Sunday, June 17, 2012

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! :)

                              

Saturday, June 16, 2012

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. :)

          

Sunday, June 3, 2012

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!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

May 29

I was grateful for an unexpected day off.  This allowed me to hook up with a couple of friends this morning and join in their exercise routine.  It's nice to be able to come together on the spur of the moment. :)

Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Day May 28

Happy Memorial Day.  Even though we had intermittant rain bands and winds today from TS Beryl, it didn't put a damper on our celebrating with the boys. (Valerie was with her parents, and Amber is in Seattle on Nat'l Reserve Duty).

We put out our American Flag.  We are grateful for those men and women who serve our country.  Their sacrifices made are truly appreciated.  The flag did have to come down during a torrential downpour. :(

Michael smoked chicken breasts on the smoker.  They were almost finished before another torrential rain band came through and snuffed out his fire.  He finished cooking them in the microwave.  At least he had a good two hours of little rain.  They turned out very tender and juicy.  YUM. :)

 Clif and Stephen had time to build a train base for Stephen.  He has been working on the plans for a few months now, and it's nice to see his efforts coming to fruition.  He will be putting it in his spare bedroom in his apartment.

        
After dinner, we enjoyed playing Ticket To Ride.  Now Clif and I are just enjoying a little quiet time before the start of our new work week.  It has been a very relaxing weekend. For that I am grateful. :)

Sunday, May 20, 2012

May 20

I am grateful today to have had Michael and Valerie come over for a visit.  Michael made stuffed smoked jalepeno peppers (peppers of course from the garden), and Valerie made a patriotic layered cake she found a recipe for online.  Both were very tasty.

While in the garden, Michael noticed a black racer had managed to entangle itself within the netting for the cucumber plants.  I had noticed the "black tubing" yesterday, and thought to myself, "what kind of contraption is Clif making now?"  It didn't occur to me to take a closer look!


The snake is now free to roam about the neighborhood and eat whatever rats and mice that are scampering about.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

May 19

I haven't blogged for almost a week now, and it isn't without reason.  I have to admit that I have fallen off the wagon of "being grateful" for something everyday.  Monday was a horrible day at work.  After much reflection in the evening, I came up with a game plan as to not have a repeat on Tuesday as I was in the same class.

I was grateful Tuesday that the day was a stark contrast, much much better!  However, I do have to admit I was blindsided as I was asked to fill out a "witness" report of something which took place on Monday.  I won't go into specifics other than, I admit I made a mistake, apologized to the students on Monday of such said mistake, and released it.  There are always consequences for behavior whether desirable or not.  This one was not to be desirable.  Anyway, long and short of it is...I won't be going back to that school.  The 4 day job assignment for next week is cancelled, and life goes on.

On Wednesday, I happened to have taken myself out of the system so I could go to my doctor.  I had been feeling an abnormal amount of anxiety for over a week, blood pressure had been elevated, I had been bitten by a tick Apr 29, etc.  The doctor had asked, "do you know the source of your anxiety?"  I stated he wouldn't believe me if I told him, but he coaxed it out of me.  I told him it is "Spiritual Warfare".  Within myself, I always become uneasy when a premonition is coming down the pike of the unknown.  When it is such an unsettled feeling, all I know is I have to fervently pray for God's protection that He will bring me through whatever it is.  With that being said, after the appointment when I got home is when the situation from Monday's job came to its climax.  I felt such peace after it happened.  My only explanation (because I felt very remorseful of the situation) is that God is protecting me from a much more grave situation that would have happened next week in the 4 day assignment.

The only thing that is left for me to do is overcome the "negative" thoughts that Satan likes to run through my head, and read constantly God's Word of redemption and love.  Truth be told it's easier said than done.  But, I have faith that this too shall pass, and with God's help, I will be able to walk in His fullness of Grace, and regain my confidence that I "can do all things in Christ who strengthens me"  Phillipians.