweet guys.
Taylor was looking at my blog and my new business web site and she said "oh can you put a pic of me & you on?" I promised that I would learn how. Sooo Ms Taylor Danielle this is for you, sweet pea!
We came home with cake left and Al always wants to share.. so he took some to the neighbors. He has such a big heart. The neighbor has a mentally disabled son who is so sweet and Al has gotten close to him. So he wanted to take ice cream cake to him.
My bed is calling me and I must go. Good night all and God Bless.

Rain, rain go away

The wind is blowing and swaying through my weeping willow tree. Pleasent to look at. Getting ready for lots of rain from Fay since we are under tropical storm warning. I pray we can get through till Nov when the hurricane season is over! I'm sure the wind surfers are having a blast at the beach! I'll be laeving shortly to go to my Danny's house for big cook out.. pulled pork and all the fixins! Hope the rain will stay away till we get back home. We may have to dash into the pool house. Danny and Kim made a good choice to put in the pool and Pool house. Taylor and her friends have enjoyed it so much. Danny enjoys the pool house for a nice get-a-way to watch golf or football. His sign saying "it's 5 o'clock somewhere is cute".
I don't know how to do the picture thing yet.

Wonderful child

Hey everbody.. Please check this out on my blog. Click on what's this about.. read and let it touch your heart. Pass this on to everyplace you eat that have menu's. You can make a difference in a precious little girl's quality of life. Thanks and blessings to all.

Correction to web site
www.thegreatproduct.com/HealthyWayToLive

It is a good morning! I have success on my web site www.thegreatproduct.com/HealthyWayToLive and life is good.
Just celebrated my 2nd son's birthday yesterday. And my big day is approaching on Aug. 26. I will be celebrating with a big cook-out planned for me. Nice to be waited on. There are great benefits when the kids get grown.Gotta go for now.