I am back up north for a visit. Been here for about 2 weeks, kinda feels like 2 months, haha. I am enjoying catching up with friends, but really look forward to getting back to the palm trees.

Dawna girl, felt like old times sitting in your house and sipping wine and talking and laughing. You have no idea how much I miss those visits. You are still a hoot! And if I can get my nine year old to show me how to do it, I am gonna post those pictures, haha. However...my silence can be bought.

My dear friend shared a quote with me, she said "go to where you are celebrated and not just tolerated". Kathy, I truly feel celebrated at your home. The fact that Larry did not go away on vacation when I came into town speaks volumes, haha. And for someone who does not like to cook, that dinner was the bomb! Yummy!!!

The girls are enjoying their visits with their friends. Savanna is going to go into Katie withdrawl when we leave. Thank God for unlimited long distance. You know how when you have a friend, and you just have this connection with each other, and you know you will probably be friends for the rest of your lives? Well, I believe Savanna and Katie are just such friends. A year apart has not weakened their friendship. They talk everyday. They laugh together and get into their spats, but always make up and move on.

You can learn alot listening to two little girls talking on the phone. They encourage each other and applaud each other. Even when they have their differences they remain committed to their friendship.

Alright, back to the books...

I am reading a book by Joe Vitale, The Seven Lost Secrets of Success. He is writing about the million dollar ideas of Bruce Barton, and the book is loaded with some thought provoking quotes. I will share a couple with you...

"In each generation are a few men who catch a vision so big and steadfast that in the pursuit of it they lose all thought of their own interest or advantages."
Bruce Barton, 1918

"In the long run no individual prospers beyond the measure of his faith."
Bruce Barton, 1921

"In evry human being, whether emperor or cowboy, prince or pauper, philosopher or slave, there is a mysterious something which he neither understands nor controls. It may lie dormant for so long as to be almost forgotten; it may be so repressed that the man supposes it dead. But one night he is alone in the desert under the starry sky; one day he stands with bowed head and damp eyes beside an open grave; or there comes an hour when he clings with desperate instinct to the wet rail of a storm tossed boat, and suddenly out of the forgotten depths of his being this mysterious something leaps forth. It over-reaches habit; it pushes aside reason, and with a voice that will not be denied it cries out its questionings and its prayer."
Bruce Barton, 1927
What Can A Man Believe?

"Many of us are afraid this expenditure of compassion will drain away our energy, deplete us for our own tasks. But the dynamics of compassion defy the ordinary laws of energy. We discover that, like Antaeus in the ancient myth, our strength is doubled by compassionate contact with the blessed earth of humanity...

"Compassion belongs to the other great band of noble virtues- tolerance, sympathy, understanding - all marching under the banner of love."
Bruce Barton, 1942

You have just got to read the book for yourself, but I tell ya, it is filled with some diamonds.

Weight Loss Plan for People With Lactose Intolerence

Eat all the ice cream you want! Top off all meals with a large glass of milk. Stay tuned for my rancid meat diet plan.

(This statement not approved by the FDA or any medical doctors or anyone else with common sense, follow this diet at your own discretion)

Memorial Day Weekend

It is getting really late, but since I was on the ol' pc I thought I'd jot a line or two.

This is Memorial Day weekend. Missing my friends and the picnics! I think last year we were at Wes and Christine's house. Oh well, new beginnings can lead to great things.

The girls and I went to see Night at the Museum today. I actually wanted to go to a festival, but it was rainy, so we went shopping and to the movies. We had fun.

Our new friends came over yestarday. It was a nice visit. I really like them. They are a lovely family. Lisa is very hospitable (and funny) and their girls are such a joy. Savanna is thrilled how God answered her prayers for some friends.

Yestarday the girls and I were talking about Gods faithfulness and goodness. You know sometimes we just get so focused on our immediate problems we forget Who is really in control. We kinda act ungrateful, ya know. Like we are entitled to good things. So anyhoot, I was just so encouraged when Savanna shared with Alex and I how she had prayed for a friend and God brought two. And she was especially pleased that they are NORMAL! haha

Time to go. Have a great Memorial Day everyone.

American Idol

Well, Kris won! It was a tough one. Both he and Adam were good. I bet we hear alot from both of them in the future. It was a good show tonight. Especially the part of in your face bikini girl. haha
24 is over for the season, American Idol is finished for the season, what are we to do now? Sigh!

Season Finale of 24

Last night was the season finale of 24. Sigh! I do not watch much t.v., but I do look forward to Monday nights with Jack. I think the writing this season was pretty good and consistant. I do not think that lady should be president though, she has been weak. I wish they had written her as a stronger character. I was glad to see her daughter get caught and I was relieved that the president did the right thing in the end. Hopefully next season they will build her up more.

So, Jack is dying. Considering the trouble he has been in off screen, I wonder if Keifer is coming back. They can't kill him off, Jack makes 24. Come on Sutherland, get your act together will ya!

Well, at least they explained why Tony is such a traitor. But he still does not get sympathy from this viewer. Jerk!

Well, on that note, my break is over, back to the real world.

TTFN

BBQ, Will Smith & Why do dogs drink from the toilet?

Had a great Saturday. Met a new friend recently, we went to their house for a bbq. Met some more new people. And guess what! They are normal people. Had a blast. They have little girls Savannas age.

Last Monday the girls and I took a little field trip to Cape Canaveral to watch the shuttle launch. It was exciting. What was amazing is, you saw the shuttle before you heard it, and then the sound came in waves. It was a little cloudy, so we could not watch it go all the way, but we saw it.

Drove nearly 3 hours to get there. Made it in time though. On the way home we drove through 3 thunderstorms. The kind that rains so big. There was alot of lightening, and anyone who knows me, knows I am afraid of lightening.

Oh yea, I saw unusual road kill that you do not see up north, a pelican and an alligator. Weird!

So there I am driving, gripping the wheel until my knuckles turned white out of fear of the lightening and I can't see. But we made it home in one piece.

Funny thing about south Florida, it rains in one place, but not another. And then when the rain stops the sun shines and you can't even tell it rained. I do love this weather.

Has anyone seen Seven Pounds with Will Smith? I saw it last night. What did you think? Of course Will Smith was in it, so you know it's gonna be good. I liked it. Cried at the end though.

Also recently saw Doubt with Meryl Streep. The cast was superb. The actors carried the movie with their acting. Good story line, but I personally thought the writing was weak.

Time to go fill the dogs water bowl before she empties the toilet. YUCK!