I love Sundays

It seems like Sundays are always beautiful and today it certainly was. I remember when George still worked and had to fly out on business for the week and he always hated to leave on Sundays. He said it was the best day of the week...he was/is right. Today was cool in the morning, but not too cool. Just right! We put the top down on the convertible to drive to church and was in awe of the day. Church was special again...we're so thankful for our new church home. We went to lunch with friends and ate out on the balcony where we had a view of the ocean and the sun on our face....so nice. Tonight was the anniversary party for our favorite Italian restaurant...yummy food, good music and seeing friends. A truly memorable day...and I didn't take one picture. Unbelievable!

A really good marriage

Really appreciating my marriage lately...it's always been very good, but sometimes you just appreciate it more than others. I'm a lucky girl...my husband is not just my husband, but my bestest friend. He makes me truly happy. I'm very thankful.

Every Single Day Is Precious

George and I attended the funeral today of the 18 year old son of our friend, Donna. What a tragedy! As I sat there and listened to many speakers tell great stories of Jeremiah's short life and of how he lived every day to the fullest, it made me realize and appreciate just how precious every single day is! We never know when the final day will be for any of us so we must enjoy and appreciate every moment, love one another and tell our love ones we do, and live our lives so that God will be honored.

WE'VE BOUGHT A HOUSE!

The Front Porch
Back Porches and Pool
View from the street.

Side path from backyard to front yard.

We bought a house! George has wanted to move off the beach since we've been bombarded with hurricanes - Ivan, Dennis, Rita and Katrina (not to mention the tropical storms which do damage too)…..AND the experts predict more and more for the next 10 years. It's been overwhelming to us to deal with the aftermath each and every time, not to mention the stress of evacuating and living here with the mess waiting for renovations. It's taken me 4 hurricanes and several tropical storms to finally accept the facts! But, finally I've been convinced and we've talked about listing The Martinique and Color Me Happy for sale sometime next Spring. My only problem was I didn't know exactly where I wanted to go if I couldn't be on the beach??!! Well, God has a hand in our plans always and provided an answer! A house that I have always loved came available. The neighborhood is darling. All the houses look like Florida cottages and are clapboard with tin roofs and are painted colorfully and have white picket fences out front and around back. I feel good about our decision. I can see myself living there. Lots of changes in my life though...kinda scary, but exciting!

A Church Home - Finally

I'm feeling truly happy and blessed tonight. After such a long, long time, we've found a new church "home". George and I have been trying out churches off and on since we moved here and nothing felt right to us. I mentioned this to a friend this week and she invited us to hers. Wow...you know how you just know something sometimes....it just feels right? Well, I know in my heart that I'm "home" in this small seaside chapel! I literally cried during church today overwhelmed with such joy to be "home". Thank you God!

Looking for a home???

I heard about a house for sale near the tennis courts and told George yesterday. We went today and looked and really liked it. Feels kinda weird looking at houses. I don't want to move, but these hurricanes are coming way too often. I guess we'll be listing ours for sale in early Spring, so looking now while it's off season makes sense. We'll see. It just feels weird. It needs some work, but we have plenty of time to get things done before we even sell ours. We're going back tomorrow after church and will see if we feel the same way.

Tonight was fun. We took Julie and Steve and their friends, Donna and Jean, to O Sole Mio. The entertainer was there, which is always so much fun. The food was so yummy and we all danced and had a wonderful evening. A beautiful sunset too!

Bad then Wonderful!

Had a terrible day at tennis this morning. One of our players is playing terribly lately...makes it no fun. I can't concentrate at all and it makes me c-r-a-z-y!!!! Not fun!

BUT, my sweet George bought me a new car this afternoon. Awesome. I'm not a car person, but he is, so he's always "kicking tires". He spoils me! Drives like a dream.

Lucky I didn't break my neck!

I fell last night in the parking lot...my ankle turned in my flip flops and down I went. My purse, jacket, keys, tennis shoes (everything I was holding) went flying out of my hands. It scared me pretty bad. I was very lucky...no major scrapes and so far no bruises, but boy am I sore. All over. Amazing! Guess I twisted and turned in a weird way to help protect myself. Couldn't sleep well last night and tonight I'm even more sore. Glad my bones are strong!

Another nice day though. Played tennis with 2 of my regular tennis friends and a new girl I just met at the tennis tournament this weekend. Jo is a really nice person and plays really well. It's fun to make new friends...keeps life so interesting! It was a fantastic match and a beautiful day to play. I love, love, love this time of the year!

My coursin, Julie, and her husband and their friends arrived today from Minnesota and will be spending the week. So nice to see them. We had a nice afternoon on the beach. The water is really churning though...I guess due to Hurricane Wilma although it looks like we've lucked out and it won't be coming here. Yippee!!

I cooked a big pot of homemade chicken and brown rice soup tonight. Yummy and sooooooo comforting. What is it about soup that feels so good?

A Heavy Heart

I had a wonderful day...tennis in the morning and then George and I walked down the beach to visit our friends, Bob and Jennifer, and then dinner tonight at Outback. Yummy. Feeling good since I was able to stick to my low carb diet all day. Even managed a 50 minute walk on the treadmill. A really nice day.

But, tonight my heart is heavy. One of my tennis friends e-mailed me tonight. Her husband was diagnosed recently with inoperable liver cancer. They went to St. Louis for a meeting with a specialist. In her e-mail tonight, she said their news wasn't good and her husband has decided not to seek further treatment, but to come home and call Hospice. I pray that God will lead me in the best way to help her. I cannot put myself in her shoes...I hope I will never face this horror...but I want to be able to help. My prayer tonight is that I will find a way.

Lunch with the girls

Judy, Marie, Rita and Me - Lunch at Rita's

My friend, Rita, is so good about getting a group of us together from time to time to have lunch at her house. She makes it look so easy. Today there were only the 4 of us for various reasons, but it sure was nice. We started at 12:30 and didn't stop talking until 3:30! The time flew by. What a great group of girls. Good food too.

PARADISE IN OCTOBER

Oh my goodness! Today is paradise in Paradise! Absolutely wonderful! I played tennis, then ate lunch outside, and I plan to walk on the beach this afternoon. Unbelievable Day!

GRANDCHILDREN

Don't know why, but today I'm really missing all my grandchildren. It's so hard living away from them. Each one is special to me in their own way. I love them all and sure wish I could see them today!

Smart Aces - Not a Good Day

Jennifer, Susan, Mary, Laura Jane, Jo and me 10-14-05
My partner and I lost both matches today. The first match was a bad situation since one of our opponents was a real ringer! She should not have been playing in this tournament and neither one of them was nice on or off the court. The second match was much more fun. They were very nice and nice players too. Our team made it to the finals for tomorrow (top 8 teams), but since the team we played in the second match today hasn't lost even one match, tomorrow would be just a "wash" for everyone. We all decided not to play since there is no way we could win. Maybe next time. A fun tournament though.

Smart Aces Win! Theresa Has A Birthday!

Theresa's 44th Birthday

Theresa's birthday...drinks on the balcony at sunset then dinner at Jim and Nicks's. Afterwards went to Theo's Pizza Pub to listen to Lou and Nora. Fun!


SMART ACES WIN!

Yippee! First day of the tournament was fun and exciting. My partner, Laura Jane, and I won both matches today! The first one was kinda easy. The second one was on hard court and we had to fight for it. Won in the third set. Whew! Our team won all matches....we're tied for first so far. Gotta play twice again tomorrow.

Busy, Busy

Tennis this morning. Perfect day! Love this weather.

Kim arrived this morning, so she and Theresa were on the beach by the time I finished tennis and then picked up Chick Filet for all of us for lunch and joined them on the beach. Absolutely perfect beach day! So peaceful.

We had drinks on the balcony with George this evening (after his golf today) and then went to O Sole Mio for dinner. Yum!

A busy, but "oh so nice" day.

My tennis tournament begins tomorrow ...gotta play twice both tomorrow and Saturday and once on Sunday if we're in the running. The morning matches won't be bad (9AM), but just thinking about playing at 2PM makes me nervous (the heat, the heat!). My team is called "Smart Aces"...hope we won't be smart asses about winning or losing!

Gotta get to bed soon!

Theresa's Visit

Yeah! Theresa arrived today. We had a wonderful time sitting on the beach and we took a good walk down to the jetties. So nice being able to catch up. Tonight we had drinks on the balcony and went out for pizza.

I'M THANKFUL

10/11/05 Dewey Destin Seafood

I'm thankful today for:

A gorgeous, cool morning of tennis with 3 good friends...a good match too.
Lunch with 3 different friends...an excellent "Hawaiian Salad"...very yummy.
A good walk on the treadmill.
Boating and drinks and good music around the harbor with John and Tania and Bob and Jennifer...perfect boating conditions.
Dinner by boat to Dewey Destin Seafood.
A safe trip home in the dark.
Coffee and dessert back on our balcony.
A husband that still like to pinch my butt!.... A wonderful and healthy marriage.
My children and their spouses and our grandchildren.
Friends and family.
My health.
Realizing that I'm a very lucky girl and that I never take any of it for granted.

KINDA FUN

Found this...kinda fun : www.blogthings.com/whatdoesyourbirthdatemeanquiz

Here's what I found for my birthday:

Your Birthdate: September 24
Born on the 24th, you have a greater capacity for responsibility and helping others than your may have realized. You may also become the mediator and peacemaker in inharmonious situations. Devoted to family, you tend to manage and protect. This birth date adds to the emotional nature and perhaps to the sensitivities. Affections are important to you; both the giving and the receiving.

A CONVERTIBLE DAY

I'm a lucky girl! A wonderful day...sunny, a little cooler...perfect for my convertible. This is one of my favorite times of the year...Spring too. Tennis this morning was awesome. We all kept thinking how lucky we were to be out there. Perfect! I told "G" tonight that we really need to take the boat out tomorrow afternoon. It won't be long before boating will be over for the year. I don't take these times for granted. God is so good to me.

Seafood Festival

A nice Sunday. "G" and I met John and Tania and Bob and Jennifer at The Seafood Festival. A beautiful, sunny day! We all walked around and looked at all the booths and had lunch, even splurged and had a yummy funnel cake. Nothing special really, but I feel lucky to spend a nice afternoon with friends.

A GREAT MOVIE

"G" and I went to see FLIGHTPLAN with Jodie Foster tonight. A great movie! Jodie Foster is an unbelievable actress.

Missing "B Bear"

Me and "B Bear" in July 2005

I'm missing my "B Bear" today... a whole bunch! Just chatting on the phone isn't enough some days...I want to be with her...I need her hugs.

There's No Place Like Home

We came home a few days earlier than planned since "G" came down with a nasty cold and a weather front came through and they predicted lots and lots of rain for days. We drove home in rain the whole way. Yuk! We're both glad to be home though. There truly is "no place like home".

Ready for a hot bath, my book (I'm enjoying the Mitford series by Jan Karon and I'm on the third book), and then my own bed. Dreamy.

Back to The Reserve At Lake Keowee

Taken on the lawn of The Reserve Clubhouse
Taken standing in front of our lot!

After breakfast, we left Chattanooga and headed to The Reserve at Lake Keowee where we've bought a lot and will build soon. What a beautiful and peaceful spot. Bob and Jennifer got there a few days before we did. A fun day exploring and celebrating. We found a great place in Seneca for dinner.

I'm in awe of the blessings I have!

Dentist then Chattanooga

"G" and I both got good reports from our dentist after our annual cleaning. Yippee! Glad that's over with. Dr. "C" isn't just our dentist...he's a good friend. It was great getting to see him and hear how his family is doing. His girls are growing up!

After lunch in Nashville, we drove to Chattanooga to spend one night with Rudy and Sharon. We had a wonderful visit. I hate that we don't get to see them as often as we would like to, but it's so nice to have friends that you can pick right up where you left off last time you saw each other. Good, true friends! They took us to a great restaurant downtown. Sharon and I even had time to play Mexican Train dominos after we got back home.

I FEEL BLESSED

It was an awesome day! It was wonderful getting to have breakfast and dinner with Beth and lunch with Bethany. They both looked great and we talked fast and furious catching up! Too little time though...never enough. I drove around Bellmeade and Green Hills alot today and enjoyed revisiting all my old haunts. Amazing how little has changed...even found that alot of the employees at my favorite places are still the same....and they remembered us! We left over 6 years ago! I did some fall/winter shopping and actually had some luck.

My tummy is full and my heart feels blessed after today, so I'll go to bed with a smile on my face!

Nashville - feels like home!

Just got back from having breakfast with Beth at The Pancake Pantry....yum! Gonna meet Bethany for lunch at The Green Hill Grill....another fav of mine. "G"s meeting some of his friends all day too, then we're both having dinner with Beth tonight at PF Chang's...another yum!

I rode around this morning...went past our old house on Golf Club and went by Whitworth, but couldn't get in since I don't know the code for the gate. Amazing how great it feels to be back and how everything comes back to me so naturally. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Nashville. What a great city. I think it's a great place to live and raise children. So glad we lived here when "B" was growing up. A good size city...not too small and not to big...just right (I sound like The 3 Little Bears!). I wish the leaves were changing though... my favorite time of the year here. Well, almost...I love the springtime too. Nashville just feels like home, more than Atlanta ever did.

Nashville!

We stopped in Birmingham at the mall to have lunch and break up the trip and shopped for about an hour. The trip was pretty easy. We arrived in Nashville in time to have dinner at one of our favorite places and then went to Beth's. She looks so good...unbelievable that she was soooo sick not too long ago. It's the best I've seen her since she first found out she had MS. Makes me happy. She actually is letting me use one of her cars since "G" will need ours tomorrow. We're both going in different directions seeing friends for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I love Nashville and it's great to be here. Busy schedule, but alot of fun since we're seeing so many friends.

Five Finger Prayer

Finished packing and was checking e-mail tonight before getting into bed and saying my prayers. I received the neatest e-mail from my friend, Marie. I had never heard this before...This is beautiful - and it is surely worth making the 5 finger prayer a part of our lives.

5 Finger Prayer:
1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."
2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.
3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.
4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them. 5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

I Don't Like Packing!

Spent the day getting ready for our trip. I sure don't like packing! It's hard packing for one week, so I can't even imagine how I'll do it for a three week trip in January for Austrailia/New Zealand.

Talked to Bethany in Nashville about seeing her while we're there. She was soooooo excited and we've plan to meet for lunch. Can't wait to see her.

Talked to Sharon about seeing her in Chattanooga and she sounded excited too. She and Rudy want to show us all around downtown since lots has changed since we were last there. Always fun to see them.

I'll get to see Beth again and Bob and Jennifer are meeting us at Lake Keowee! Lots to be thankful for!

Now I'm excited about the trip too! Back to packing.................ugh!