June 24

I am grateful for a rainy Sunday.  It has brought much needed rain.  An added bonus is having to do indoor activities all day with the lack of Florida sunshine.  This has allowed me to accomplish quite a bit such as hemming Clif's hiking pants for our trip, repairing a top I wear frequently to church, go to Planet Fitness with friends to enjoy fun fitness, and make homemade eggplant parmesan for dinner.

I was able mow the yard yesterday and harvest the garden.  The eggplant and tomatoes are now in full swing.  The last of the cantelope has been harvested.  The cucumbers bit the dust, and the green peppers are ready for another go around.  Thank you Lord for a bountiful harvest this year.  The neighbors even appreciate our garden fresh goodies. :)

Fruits below are to be eaten tonight.  I will puree the fresh tomato along with fresh basil (from the garden), onion, and garlic to add to the marina sauce.  Then I will slice the eggplant, bread, and brown in the fry pan before putting it all together for oven baked eggplant parmesan.  The cantelope will be for dessert.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Now for the finished product...

It was very tasty.  I have enough leftover for lunch everyday.  I am grateful because eggplant parmesan is one of my favorite meals.  Clif likes it about once or twice a year.  So who gets the other eggplants?  One of my dear "southern" friends whose favorite is eggplant also.  The only difference is her family will eat it several times a week.  I am happy we can supply her with a special treat. :)

June 23

             

So it appears that I am now down to 1 entry a week in this "gratitude" blog.  But, hey, at least I haven't stopped completely.

I have several things to be grateful for this week: time for trip planning/preparations for 2 trips, fellowship/exercise time with friends, and time off of work to be able to catch up on household chores and purging that gets neglected during the school year.
  
While tending these tasks, I had a suprise visit from Stephen's best friend, Michael, that he's known since Kindergarten.  He got back from his 1 year contract in Kuwait.  He had taken several "side trips" in the region since airfare was so inexpensive.  I thought he would show me lots of pictures.  No, he told me I could "friend" him on facebook and see them there.  Instead, he brought me a gift....Rosary Beads from the Vatican!  I was so touched, I choked up and tears flowed.  I use plastic ones from the kids Religious Ed class that are 15 years old.  The new ones are beautiful with the Our Father beads being a silver icon of each of the Papal Basilicas in Rome.  I had to google to find out the significance of each.  I have been saying the Rosary every morning, and extend a special prayer for Michael.  I loved his visit and the stories he shared.   His parents must be proud of him, and his whole family for that matter.  They are Mormon, and truly exhibit the love of Christ in all they do. :)

 To the left, plastic Rosary. To the right, Rosary from the Vatican.  I know God still hears my prayers, and speaks to my heart regardless of which one I use, but I do like the thought that the one has a connection to where Christ once roamed the Earth!

Michael is between my 2 boys at one of their friend's wedding.

Now onto the next thing I am grateful for.  I am thankful for the Internet that has been instrumental in planning our trip out West.  I do have to admit I am a bit apprehensive because of all the hiking Clif would like to do, especially around the Grand Canyon and several parks in Utah.  I don't know if I'll have the stamina, but I have been walking on the treadmill at a 15 incline for the past few weeks in preparation.  Then, I  have a fear of the sheer dropoffs.  I would much rather be in a wooded environment with wider trails, but it is now time to explore the desert, and get "outside" my comfort zone.  Towards the end of the trip, we will head over to Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.  It should be a great trip that we are both looking forward to.  Clif needs a much needed vacation!  He works hard.

Thank you Lord for the opportunities You give us to renew our spirits. :) 

Father's Day

I am grateful to be able to spend the day with Clif.  The boys came over this evening to spend time with Dad.  After dinner, their tummies were full which led to lounging around the living room.  Such the life!

     

I am also grateful to have been blessed with my wonderful Dad.  He has been my inspiration, my moral compass, my teacher, and most of all...my Dad!  I am glad that this apple falls from his tree! :)

                              

June 16

Yes, it has been a while since I have posted, but I have been rather busy, and have lots to be grateful for.
    I have been watching Dolly, Michael and Valerie's dog for the past month and then some.  She has come to think that if she hides, I won't find her to put in the crate before heading off to work.  Too precious not to snap a picture!

         

     She will be heading home the end of the week as Michael and Valerie will finally be moved into their new apartment.  It is a 2B2B and 2 stories.  I don't know what they will do with all the extra room.  I'm sure Dolly will enjoy running up and down the stairs.

    School let out June 7.  I took the last 2 days off from school so I could attend my nephew's graduation in Ft. Lauderdale which was at 9am Jun 7.  I spent Wednesday getting things in order while waiting for my sister Mary to come in from Charleston, SC.  I will drop her off at her daughter's in Boyton Beach on my way.  It will be nice having a travelling companion.  It always makes for a quicker ride.

      This is the harvest I will be taking along with me.  Notice how tiny the cantelope is?  It was quite tasty for such a small size.  We shared it amongst 5 people.  I felt like it was the loaves and fish!

        

       We decided to do pictures the night before the actual graduation being Matt had to be there at 7am.  Ouch, that's awfully early!


               Grandpa Harty, Matt, Aunt Diane, and Aunt Trish
       

       Jim, Nereida, Matt, and Chris (what a beautiful family if I do say so myself)
       

        The ceremony was at Nova Southeastern University.  His graduating class was around 400.
           

            I stayed for an extended visit.  Saturday, we ventured out to Ft. Lauderdale beach.  I was amazed with how many turtle nests there are, at least 50.  We are adventurers, so when Matt and Jim noticed bait fish getting pushed upon the seaweed with the passing waves, they decided to catch one.

          
                                       

           

            Lastly, I had to take a picture of the beautiful blooms on the tree across the street from Jim.
            God's creations always take my breath away. :)
            

             Sunday, Dad and Mary headed home with me.  We made a stop in Stuart to visit Aunt LaDon and have lunch with her, then continued on our way.  Mary stayed Sunday night, and continued home Monday morning.  Dad stayed until Thursday.  I was very thankful to have special time with Dad.  We went to Planet Fitness everyday.  There he could get in his 2 mile bike ride, and I could have my normal "day at the gym".  We also had a picnic lunch at the Dinky Docks in Winter Park in hopes of spying the black bear in search of a mate.  He had parked himself in a tree along Aloma Ave. We have had four black bear sightings in the past week.  Two of which were tranquilized and relocated to the Ocala Forest.  Who would think you would have "urban" bears in Orlando!  Thank you Lord for the Blessings of a wonderful week full of festivities and family bonding time.  The events that foster fellowship are what life is all about. :)

          

June 3

I am grateful for many things this weekend.  First of all, I am thankful that Clif had a Saturday off.  We used it to go shopping.  We have many guests planning on staying with us during the summer months.  After the last visitors (Michael and Valerie) complaining of the discomfort experienced from such worn beds, we headed out, and purchased new ones!  We are hoping our guests will find these to be comfortable. :)

Today, I am grateful to have had an opportunity to run a 5k on the treadmill at the gym...and then some.  For me it was an amazing feat.  I was able to go 4 miles in 55 minutes (including the 5 minute cool down)!

Also, with only 4 days left of school, 3 of which I am willing to work, I was able to book Tuesday.  I ran into a teacher at Publix who said she was looking for someone, and didn't want just any person in her room.  She was shocked I was available.  I was glad I ran into her! :)  Now I only need to fill 1 more. Yeah!