It's time...

It is time to welcome our newest addition to the family!  Jameson Allen will be arriving this weekend.  I wanted you all to know I most certainly will be missing and will post as soon as I can.  I can't wait to meet my little Great-Grandson and watch Brooklyn with her little Brother, oh my heart can't take it!  My Granddaughter Autumn and her husband Seth are wonderful parents and will now have two little ones to love!

Have a blessed day and weekend dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Good morning, have a beautiful day...

Today is going to be a beautiful day!  It is going to be a little rainy still but the fact I am blessed with another day makes it beautiful!  My pantry, freezer and fridge are full again.... even toilet paper:)  Yes, these days we celebrate when there is toilet paper on the shelves!  Ground beef was abundant, three packs were allowed, things are looking up.  I still wear my mask, some do and some don't... but I do:)  How are things where you are?

Enjoy your day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Just another rainy day...

The rain halted my porch project yesterday, it was damp and chilly... SO I moved inside and worked in my closet.  Lots to do there to get ready for the warm temps.  It is always nice to see what I can use from last year before buying anything new:)  It felt good to accomplish a lot and there are more indoor projects to do today because... MORE RAIN IS IN THE FORECAST!

I hope the weather is nice in your "neck of the woods"!  Whatever the weather, let's all have a great day!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

No cookouts for us...

Yesterday, no big cook-outs or get togethers,  so I was busy tackling some chores around the house.  This has been a big job, but I am happy to be about half finished.  The inside of the porch doesn't get any sun and the posts just looked yucky.  The one on the left is how they look before and on the right is the after.  I may eventually paint them but for now, clean looks better to me:)

I took short breaks and sat watching for a hummingbird, YES one came but of course I wasn't fast enough to get a picture or video!

One of my b'day presents from Tracy and family just gets prettier and prettier every day.  Petunias just keep opening and the succulents are beautiful, some with blooms of their own.

This recipe sounds SO delicious and easy peasy.  I just may be giving this a try.  I love coconut:)

That's it for this morning.  I am headed outside again as soon as I finish my coffee to work on the porch.  There is a mound of clothes that I have pulled out of my extra closet that needs my attention.  No rest here, too much to do.  Enjoy your day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Memorial Day...

John 15:13

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Have a blessed day dear friends and let's join together to remember all who gave their lives for our freedom!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Short trip and back home...

We took a short trip to visit our Granddaughter Autumn and her little one Brooklyn.  We had the best visit, got lots of snuggles and enjoyed every moment with them.  We played with her toys and read LOTS of books.  Her little brother Jameson will be arriving next month and she is going to be a big help to her Mommy:)

When we got home, Autumn sent me this video of Brooklyn when she got up from her nap.  We had only been there for two days but when she woke up, she was looking for her Ganky!  Broke my heart that I wasn't there:(

My Sister Barbara had a birthday surprise waiting for me at home!  The prettiest double hummingbird feeder I have ever seen.  I love it so much.  Last night while dinner was cooking, I sat outside and a little hummingbird stopped by:)  I was soooooo excited to see it and can't wait to watch them come for a little drink!

I will be catching up on my blog visiting this morning and enjoying my hot cup of coffee.  Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

105 days since I saw her...

It's been 105 days since I got to hug this little girl, I am about to fix that:)  My Granddaughter Autumn makes sure she calls every day and I love hearing Brooklyn say "Hey Ganky"!  If you miss me, I will be playing in the floor with Brooklyn!  

Enjoy your day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Drivers start your engines...

SPORTS, any sports... we are missing watching sports:)  Nascar had a race in Darlington yesterday.  There weren't any fans in the stands and broadcasters were at a remote location, but it was a start.  I miss baseball and hope to be watching some games before long.  This is the time of the year when there aren't any new shows and we would normally be watching the BRAVES every evening.  It will return as most things will.  I was just happy to spend the afternoon watching the return of sports. 

It is a cloudy, rainy day today and fortunately nothing is pulling me out of the house.  I hope you all are happy, healthy and staying safe!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Great weather days...

We have really been having some great weather days, it just makes me wanna stay outside!  The sun was shining yesterday but not too hot.  The pool water was a little chilly to me, so I just stuck my feet in:)  The sun drops behind those trees late in the afternoon and it is nice to just sit and think about the days ahead...

My "pool house/cottage/little house" has been closed up and now has the windows open to let some fresh air in.  I don't know why I don't spend more time out there.  It is a pleasant place to get away from it all:)

Now it is Sunday again.  I am still not attending our Church even though it is open to a small congregation.  It is streaming on-line however and I have been watching.  Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

May 16th is a special day...

Happy Birthday in Heaven to this handsome Daddy of mine!  He would be turning 98 today!  This picture was taken when he received his 50 year Masonic pin/certificate.  He was happy and healthy and his smile says it all!  I love you Pop and thank you for all you taught me!  I miss you every day! 

Our Granddaughter Maybree "Bree" is celebrating her 12th b'day today!  Happy Birthday Maybree!  We wish we could be together to celebrate with you!  Gifts were delivered on your porch last night and I hope you love them all!  Pa and I love you very much and hope you have a really great birthday!

My day was very productive yesterday and I plan on picking up where I left off.  Finishing my coffee and getting moving!  Enjoy your day dear friends, hope it is a great one!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

TGIF, but just another day...

When I saw this cartoon, it made me think of how I feel about "shelter in place".  TGIF... but just another day really.  The days are kinda the same, just called something different.  Yesterday was errand day, post office and grocery shopping.  I made a return at Target and ran into my Niece Kelly, we had a quick chat both of us wearing masks (we both agreed that we are SO tired of this).  The temps have been getting hotter and that means ticks are out.  This is just a warning to everyone when you are outside, keep an eye out for those little fellers.  One hitched a ride on me when I came in last night:(  If it's not one thing, it's another, dah dah dah...

SO... same thing different day.  Hot coffee, YUM... and puttering around in the yard!  With the extra time at home, I have been doing some re-purposing of old pots and doing some transplanting!  Perhaps I will take a break this afternoon and float around in the pool , it's supposed to be 80 degrees and higher this weekend.  Enjoy your day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Strawberries planted...

One of my b'day gifts from Tracy and family was this Strawberry grow kit.  I decided to read the instructions carefully and get the seeds planted.  It was an interesting experience.  There were two disks to soak in warm water, bottom left is the "after" they expanded.  Then there were TINY seeds, there was a warning to open the packet over a paper towel.  They were SO small and I was happy that I read the instructions, which I am known to skip:)  Now they are planted and I will report back on their progress.

The rest of my days are about the same, doing chores and cooking.  I get outside a little each day to do some "spiffing" around the pool and porches.  We have had some cooler weather but the heat is about to be here as temps are expected to rise to the upper 80s in the days ahead.  I gotta finish my coffee and get ready for the pool guy to come do some work.  Enjoy your day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Hello Monday...

My coffee is mighty tasty this morning!  It was a great weekend, Saturday with family celebrating my B'day/Mother's Day and Sunday was peaceful and easy.  I spent much of the day outside puttering around in the yard, planting and placing my B'day gifts.  The weather was perfect and my day was too.  When it was dinner time... Tracy provided that for us.  She had sent home leftovers, it just had to be warmed up and I added a salad.  Just as good as the night before except for being surrounded by family.

Today I might make a trip to the store for a few groceries or perhaps it will wait 'til tomorrow, fiddle-dee-dee, tomorrow is another day:)  Enjoy your Monday dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Mother's Day and my B'day celebration...

My Mama, the best MAMA ever passed away in 1988!  I miss her every day, especially today!  I visited the cemetery this past week to take Spring flowers, it was a beautiful day!.  Happy Mother's Day in Heaven Mama!  I will see you again someday!

This is one of my FAVORITE pictures of my Mama.  She was happy and healthy, I wish she could have stayed with us a while longer.  She sure would be proud of her growing family.  I love you Mama today and every day!

This girl, my daughter Tracy, made me a Mama!  It was tough times when she was little, I had to work but my Mama took care of her.  I would drop her off in the mornings and pick her up at the end of the day.  We rode in a car that may or may not run... but we made it together!  I love you Tracy to the moon and back!  You continue to amaze me at all you do for so many!  I hope you have a wonderfully Happy Mother's Day, well deserved!

 Tracy has 4 children, and has always put them first!  What a beautiful family!  I am SO proud of my daughter and the great care she gives her family!

And last but certainly not least is this little Mama.  My Granddaughter Autumn and her little girl.  I am incredibly proud of the Mama she is.  She spends all of her time taking care of Brooklyn and preparing for Jameson's arrival in June.  Brooklyn is SO smart at 22 months, can say her ABC's, count to 20 and read books.  Autumn is the reason she can do all of this, she teaches her something new every day!  Happy Mother's Day Autumn!  Pa and I love you and are SO proud of the Mama you are!

Sorry for the LONG POST but I have to share a little about my birthday yesterday!  Tracy and Derek invited us to come for dinner.  It had been 50+ days since I have had any meals prepared by anyone but ME.  I said "of course we will come".  They smoked ribs, homemade cole slaw, the best mac-n-cheese ever, baked beans, rolls, peach cobbler with ice cream, punch and I am sure I missed something.  IT was the best birthday meal ever and they sent us home with leftovers for today!  Thank you Tracy and Derek for making my birthday SO special!  We sat outside after dinner and I loved watching some really good competition with the corn hole games.  Gifts galore!  Flowers from Tracy and family delivered yesterday morning, Flowers from Autumn and family delivered late in the day and waiting for me when I got home.  SO many sweet gifts from Tracy and family, LOTS OF CARDS in the mail,  a gift card from my Sister Cindy, gifts from Austin's girlfriend Lexi and her Mama AND...

Tracy made cookies!  They are SO delicious and beautiful!  Thank you Punkin!

It was a special day!  I was the birthday girl for the day and I enjoyed every moment of it!

I hope you all have a Happy Mother's Day!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Where has the year gone...

It's my Birthday, #66... wait I just turned 65:)  I am posting this picture of "little me" with my Sister Barbara because it is one of my favorites:)  The years fly right by and I am thankful for each and every one!  It is going to be a great day!

Yesterday, I heard a horn blowing... I thought, it MUST be Marshall (he ALWAYS blows his horn until I come out)!  YES, it was my Brother stopping by to wish me an early HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  I told him HE MADE MY DAY!  We talked and talked!  It was wonderful!

It is going to be a wonderful day!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Looking forward...

This virus/stay-at-home/shelter-in-place ISN'T gonna keep me from seeing this!  I am not sure when but my chair will be sitting on the beach at some point in the NOT TOO distant future.  We must look forward and that's exactly what I am doing... LOOKING FORWARD to feeling the breeze from the OCEAN:)  What are you looking forward to?

Enjoy your day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Rosebuds and then...

Monday I noticed two buds on a rosebush that hasn't bloomed in years.  They opened up in just a few days and I snapped the picture on the right after dinner last night:)

A close up of one of them, it is perfect!  The wind was howling last night and the petals won't last long.  I almost cut them but just couldn't bring myself to do it:)

The days have been so pretty lately and it has been nice to get outside.  It's a bit cooler today and a "stay inside" kinda day!  I pray your day is extra special!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Happy thoughts...

Just popping in and sending HAPPY THOUGHTS your way!  Taking life one day at a time, hang in there everyone... saying it also to myself:)

Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Yep, I'm a hugger...

YEP, that's me!  I am a hugger and NOT HUGGING isn't gonna work too good for me.  I haven't seen many people since this whole thing started.  We celebrated Avery's b'day on March 28th but social distanced and NOT ONE HUG!  BOO!  SO... if you need a hug, I am sending your one!  Please send me one back:)  The new normal isn't hug-friendly!

One day at a time, one day at a time!  Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Happy Sunday to YOU...

Good Sunday morning!  There isn't anything much going on around here but just saying HI and Happy Sunday!  Just taking one day at a time.  At least the sun is shining and it felt good to sit out by the pool yesterday.  My Church is having a service this morning, social distancing, no hugging or shaking hands but I am not going.  My age group is still shelter in place and I want to stay healthy... so staying away from crowds is what I will be doing:)

Enjoy your day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Ta-Dah and OOPS...

Ta-Dah... My great-grandson Jameson's banner is complete.  I made Brooklyn one when we were planning her shower and now Jameson will have one for his room.  Autumn and I decided to paint the letters navy and it looks better than with the white letters.  It was wrapped and packed to mail, the post office was really busy but thankfully I was 2nd in line (with mask on and 6' apart), package mailed.

OOPS... I was almost home when a rock hit my windshield.  DANG it, I was ALMOST HOME!  But... at least it didn't shatter and was about the size of a quarter.  Insurance gave me a quick referral to get it fixed.

They couldn't do mobile until next week, SO mask on and headed out to get it repaired.  Since the windshield was just replaced TWICE last March, I didn't want to wait just in case it decided to spread.  All is well now and it was just a little detour in my day.  The waiting room was empty and all of the workers were masked and gloved:)

Our Governor has lifted most restrictions except for the older folks which includes US :(  I will try to comply as much as I can stand it.  It is depressing to think about long term staying at home:(  TWO sad faces is toooooo many for my post:)  That's all for today.  Gotta get busy cleaning up the craft supplies and put them all away.  Enjoy your day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!