Good morning from the not really changed Interior! I receive my house inspection sometime today and there was a group of young girls in the hall yesterday, washing down all the walls and door lintels in preparation for the painting starting tomorrow.

Farrah was kept busy all day watching the shadows under the door and listening to all the chatter.The conversations I overheard all day made it clear that they thought they were alone in the building!

In the common room downstairs, there is coffee or hot water, tea or those bags of instant cocoa,  24/7 and usually some type of baked goods, but I rarely spend time there. There are some, especially some men who seem to also be there 24/7 and I always feel sorry for them.

I used to have all the latest kitchen gear but I find myself slowly giving it all away. I tend to make everything up twice a month and then place in one or two cup freezer bags.  Meals are then a snap with a bag of meat, one of rice and one of peppers or onions and then spices.

I have an electric skillet, small slow cooker and one pot and one pan and even that is rarely used.

halkel--You were fortunate to find and good and reasonable plumber.

Callie--I know you will miss Miss Ellen.  If you have extra cookies, could you please put them in the hidey hole?

June--I hope your leg and foot get to feeling better.  Hope you can attend the activities you want to.

angelface--It's great that you like the place where you live so well.

Joan,  of course I'll put extra cookies in the hidey hole!  These are sugar cookies with the dough tinted watermelon pink.  The dough is chilling now but will be rolled and cut with a round cutter.  Each circle will be cut in half and have 3 miniature chocolate chips added before baking.  After cooling, the edges will be rolled in green frosting - and we'll have "Watermelon Slice" cookies!  How's that?

Edit:  This is the same recipe I cut out of a magazine several years ago:  http://allrecipes.com/recipe/11468/watermelon-cookie/

June,  Ellen is in Tulsa - not Texas - so she's just up the turnpike in eastern Oklahoma.  .   However, I don't think she'll have time (or inclination) to come back very much and she fully intends to try her wings farther afield when these two productions have finished in September.  Angels have wings - and we must let them fly.   

Callie--Thank you, thank you.  You are so clever to make cookies that resemble watrmelon slices.  I'll check the hidey hole a bit later.  By that time the cookies should be done.

Larry. I just cannot get in the mood to change cars. Use to be I would not keep one more than 4 years. Then it went to 7 years and now on this Honda Accord. I bought it new in l991 At a price of 21.300. and like I say just has 79321 miles on it. I make sure it has the best of service. I now only pay $298 a year to the insurance. If I get another car even used at my age now insurance goes up to close to $890 a year.  We pay now around $114 for license plate sticker. So take the price of it. Then the gas to run it. Average out about $400 a year to keep them service. Batteries, Tires.  People do not realize how much the pay just to own a car. I know people who go less miles than I do.

Been single now 50 years. I started out aiming not to have a Mortgage Payment, Auto Payments and stuck to it.  I was lucky to have good jobs before I retired at 62.  Still have the same house and would buy another new car when I could just pay cash difference. So I have had 5. First 4 before the Honda. For some reason I just don't get the thrill of driving a new car.  My children say  I am becoming a Miser.  Not true.  I spend money traveling and have made at list 14 trips back to UK and Europe. Covered most of the US states, Canada and Mexico. done cruises.  Etc.  So I tell people that remind me that my car is old.  and may be should be moving into a nice Condo and not having to worry about keeping house up . I tell them I prefer to spend money my way.

I'm "home again, home again, jiggety jig".  Today went pretty fast and my foot didn't hurt at all, thank you God (and Dr. Lillmars with God's help.)

Larry, the taxes where I live now are less than half what I was paying where I lived all the years my kids were growing up.  But my income is also a lot less than half what it was back in those years, percentage wise.  The taxes are still difficult to do.  I do have an ace in the hole.  Pennslvania has a property tax rebate for Seniors based on our income.  I get back about 25 percent of what I pay in.  And that is distributed right after July 1st so I should have it in time to augment my savings.  However, I was counting on it before the car needed service so I'm still a bit short.  I'll work it out, though.  I'm a survivor!  And the car A/C will wait until I'm ready to do it.

Now I'm going to go collect a few zzzs out of the sofa cusions and then go to the Farmer's Market close to closing time and hope for some markdowns.

I forgot who said it but the produce in our grocery stores is NOT what is offered at either one of the Farmers Markets here.  And it's definitely NOT what the Weaver family offers on Friday and Saturday.  And yesterday when I had occasion to travel some of the country roads within about 10 miles of my home, I encounterd no less than 8 farm stands outside barns and house along the road.  They were offering their produce at VERY good prices and VERY fresh.  The only time I don't feel lucky to live where I do is when I have to get to an airport...waaaaaay over there!

Joan, no demerits points today.....just swept the room with a glance and thought ok for now  I did get some weeding done in the garden but to me that is a joy to do.

JeanneP--I think we all have different ways of deciding how to spend our money.  That's another "whatever floats your boat".

Janie--Glad that foot is not causing any pain.  We have no produce stands anywhere close.  Lucky you.

Amy--OK--A glance doesn't get demerits.

I went off this morning with Kelly
to do my weekly grocery shopping and trip to the Good Will ...     I packed up my
FoodSaver V2244 Vacuum Sealing System
and an Instant Pot IP-DUO60 7-in-1 Multi-Functional Pressure Cooker   and delivered it to my
Grand daughter Madison,  who has taken over
cooking for their family.   

She has been doing this for a few months now  and is and exceptional gourmet cook.     She also recently gave birth to my Great Grand daughter, Ophelia.

I loved both the Vaccum Sealer and the Instant Pot 
Pressure Cooker,  but I am not using them at this
time.     I also prefer a couple of pans and
my Panasonic Inverter Microwave.       
Keeping is simple is  what I choose to do
these days and I am sure that the Sealer and
Cooker will get a good workout in their big
family. 

All is well,  cool and rainy  (much needed)
here in Portland.

Sandy



   

JeanneP, you remind me of a man who had coffee at the same time our group did in a nearby restaurant.  He did not smoke and I remarked that he probably had nothing to show for it.  He said he did; he was able to travel.  I had not worked long, nor traveled, but I think I could say the same for me in later years.  My car was 13 years old this year when I sold it to my great-niece.  My condo was paid for shortly after I moved here (35 years ago).  I retired at 62 also.  I am now old enough that I don’t want to travel much, however, I still am considering going to Indy this year.

Jane, I wish there were farmer's markets near here but since I no longer drive, I can't search for them.

Mary Ann

Sandy--If you no longer use those items and Madison is doing the cooking for the family, I am sure she'll get lots of use from them.

Mary Ann--I, too, wish there was a farmer's market close by.

We do have 3 farmers markets now started in town. Wed. Thur. Saturdays. Then can also find them with their roadside stall down in the Amish Area.  Some of them come up to the markets in town. Now Corn. Tomatoes, Watermelons. Lots of the farmers with have their trucks parked around town when it gets to August.  Little early yet for a lot of the things.

Jane S On taxes for Seniors. Here you deduct it from your payment prior to paying. I think there is some kind of a deduction you can request if income under a certain amount But younger people can get that also along with a deduction in Utilities etc. 

Mary Ann. Maybe it will be cooler in Indy come fall. To hot for you to be heading that way now. Daughter just left for New Orleans with 3 other women . Asked if I wanted it but not in this heat. Don't like to travel much in summer.

I live in the midst of many farms, some of the many descendants of dust bowl farmers sent here by FDR. There are two summer farmer's markets as well as a special organic slash farmer's market that is indoors, year around and from local suppliers. There are no roadside stands although I have heard some of the Mennonites in Delta are petitioning to be zoned for some. Delta is twenty-five miles from here and is mainly farming.

I have a share in a local farm's products that I originally started from my last position before retirement. It's a paid selection, one of three options offered by Calypso and other area farms. And of course, after age 62, I receive a senior price reduction.

I also have good friends who supply me with lots of Alaska fish and game as I need to stay away from chemically processed foods, and they are always cleaning out their refrigerators it seems. So I eat well for so much less!

The hallways looked so clean this morning that I wondered if they had already begun to paint. It turned out to be from yesterday's cleaning crew who while very indiscrete in conversations, did a fantastic job!

It's 2:18 and the housekeeping inspection team hasn't yet arrived at my door.

Joan, phew I am glad to hear no demerit points were given.I did get part of the garden weeded.

Tomorrow we are off and running first thing in the morning, need to take my vehicle back to the dealer to get my a/c looked at. I might not get in here in the morning but will when I get back.

Going to be an early night for me.

Enjoy your evening everyone.

These ideas are varied and unique, not just some old tired ideas! All types of foods, drinks and seasonings using an ice cube tray!

http://www.ba-bamail.com/content.aspx?emailid=17560

Hello Friends - I'm coming in a bit late and several days behind reading all posts, but it's been a busy few days staying in touch with Mohamed and his health checks with our former 2 doctors in Maryland, and listening to his happiness in visiting several friends in the area where we used to live before relocating to NC.

ANGELFACE - I smiled when I read your post RE your paternal Grandfather in Joplin, Missouri.  My late Uncle George Smith was from Joplin and during Summer vacations, I joined his family from our home in Michigan when they visited his Mom and Dad (farmers) in Joplin.  I not only enjoyed the kid's fun we had with Cousins, but also learning how to help Grandpa  Smith do some of the field work.  Or at least I thought it was "helping" when he handed us rakes and shovels (small sized, of course) to help in the fields and huge yard near the house and barns.

JUNE - I also smiled when I read your comment RE Long Beach, CA.  After I graduated from high school, my Mom and I relocated to Long Beach while my Dad was stationed in the Army overseas.  I met a lot of young friends my age when we lived there, enjoyed the nearby Ocean and learned how to dance at a local military site.  That's also the area where I had my first Summer part-time job in a travel agency.

The mention of Mennonites called to mind the wonderful fruit and vegetable sites we shopped at in the Baltimore, MD area.  I lived in MD for long time before retiring years ago and usually made a weekly trip to the Baltimore shop weekly, especially in Summer.  A wide variety of fresh products always could be found there.

We had a bit of thunder and light rain earlier this evening.  Mohamed has been visiting in MD and called several times - once when the thunder was loud and he heard it!

JEANNEP - I smiled when I read your comments RE the car you have and its year.  We have a 1998 Nissan Maxima, which we bought when we relocated from MD to NC many years ago.  It runs beautifully and the Inspection fellow has told us repeatedly that that brand of car will be ours "forever" as long as we keep it checked a couple of times each year and have repairs made promptly when needed.  Mohamed just bought two new tires before he raveled to MD a few days ago and told me on the phone that the Nissan drives as thought it is brand new!



It's always a pleasure to keep up with news in the Soda Shop.  Enjoy the week everyone!

I'm off to Dreamland!  Good Night Everyfriend!  I wish you pleasant dreams, restful sleep and a good day tomorrow.  God Bless Us Every One.

I am really tired tonight Feel stressed and don't know why. Saw my doctor today on a routine visit. She is going to add another B.P. med to my others. I forgot to talk to her about another med that needed a new  prescription..I think that's what has me stressed...angry at myself.

Callie, Sorry..I had a mind slip in turning Tulsa into Texas. You are so correct in our letting our young ones test out their wings. A Priest friend had it right when he likened our children to a beautiful Christmas tree ball, if we held it too tightly we crushed it.

Bis, my foot healed itself around noon time. My Dr. checked my feet and legs again today and said the blood flow was adequate, so I will stop thinking about it.

Molly, Long Beach was a beautiful city at one time, but it has changed a lot as it grew in population. Like many of our cities have done. I'm glad you knew it at that time.

Time to get ready for bed. Sleep well dear hearts. I pray you wake happy and healthy. God bless you all, with Love, Prayers and Hugs. June

Good Thursday morning, Everyfriend.  There's blueberry muffins to accompany your coffee or tea. I wish everyone a good day!!





Left Passenger Behind

A bus driver accidentally left a passenger behind after they had stopped for lunch. Wanting to apologize, the driver called the passenger on the phone.

"I don't blame you," the woman told him, "but I'm mad at my husband for not informing you that I wasn't on the bus."


”Am I Really Forgiven?"
(By Micca Monda)

1 John 5:11-12b "This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life." (NKJ)

As a minister of the gospel, I'm often asked a reoccurring question: "How do I know that I'm really forgiven?" I always give the same answer to each person. However, it's not my words, thoughts or even my own opinion that I offer. I tell them what God's says about forgiveness.

"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9, NKJ) All those who have sincerely given their lives to God and trust Him alone for the forgiveness of their sins have eternal life. It's not a feeling. It's a fact that we must act on in faith.

My eldest son's father died when he was four months old. Two weeks before his accidental death, my husband purchased life insurance. I've always considered that money as a gift to my son and me from God, our Provider. Like any mother, I wanted only the best for my son. I chose to live on very little and place the insurance money in a CD under the name of our son so that one day he could go to college. That day arrived all too quickly.

I'll never forget my son's reaction when I gave him this gift. He was shocked and overwhelmed. Through the years, the amount had grown significantly. At first, my son had a hard time receiving the large gift. It was unexpected. He had not worked for it, nor did he feel that he had earned it in anyway.

"What a sacrifice you've made for me to have this, Mom." My son said softly.

"No, I said. "I didn't make the sacrifice, son. You're Dad did."

It would have deeply saddened me if my son had chosen not to receive my gift. What about all those times I held onto the money when I could have used it to prevent hardships? What about the wasted opportunities that passed by to help someone else in need? But that is not what this gift was for. I didn't raise a dummy! It would be foolish for my son not to accept the gift and use it for college. That's just what he did.

Forgiveness is a free gift offered to us by our heavenly Father. While it cost you and me nothing, it cost our Savior His life. How foolish it would be for us to doubt it or not to accept it at all - for it's the way to peace. We can't earn God's forgiveness and we don't deserve such an unspeakable gift, but our heavenly Father, who loves us beyond measure, offers it freely. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJ)

If God is a God who cannot lie - and He is - then His promise to forgive is given and received the moment you ask. It's not based on feelings, but fact, and received by faith. "Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free, indeed." (John 8:38, NKJ)

"Dear Lord, thank You for making the ultimate sacrifice so that my sins can be forgiven. I trust by faith that my past has been wiped away and I have been given a new start. I don't trust this by my feelings, but by the truth of Your Word. If you said it's true, I believe it, Lord. Thank You for giving me such a wonderful gift through the death and resurrection of my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen."

Follow-up Application: It's true, we don't always "feel" forgiven. Praise God our forgiveness is not based on our feelings but the work Christ did on the cross. So whenever you need reassurance, mediate on God's truths and pray them back to Him, thanking God for making you clean. In His presence, what is fact will eventually be felt in your heart.




"Prayer is not conquering God's reluctance, but taking hold of God's willingness."

- Phillips Brooks

Good morning everyone.
We are off and running ...so just a quick good morning .
Joan thank you for breakfast.
Enjoy your day everyone.

Good Morning Everyfriend!  I'm up and attem this morning.  I think maybe we went to bed too early.  Both dogs needed to get up at 4:30 and go out.  But they did go back to bed after that and now we are up for the day.

I hope you all have a great day!

Good morning, Amy.  Travel safely.  I hope there's nothing major wrong with your vehicle's a/c.

Janie--Good morning.  Since you were up early there probably will be some zzz's waiting for you on the couch this afternoon .

I wouldn't be a bit surprised, Joanie!  I'm off to get ready for my shift at Wally World. 

Good morning!  The plumber came yesterday afternoon, fixed everything, now all is well again.  The checkbook is a little skinnier but the annoyance over something not working right is gone.

I'm off to get my hair cut this afternoon.  Not really looking forward to it since it is supposed to be near 100 deg. this afternoon and humid.     Oh, well, summer is here officially.....I'll just live with it.

Make it a good day, my friends.

Good-morning everyone!

I too am up and attem.  Call cleaned up and shaved and getting ready to leave for mens breakfast and bible study.  Then off to see the dentist and get a cleaning.  And right now I think that is all.....

Everyone have a good day.

Hi everyone.  We are starting our day already at 78 degrees and headed to 96 this afternoon.  I plan on going to coffee and then a quick stop at the Walmart Pharmacy to get the rest of the prescription on the medicine I picked up yesterday morning.  We don't have the Wisdom group at church today as the minister had to attend a meeting out-of-town.  I emptied the dishwasher this morning and watered my plants on the patio and a couple of other things and then had to sit down for awhile as was exhausted.  I have now watered the flowers on the front porch so my outside chores are done for today. 

We stayed home for our evening meal yesterday as Pat felt it was too hot to try to get out and eat.  It worked out well as Scott didn't get here until after 6:30 so we had a late dinner. 

Hal, glad your experience with your plumber was a good one.  At this time of the year the things we can get at a farmer's market are usually from the larger suppliers that have imported the items.  We have had some really delicious corn on the cob this year, including last evening.

Callie, Tulsa isn't that far from Oklahoma City and surely Ellen will make periodic visits back home.  Nice she could transfer her job.

Jackie, you are right about workmen being on-time. I have had pretty good experience with people doing what they say they will.  Glad you got the photo taken so quickly. 

June, glad to see your foot and leg were feeling better.  What a nice feature to have the counter open 24/7 for those snack items including the fruit.  Fortunately the services not provided by your home are not needed very often. 

Callie, that isn't many chocolate chips or did you leave off the zero from the 3?  It could be a seedier watermelon.   

JeanneP, you are certainly right about how expensive it is to maintain a car.  I agree that it is no one else's business how we spend our money.  We did take a mortgage on this house but knew we would not stay here long enough to every pay it off.  It was nice not to have house payments for many years but the mortgage is doable and it might be that when we no longer can stay here that Scott will want the house. 

JaneS, the tax rebate based on income seems to be a very good things.  We have a homestead exemption that we will finally be eligible for starting in January of next year.  I really can't complain about the taxes on our house nor could I on the house we had in Georgia. 

Sandy, nice of you to give your granddaughter those kitchen items you were  not using.   

Phyllis I try hard to get most things I do scheduled for the mornings rather than afternoons.  Glad the nagging plumbing problems are now just a memory.   

Janie--For sure they will be there.

Good morning, Phyllis.  Glad you got the plumbing taken care of.  It was 81° at 4 a.m. and is going to be near 100°.  Yuck.

halkel--Good morning.  Hope it's not so hot there.

Good morning, Larry.  You've got the heat and humidity that we do.  I am staying in again today.

Just checking in.  Back from church, now headed out for some gas and my dentist appointment.  Getting hot out, so I wont tarry along the way.

Good morning to all those on the left coast, and good afternoon to all you dear folks on the right coast, and good day to all those in between. We have been Blessed by a New Day. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

I woke up shortly after six A.M. and someone has stolen  some of the hours between then and now at 9 a.m.  Whatever shall be shall be.

Janie, how do the dogs wake you in the very early hours ? Do they bark, whine, nuzzle you or breathe in your face. But what good little critters they are not to leave spots behind on their way out the door.

Larry, I think the most important thing we receive here is all the medical care. Our clinic downstairs is also open 24/7. A R.N. is on duty at all hours. We have been celebrating Luau all week and today is the big celebration. From 11 to 12 we have a Luau Luncheon, then picture taking in the gazebo, a a performance by Mahaha Polynesian Entertainment. Yesterday we had a large group of Hawiian singers and they taught us what to do with our hands..the movements tell of the rain, clouds, sun, wind, etc.

I have had my breakfast, so I think it is time to dress and check out the rest of the world. Our high is supposed to be in the 80's. I hope that is correct as most of the entertainment will be out of doors today, and I don't want to miss anything. So Onward and Upward my friends. We shall return.

halkel--I wouldn't tarry in the heat either.

June--The Hawaii celebrations sound like fun.  I hope it doesn't get too hot and you can enjoy the luau.