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Long and ugly day here - 4/4/2008 8:40:39 PM
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dianetavegia
Posts: 1825
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline
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 Exodus 14:14 “The LORD will fight for you, you must be quiet.” Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 
Thursday: Where did the day go? I was up my usual time tho I was quite sure the older daycare girl wouldn’t be here, and she wasn’t. I made our coffee, ate my oatmeal and then got the little one settled down to breakfast while I did my aerobics.
I won’t have the younger daycare child again until next Wednesday. Mom has off tomorrow and Dad has off Monday and Tuesday next week. She’s fun but she’s a handful. Can’t blink when she’s around! I’m not sure when the older child will be back because she’s still running a high fever.
So, Jim went to the school to run and shoot freethrows. He made a trip to the library to schedule a test for college but our head librarian was horribly rude to him so he scheduled it for the university in the next town and wrote letters to the City Manager and Mayor about the mistreatment. There’s no need to be ugly.
Our weather was very icky. It was chilly and wet all day. We’d slept with a few windows open but it cooled down after breakfast and I had to close most of them. My windowsills are covered with yellow pine pollen. In fact, our pollen count is 1,089. Extremely high is 120 and above. This is the third year in a row it’s been so high. I think we need a new ‘standard’. It’ll be weeks of this yellow stuff before we can get it up and keep it up.
I’d tenderized steaks for supper and Jim cooked them on the grill. Boy were they good! We had mashed potatoes and gravy, corn and the steaks. I was very good, only eating less than a deck of cards sized piece of meat and small servings of the other foods.
I talked to our daughter a few times today. She got the job she interviewed for today. It’s less money than she has been making but she can’t keep working all night long and then sleeping only a few hours here and there. Poor kid has it so tough. She’s a trooper, tho.
My mother called and had me call her back. She doesn’t have long distance so will call me from her cell phone. She was heading out to have a massage and hoped to spend the night at my uncles so she and my aunt could go to some function together tomorrow. I don’t know if she got that worked out or not.
I’d listed a deck gate on Freecycle and gave that away within minutes. Wish I’d had six to give away. So many people responded and really could have used it. I give to the first person who responds with a firm ‘want or need’.
When I took Scooter out for a walk tonight, there was a huge Wolf spider on our driveway. I thought it was a curled leaf but Scooter kept nosing at it and got excited. Shoot! That thing was huge! The motion sensor light had come on and I told Nick I think the spider triggered it. DUDE!
Jim’s still very sore. This surgery overwhelmed him but he’s snapping out of it.
Shucks! I want to put cement pavers (patio brick) under my big swing but measured it today and I need 40 brick 12” X 12”. That would be $40. to $50.00. I also need a wooden swing or to make a replacement seat for the swing frame I have now. I’ll think this one through. Jim suggested I could measure out the space and begin with enough brick for under the legs, filling in a few brick each week.
Ephesians 2:4-6 “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
Friday: I didn’t set my clock because I felt sure the older child, who has been very sick, wouldn’t come today, but she did. I woke at 7:15 and she arrived just minutes later. I was a little late getting coffee started and my breakfast eaten, but I still got my aerobics done.
Our temperature was quite low much of the day but jumped 30 degrees in front of the major storms coming out of Alabama. We have tornado warnings and severe thunderstorms expected in just minutes.
The three year old has a new ‘trick’. She hides and soils her pants. She has never done that before but started it while home with mom this week. She’s starting school in August so this needs to stop NOW. What a mess! I need to find a child to replace her and quickly. Her mom is scheduled for a C-section mid June and I won’t have her after that. I have to replace the income or we’re in big trouble. I’ve had a number of children offered me but all were to start in August. That won’t work. Eight weeks or less to find someone.
Jim and I went out to eat tonight at a Mexican place down the street. We saw three families from church and our son and his wife. They were there with friends from work. We visited for a little while with them. I love having Jon and Mary close by.
I got two survey checks in the mail today for a total of……. Drum Roll Please…… $80.61. I have another two checks coming, too. I got a full sized free sample of hand and body lotion two days ago, too.
There’s a few things on t.v. tonight that we enjoy so I’m going to say goodnight. Hope you all have a great evening and God Bless!
Diane Tavegia
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Not another Monday! - 4/6/2008 9:05:33 PM
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dianetavegia
Posts: 1825
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline
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 Acts 22:6-11 "But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' "And I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.' "And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me.”And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.' "But since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me and came into Damascus." Isaiah 42:16 "I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them." Matthew 25:23 "His master said to him, Well done, you upright and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy which your master enjoys." 
Spring Break Ends. Drat! Jim has 35 more schools day and Nick and I have 29. Summer lasts two months.
Our weather didn’t break until late this afternoon. At least it wasn’t cold. We were supposed to have bright blue skies and really warm temps but the fog and clouds hung on and on and on. I really had hoped to be able to do some yard work this past week and then this weekend. The weather just never was nice enough. Oh well. I’ll get to it.
I only have one daycare child until Wednesday. Boy, I sure hope she doesn’t make a big mess again. I was not a happy camper Friday. There’s just no excuse for that type behavior.
Turnout for Sunday School was very low. I had only one girl in my class. The surrounding counties have spring break this coming week. We blame low attendance on anything at hand.
We cooked out at lunchtime. We had chicken, stuffing and green beans. Nick and I had boiled okra. Jim won’t try it. After lunch, Jim went into Atlanta to a piano concert at Emory. They’re free concerts and quite good, says he. I took a nap. I used to take a nap every afternoon.
After Jim got home, we had popcorn and watched ‘Pay it Forward’. The DVD is only $5.00 at Wal-Mart. That’s one of my favorite movies. What a concept. We should all ‘pay it forward’.
Wednesday is Jim’s MOHS surgery on his scapula. I know this overwhelms him and pray this will be all the surgery he needs. We’re so thankful that it’s all been caught in time and his life is not in danger.
My mother is supposed to come this way in the next few weeks. She usually won’t stop by. She wants me to get rid of my animals. I’ve not seen her in almost a year. Jim’s been to her house several times to help her with things. It’s five hours one way, tho, and I don’t get time off. She’ll be going to her vacation cabin two hours from us in the other direction. We went over once or twice last year for the day. Jim went over a number of times to help her with things. He’s a good man and a wonderful son in law.
Well the dreaded Monday is only hours away. Why oh why does the weekend have to go so quickly?
Hope you all have a great evening and God Bless!
Diane Tavegia
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Worked so hard today - 4/7/2008 8:26:58 PM
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dianetavegia
Posts: 1825
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline
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Daniel 7:25 And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High; and he shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time. 26 But the judgment shall be set, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. 27 And the kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High: his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. 28 Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts much troubled me, and my countenance was changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
I kept really busy today. I woke with a stiff back, but it didn’t last long. However, I only did one mile of aerobics because I couldn’t bend and kick. I think I sat around too much on Saturday and Sunday. I was fine within a hour or so. Hot shower and two aspirin.
I washed all our bed linens today and put away some quilts we won’t need now that it’s warmer. They live on display, on a quilt rack when out of season. My Grandmother Weldy hand-made them and they’re very dear to me. I washed bedspreads, too, as well as my usual Monday wash. I swept the kitchen and bathrooms, vacuumed the house and dusted several rooms and all our picture frames. The day went pretty quickly.
I also rinsed off the deck and patio furniture. It’s already yellow again, tho. Our pollen count was 1,705. A reading of 120 is ‘extremely high’. I dusted our Venetian blinds and the windowsills. Even the sills where the windows are never opened are covered with a yellow ‘powder’. It’ll pass in a month or two and then we’ll have to work at getting that all up for the season. We’ll be finding pollen in the strangest of places.
The sun didn’t break through the clouds until late afternoon. Jim didn’t have practice so he was home before 4:00. That was nice. The team only has two regular season games and one play-off game. Tuesday and Thursday are the regular games and the play-off is next Tuesday.
I discovered today that Nick hasn’t been doing two pages each day in one of his books so he’ll have to rush now, or will be doing school work past our 180 days. He was a bit shocked when I divided up the pages by his 29 days left in the school year. He just seemed to think he’d just ‘get it done’. Well, he will, only not two pages a day, now.
For supper, I made BBQ chicken, potatoes and gravy, Great Northern Beans and leftover cranberry stuffing for me. Yum! I hadn’t eaten any lunch. I’d had my oatmeal and coffee when I first got up, but never got around to eating lunch.
I don’t usually watch such shows, but I watched an Extreme Make-over tonight. A woman who’d been bitten by a spider that came home from Iraq in her husband’s gear went from horrific scars to a drop dead, gorgeous mom again.
House is on. It’s a rerun, but I like it enough to watch it again. Hope you all have a great evening and God Bless!
Diane Tavegia
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Fun Yard Work Day - 4/8/2008 5:08:05 PM
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dianetavegia
Posts: 1825
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline
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 Psalm 143:8 Let me hear Your loving kindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul. Psalms 72:18-19 Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen Psalm 121:1-2 “I lift my eyes up to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of Heaven and earth.” Psalm 131:1-2 O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; nor do I involve myself in great matters or in things too difficult for me. Surely, I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother, my soul is like a weaned child within me. 
Another busy day here. I got off to a slow start because my only daycare child arrived 1 ½ hours later than usual. Mom didn’t go to work again today so they slept in. Once she was here, I did my aerobics and took my shower.
Our morning started out foggy and cloudy but the sun broke through around noon. I sat for a while in the sun. I’d awakened with a slight sore throat and minor headache. I sure am hoping I didn’t catch that horrible virus Hailee and her mother have had! I’d prefer not to have children come when they’re sick.
I got some housework done and when Hailee went down for an afternoon nap, I did yard work. Remember I’ve talked about moving my Weigelia? Well, I decided NOT to move it, but to move two of the four Butterfly Bushes that were behind it. They get too big and fall over onto the Weigelia. I moved the two smaller bushes and moved a larger bush from in the middle of the raised bed to the side because the Weigelia is centered. I put the two smaller bushes alongside our deck. I have a HUGE Butterfly Bush at the end of the deck by the stairway so these will add to the look. They’re not a deep purple, like the huge one, tho. The area alongside the deck is boxed in by Monkey Grass but needs some pine bark. In fact, all the areas I’ve been working in all need bark. I’m guessing I need 10 bags to do what I’d like. I’m hoping to go pick some up tonight when Jim gets home.
I’ve got some weeding to do around my Oak Leaf Hydrangeas. They’re against the house, under my bedroom windows. I have a small fence around those, even tho they’re getting quite large. I wouldn’t want Scooter to break them! They’re more delicate and I’ve babied them for a few years. A church friend gave me a bunch of them. Three are very large and one is teeny. The others all died in the drought. Oak Leaf Hydrangeas have clusters of white flowers and they will grow quite large. Eventually they’ll fill in the area under my windows. Here’s what they look like.
I raked leaves from around the deck and removed the ‘cattle fencing’ we’d put around the raised bed to keep Scooter out while the bushes matured. He’s a big boy now and the bushes are well established. His wandering through won’t kill them.
I cleaned out the bird bath in the raised bed and filled it. Within minutes, the water was covered with yellow pine dust. I’ve rinsed off our patio furniture and deck several times a day just so we can sit without ruining our clothes. I had to wash off Scooter! He was out for a short time and had yellow pollen all over his black fur.
I have some Monkey Grass that needs to be removed and some bare places that need Monkey Grass. I also have a big pile of pruned limbs that need to be thrown over our fence into our compost pile as well as a good sized pile of leaves from up against the house, deck and from the flower beds that also needs to be put over. My yard is very large, so all this first calls from the debris to be moved a long distance. Jim’s not able to help. He has at least three more weeks of ‘no lifting’ before he can do any yard work, etc. Our Jon is out of work with a back injury. Nick will help, but he’s certainly not as strong as Jim and Jon. It’ll just take a lot longer but I’ll get it done.
I have a base to a broken bird bath that I need to get rid of. It’s too heavy for me to lift and Jim’s many surgeries keep him from lifting. I’m going to try and roll it down the hill and hope someone wants it. One man’s trash…. Of course, if you can think of something I could use it for, let me know! We’d tried creating a perch feeder but couldn’t get anything to ‘stick’. We even tried Gorilla Glue.
Jim’s baseball game was moved to Temple because the field in Villa Rica wasn’t play worthy (usable) after all the rain. That’s easier for Jim because of not having to bus the boys 10 miles and back. Only one more regular game and one play-off game left. I know he’ll be glad when he can come home each day at 3:30.
I hope you all have a nice evening. Enjoy spring! I know I am.
God Bless!
Diane Tavegia
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Outside again, working - 4/10/2008 7:14:49 PM
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dianetavegia
Posts: 1825
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline
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 Proverbs 9:9-11 "Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you." 
Jim’s surgery on Wednesday went well. He has an S shaped incision on his scapula. The doctor removed a large area of skin, but used a special technique to cut in a shape that allows him to pull skin up to cover the area and leave a smaller scar. Doctor is having him wear a sling when out of the house so he doesn’t use the arm and rip open the surgical area. He has another biopsy NEXT Wednesday with more to come. Jim cried out a few times during the night when he’d roll over or move that arm. We had to change the bandage this morning. It looks fine. He still has stitches on his back. They’ll remove those when they do the biopsy next week. Again, we’re so very thankful all his spots have been caught before any were full blown melanoma or before the basal cell carcinoma had done more damage to his body (2 large spots).
I did get Hailee’s cold, but I tend to get well very quickly. I had a scratchy sore throat for one day and some body aches the next but by this morning, I only have a slight head cold. You’d never know I was ill if I didn’t tell you. Oh, I sneeze occasionally. I’ve just used Sudaphed and Aspirin.
We have bad weather moving in this weekend and our low temperature will be near freezing. I’ve not planted any new plants, so I’m not concerned about that, but I do dread the cold weather. Of course, this time we know it will only last a few days and then be gone until next October or November.
I am beginning to think I can make do with only one daycare child if I put more time into my surveys. I did a survey last night that paid $55.00 with another $10.00 if I complete another survey three weeks from now. No, I don’t have to BUY anything! The survey is on snacks our son eats. We’ll be sent a Palm Pilot to use for two weeks, recording any snacks. We mail it back and then will receive a follow up email concerning the survey which is the one that pays $10.00. I choose to have the money put into Paypal so I have it right away. I’ve had already gotten over $90.00 in survey checks in less than one week. I have another check coming for $27.00 and change, too. If you’d like me to ‘invite’ you to any of my survey places, I need your email address and one calls for your first name. Let me know! Share the wealth, right? I have never purchased anything to earn money. They pay me or ‘delete’.
I worked in our backyard for two hours today. I got the leaves out of my flower beds and PART of the way across the yard, but not all the way. I was raking but gave in and used our gas blower. It’s WAY too heavy for me, tho. I’ll have a backache tomorrow! I used it until it ran out of gas. I accomplished what really needed to be done. I wanted to get the beds ready for pine bark and I did.
I have some Monkey Grass to transplant, but that will probably have to wait until this cool weather pattern that’s moving in has come and gone. Meanwhile, I filled our many birdfeeders and put fresh water in the birdbath. I’ll see how the weather is tomorrow and decide then about moving the Monkey Grass and another plant from out front that has not done well in partial shade. It’s another Weigelia. I’ve had it for 8 or more years and it’s teeny. Really teeny. It should be larger than the one out back. It needs more sun.
After the doctor, we went to JoAnn’s Fabrics and I got some really pretty canvas material to make a new seat for our swing. I’d thought about replacing it with a wooden swing, but that would be wasteful. For $2.75, I got enough 60” wide material in an odd green with green ferns to make the seat! What a bargain! Since our ‘dirt’ is red clay, I won’t be traumatized if Scooter jumps on the seat and stains it. I can always make another one.
Next plan is to purchase the bark and get spray paint for my chairs that go with the patio furniture. They’re at least 12 years old and are discolored/ faded. A quick coat of spray paint will take care of that. Did you know you could spray paint plastic furniture? I prefer regular spray paint. I’ve paid more, gotten the spray for plastic, and thought it didn’t cover as well or as easily as plain old spray paint.
Both daycare families were late picking the girls up today. One was an hour late, but she’d had someone call from her work to let me know she was stuck in court. The girls had eaten a late snack so their day was ‘off’. They didn’t seem to realize the difference. Jim was at baseball, so it didn’t affect us.
I’m quite sleepy already today. I’m guessing all the fresh air, hard work and days in the sun wore me out. Think I’ll be in bed early tonight.
God Bless!
Diane Tavegia
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Lazy Saturday - 4/12/2008 8:53:36 PM
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dianetavegia
Posts: 1825
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline
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 Mark 9:49-50 "For everyone will be purified with fire. Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other." 1 Peter 5:6-8 "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 "But we behaved gently when we were among you, like a devoted mother nursing and cherishing her own children. So, being thus tenderly and affectionately desirous of you, we continued to share with you not only God's good news (the Gospel) but also our own lives as well, for you had become so very dear to us." 
Today's Pollen Count: 3243
Over 120 Extremely High
Well, that was our pollen count before the rains moved in last night. Nick called me to look out the window to see the yellow river running down the road. I’m sure it helped, but it’ll be a month or so before it eases.
We’ve gone out three or four times today. I got my hair cut at the salon in Wal-Mart. Every few months I have the back trimmed so the layers can catch up. The sides are almost as long as the back, but I do have an area where it used to be feathered on the side that is maybe 5 inches shorter than the rest. Since I pull it back in barrettes, it doesn’t show.
Wal-Mart finally has in the 5 lb weights I’d been wanting. We picked those up. The two pound weights were just not heavy enough to do any good. Still stuck at 139 lbs but I can really SEE the difference now.
I’m sure dreading the cold weather the next few days. Now, understand that I mean 58° during the day and 30°’s at night. I was really enjoying the mid 70°’s and bright sun. My arms are already tanned.
Jim’s play-off for baseball is Tuesday. That’ll be the end of the season. He has only 30 more school days before summer vacation. We’re both looking forward to that. He’s going to do some tutoring during the summer, hopefully. He really doesn’t want me to take in more kids. I’ll have only one after early June.
My precious church friend has Melanoma. She’s early 30’s and so dear to us. She and Jim work together. She’s going to Jim’s doctor this week to have surgery. In fact, she’s trying to get her appointment the same time as Jim’s so he can be there for moral support. Jennie has three kids in 6th – 9th grade. I’m sure her husband and kids are terrified for her. Please pray for her healing.
I didn’t accomplish much today. I did a few loads of wash, but really was a bit lazy. I even took a nap on the sofa while Jim was working on a paper for college and Nick was playing his PS2 (online) in his room. We had roast beef sandwiches with au jus for lunch and Macaroni and cheese for supper. Jim wanted a light supper because his stomach was bothering him. He ate something with a lot of spices yesterday.
I’ve got steaks marinating for lunch tomorrow. Jim might head to Emory on Sunday afternoon for one of the three free concerts. It’s amazing the free things you can find to do, if you search. I really like to nap or read on Sunday afternoon.
Tomorrow’s Sunday School lesson is on church attendance. I’m taking in post cards and am going to have the girls write cards to the girls who haven’t been coming. The last few lessons have all been about ‘the church’ and it continues a few more weeks.
King Kong is on. I didn’t go to the movie with Jim and Nick when it came out so it’s new to me. Think I’ll watch it.
Have a nice evening and God Bless!
Diane Tavegia
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Frost, snow flurries? - 4/14/2008 8:41:56 PM
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dianetavegia
Posts: 1825
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline
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 2 Timothy 2:15 "Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved, a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing the Word of Truth." Luke 12:13-21 Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions." And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' "Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."' "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be with those who store up things for themselves but are not rich toward God" 
Are you one of the many people who put off doing your taxes until the last minute and then argue with your spouse, can’t find the papers you need and stay up til the last minute, running to the post office? Next year, be prepared and get it done early. It’s really not worth all the anxiety.
Luke 12:25 "And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span?"
We had a nice weekend. Sunday, I took a short nap. We’d had a good turn out in Sunday School, tho I had only two girls in my class.
Our pastor is doing a series on ‘heaven’. We sang many of the wonderful old hymns, too. There were some remarks about how the congregation was singing out. I’m not surprised. Ours is a mature group of Christians and the old hymns are well loved.
I still have a cold from four days ago. Of course, Hailee is still coughing and it’s been two weeks now. Her mother is a little better but she took antibiotics. I don’t remember my last chest cold, so I’m a bit surprised to have a slight cough. I don’t take medicines well. I’m using Sudaphed for the congestion and aspirin for any headache or body aches. I went seven years without a cold and really don’t remember my last bad cold. I THINK it was 10 years ago, tho.
One, maybe two more days and then we’ll be back in the 70°’s. I am so looking forward to that. I’ve not been able to complete my yard work and then move to some other areas that need some weeding and removal of plants that came from runners. I’ll move those to some other area. I’m not one to kill a good plant. Boxwoods, tho. I hate Boxwoods. I’ve still not decided what to do in the front flowerbed. I really want the four Boxwoods gone, but am not sure of my choice. I’ve been considering Barberry. They have a purple, pink coloring and will be in front of red brick with gray shutters. I’m afraid they’ll disappear since the street is so far away, but I really am more concerned about how nice they’ll look to someone who comes into the yard.
I had a lot of phone calls to make today. I had to call for a refill on one of Jim’s medicines. I called to schedule my mammogram in November. I got a machine and left my info but they didn’t call back today. I called and paid our water bill. It’s due tomorrow and the bill arrived late again. I have been trying to get a school document for Jim. I’ve called several times since last August and finally went ‘over heads’ to the superior and got results.
Tomorrow is the final baseball game of the season. Play-off game. It’ll be so nice to have Jim home early each afternoon. He can work on his college studies and enjoy time with our family. There’s only 29 school days left in the year.
There’s a few good shows on t.v. tonight. Think I’ll curl up with a blanket and watch them. Enjoy your evening and God bless!
Diane Tavegia
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Wow! Amazing results!! - 4/15/2008 8:04:05 PM
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dianetavegia
Posts: 1825
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
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This has been a very busy day with phone calls. Jim’s kidney doctor called about the refill on his maintenance meds. Jim’s dermatologist/ surgeon’s office called once to say they got everything during the last surgery and once to say ‘appointment tomorrow at 3:30’. I’m expecting another call with results of the last biopsy, tho. My mother called. Jim called twice from school. I called my friend who has melanoma. She saw the doctor today and had another mole removed. She has surgery on the melanoma tomorrow at 2:00. The mother of the oldest daycare child calls everyday during her lunch hour to check on her daughter. Jim’s high school called about a request for his SAT scores. “Got to check the vault’ and then a second call asking for a fax to release info. It’s been a crazy phone day!
Another phone call I’ve gotten several times recently is the Republican Party asking for money. I’m quite proud to say that I tell them, not too politely, that they are no longer the conservative party. I do not support John McCain’s candidacy and I’ll be writing in Mike Huckabee or voting for Bob Barr on the Libertarian ticket. They try scare tactics about the ‘liberals’ while offering me a liberal as a candidate? I don’t THINK so. Click.
Jim’s administering the CRCT test to two students today through Thursday. Get this… the kids can’t read. This is middle school and he’s going to have to read the test and the answers to them.
Tonight is our weigh in at church. A friend has offered to give me a ride. Jim will pick me up because Joy teaches a sewing class at church after our weigh in. I’m not going to measure myself before I go. They’ll measure, weigh and do a body fat testing. I did weigh, tho.
**** Wow! I’m amazed! I’m back from my weigh in! I’ve lost 6% body fat and my BMI is 25.4. I’ve lost weight but also lost 5” in my waist and 3” in my hips! The older woman who does our BMI kept telling me tonight that I don’t need to lose more weight, but she’s a lot larger than I was when I began. At my first weigh in, she told me I didn’t need to lose weight, only body fat. I fought her down tonight and told her I know my body and I need to lose another 14 lbs. It IS worth it!
I’ve lost another pound. I’m down 12 lbs to 138. Boy it seems to be going so slowly. I did notice today that my jeans feel a bit baggy. In fact, I can put my fist, thumb to snap and pinkie to belly button, inside my jeans easily. I have a few size 8’s but have just bought 5 pair of size 10’s in the last few months. I can deal with baggy for a while. I certainly don’t expect to ever be down to size 6.
We’re hoping to have a bit warmer weather by tomorrow afternoon. I am so very tired of being trapped in the house. Even sitting on the deck or weeding a flowerbed would be a blessing. I’ve had a bit of a chill with my cold, and cannot wait until it’s back in the 70°’s. So far today, it’s only hit low 50°’s. Another freeze expected for tonight. Ouch!
Our daughter has been without a car for over four months. She’s needed a car repair (brakes). She took it to the shop and was supposed to hear the repair estimate soon. I really hope it’s something she can afford. I hate it that she’s trapped and having to beg for rides when she has a new car just parked. Her Dad and brother would have repaired it for her, if she lived near us.
I’m still hoping I can do without a second daycare child after Hailee leaves this summer. That would give me the option of keeping our car and attending Bible studies at church or going out during the day. I’m so tired of feeling trapped! I’ve been doing daycare for many years now and we’ve had only one car for a number of years. Buying a second car is not an option, either.
Our t.v. came on by itself three times last night and went off by itself four times this morning. I think I found the problem. Jim had swiveled it to watch something yesterday. The plug into the back of the big screen was not fully in. When I fooled with it, the set came back on. I pushed it in all the way and it hasn’t happened again. At 2:00 this morning, I was awakened by a very loud t.v. I thought Nick was still up! I came down and found him asleep in his bed and Scooter asleep on the sofa, t.v. blaring! I shut it off. Jim woke at 5:30 to the t.v. on again. He thought Nick had gone to bed and left it on. He shut it off, went downstairs for a while and when he came up, the t.v. was on again! Strange things are happening in our t.v. room. LOL
It was a hard day in daycare. I heard a loud thump and found the little one, buck naked sitting on the floor. She’d climbed out of the Pack N Play during nap time. She also turned on the gas on my stove this afternoon. She fooled with an electric heater and tried to get out of the back door. Whew! Time for me to turn on some t.v. and relax. Enjoy your evening and God bless!
Diane Tavegia
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I love being outside! - 4/17/2008 9:07:51 PM
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dianetavegia
Posts: 1825
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
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Daniel 1:8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
2 Timothy 1:7 "God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline"
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 "We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going."
Proverbs 16:9 "The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps."
1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Wow, Thursday already? Where has this week gone? Guess what today is. Jim and I met, blind date, 38 years ago today.
Our weather turned out nice earlier than forecast so I’ve enjoyed some time outside. Today and Friday are both supposed to be near 80° with lots of sun. I still have lots of yard work that needs doing. Our temps won’t drop but we might get some rain this weekend. It’s still 68° at almost 9:00 p.m.
A lady in town gave me four pots of Rose of Sharon. One pot has four saplings. They’re all good sized. I’m thrilled! I’ve not decided where they’ll live, yet. I don’t know what color these are. I forgot to ask. I wrote and asked. I have white Oak Leaf Hydrangeas, a HUGE dark purple Butterfly bush, four lavender Butterfly bushes, yellow Jasmine, white Honeysuckle and a white Butterfly bush. Anything will be fine. Our yard SOUNDS a lot prettier than it is. The red clay spoils it all. Oh how I want some sod!
We cooked out for supper. We had Pork Chops, corn and potatoes. It was sure good. I’d marinated the chops overnight. I’ve really been craving sweets! I’d love a piece of chocolate. I don’t have any in the house. I settled for a banana with some low fat Cool Whip.
While supper was cooking, Jim ran to the library to pick up a psychology book for college. After supper, we went up to Wal-Mart and got 10 bags of Pine Bark for my back flower beds. We’ll get some red mulch for our front once I figure out that bed up against the house.
Jim also brought up some yard tools to help me out back. He said we’ll work on the yard tomorrow after he gets home and all day Saturday. I’d used the gasoline blower again today and it ran really ‘hard’. It shut off and then wouldn’t restart. Jim checked it out and saw the long screw that holds the thingy (gas engine?) is lost. Must have vibrated out and got lost in the leaves.
The daycare girls are getting a bit wild and dangerous. To shower, I’ve had to put the 19 month old in the playpen. Previously I could rush and shower while they ate breakfast. She has learned to take the tray off the highchair. To shower before they arrive, I’d have to be up at 6:00. To do my aerobics before showering would mean an extra 30 minutes early. I am NOT getting up at that ungodly time of the day. Jim gets up at 6:45 to shower. I drag out of bed between 7:00 and 7:10. The girls arrive later and later but the one day I try to shower or even do aerobics before they arrive, they come early.
Jim went to have his stitches removed yesterday. Doctor removed the wrong mole for the biopsy. I guess when you have so many, it’s hard to remember which one was next. I’d personally just rather they remove all the large and funny looking moles to be safe. Anyhow, they’ll remove the other one NEXT Wednesday.
There’s 13 more weeks in our weight loss group and I want to lose 15 more pounds. That’s just over one pound a week. I can do that, can’t I? I’m still doing my morning aerobics (2 mile Walk Aerobics) and am working outside as well as my housework. I have my oatmeal for breakfast and either a salad or something very light for lunch, plus a healthy supper with no more than 3 ounces of meats. I’m getting a nice, natural tan. Hope I can make it to 124 lbs by the third week of July!
We’ve been invited to a Southern Gospel Concert this Sunday. I love Southern Gospel music.
Well, I’m going to watch some t.v. Enjoy your evening and God bless!
Diane Tavegia
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Worked outside all day! - 4/18/2008 9:11:00 PM
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dianetavegia
Posts: 1825
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline
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Deut. 26:8 And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders: The Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever. Psalms 18:13 "The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered His voice, hailstones and coals of fire." Romans 8:28 "We are assured and know that all things work together and are for good to and for those who love God and are called according to design and purpose." 
Whew! I spent about 7 hours working in our backyard today. Now, it wasn’t all ‘in a row’ because I had other things to do, got too hot for a while and got several phone calls. I bet I sleep well tonight!
I transplanted the tiny Weigelia from out front, moved Monkey Grass, put down 10 bags of Pine Bark, weeded a good-sized area, raked, picked up sticks and more. There’s much more that needs doing, too. My fingernails are orange. The red clay has stained them terribly. I scrubbed my hands numerous times today, too.
I found lovely homes for two of the Rose of Sharon I was given. I’ve chosen a place for another but we had some erosion in the area and are in the process of building it back up. I have to wait until we fix a gully under my cement stoop before doing anything in that area. It looks much nicer, but I sure do need sod! Of course, before sod would be soil and maybe a retaining wall the whole width of the back yard. That’s not happening!
I’ll go back out tonight and get another 10 bags of Pine Bark. I really want to put cement pavers under my swing. I need 35 sq foot of them, tho. That’s a chunk of money. I’m thinking about getting enough for the legs and then adding to it each week. I’ve also considered spacing them with about three inches between each to save a few dollars, but then figure it would allow grass to sprout and cause extra work. Thinking out loud again!
** Went out and got the bark but I only got 6 bags put out. I cut my wrist on the wire fence, went in to clean it up and it got dark. We’ll finish it tomorrow. I’m worn out but it feels so good.
We cooked steaks on the grill and had peas and mashed potatoes with gravy for Jim and Nick. I ate carefully.
Enjoy your evening and God bless!
Diane Tavegia
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The yard looks so nice! - 4/19/2008 6:35:11 PM
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dianetavegia
Posts: 1825
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline
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 Philippians 2:7-8 "...but [Jesus] made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!" Colossians 3:15-17 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. 
Jim and I were up early today and we got busy right away. It was raining, gently, but Jim began by raking the front yard and then he cut our grass. The sun had come out and what little rain we had dried up. I weeded the front flowerbed and went to Home Depot to get plants. I chose three Barberry and two Night Shade Salvia.
Jim dug up the four Boxwoods and we moved those to the far side of the front yard. We have a spot that has moss instead of grass so we put them there. We also moved some ‘saplings’ of my Nandina bushes and put those along the side of the yard where grass meets nature. I trimmed the two Nandina bushes beside our front stairs and also the Boxwoods.
The Barberry looks really pretty up against the ‘old’ red brick. I got the 3-gallon size so we won’t have to wait all year for them to be a decent size. I also got the larger Salvia with big purple flowers. We filled that flowerbed with red mulch, again to look nice with the brick.
I have four bags of bark for the backyard but I’m worn out. Our weather is going to be near 80° all this week so I’ll finish out back another day. I haven’t made my swing seat yet. That’ll only take a few minutes to sew. We’ll have to get off some rusted bolts, tho, before we can put the new seat on.
We took our yard work garbage to the dump, ran and got gas and then came home to shower and eat. It was a very busy but productive day.
We’re going to a Southern Gospel Concert tomorrow night at a friend’s church. I’m sure it’ll be really good.
My brother was murdered two years ago today. It still seems like just a bad dream. I talked to my mother but she didn’t mention it. I started to say something, but she’s been so ‘down’ lately that I didn’t want to disturb her.
I sometimes wonder what my obituary might say. I came across this one and was amazed. Thought you would be too.
Mrs. Florine Rich Mangum, 91, died Wednesday, April 16, 2008.
Mrs. Mangum was born in Duke, Alabama, on August 5, 1916, the daughter of the late Henry Jackson Rich and Rena Burgess Rich. She was a homemaker and member of Shady Grove Baptist Church.
A normal obituary would recite a person’s work history and achievements. She never held a job, but her achievements were many and great. You see, she has been blind for more than 60 years and lived alone until the last two years. Mrs. Mangum was a faithful member of Shady Grove Baptist Church, where her son would take her every Sunday when she was able. She did her own cooking and cleaning and even babysat her grandchildren. Her most fervent prayer was to outlive her siblings so that she would be able to help them if they ever needed her. She did by four years.
Mrs. Mangum never complained about her blindness; it was just a minor inconvenience. She would be there every Christmas morning to “see” what Santa brought her grandkids.
She earned the respect and amazement of everyone who met her. Mrs. Mangum was a true inspiration and a blessing to everyone who knew her. The lessons she taught us and the example she set for us will be cherished for generations to come.
Well, it’s early but I’m tired and there’s an NCIS marathon on. Think I’ll just enjoy the rest of the day and my family.
Enjoy your evening and God bless!
Diane Tavegia
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Sunday - 4/20/2008 9:23:44 PM
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dianetavegia
Posts: 1825
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline
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 Psalm 5:1-3 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Joshua 1:8-9 "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Romans 5:3-5 " Also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
What did you do today? We had a delicious pork roast for lunch. I put it in the slow cooker just before 7:00 and it was ready by 1:00. The house smelled so good when we got home. I made a peach cobbler for dessert and we ate some while it was still warm. Boy was that yummy! I’m still watching the amounts I eat, but with so much heavy yard work and my aerobics, I can eat just about anything and not feel guilty. I am avoiding high fat and high calorie foods.
I’d put an ad in the free classifieds for some clothes Nick has outgrown and a lady came today and bought 10 pieces. Some were Old Navy jeans he’d only worn once before outgrowing. I figured if I even got $2.00 for each piece, I’d probably do better than through the consignment shop. I don’t feel like I’ve been getting money for everything I take there and they say they will ‘donate’ any clothes that don’t sell quickly.
Jim and I walked around Home Depot before lunch, and got a shrub for one area of our yard. This afternoon, we went into Douglasville and walked around their Home Depot and Lowe’s. All the plants at Lowe’s were horribly wilted. We didn’t find anything else we really wanted, tho I’ll probably buy some Forsythia next week.
We went with friends to the Southern Gospel concert tonight. The group was made up of 5 kids from high school seniors to college freshmen. They sang a lot of my favorites. We enjoyed visiting with our friends and got to meet their parents and other friends.
My mother is in Atlanta for her yearly mammogram and we will try to see her one weekend before she goes back to Mobile. She’ll head up to the North Georgia Mountains as soon as she finishes at the doctor tomorrow. She has so many phone numbers, I’ll be confused for a month now!
Well, I’ll have both daycare girls all week and it’s going to be 80°. Hope to spend a lot of time outside!
Have a great evening and God Bless,
Diane Tavegia
< Message edited by dianetavegia -- 4/20/2008 9:30:32 PM >
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Blech, Monday! - 4/21/2008 8:26:38 PM
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dianetavegia
Posts: 1825
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline
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 Lamentations 3:22-23 "The LORD'S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." Psalms 81:16 "But I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, And with honey from the rock I would satisfy you." 
I really dislike Mondays. I wonder how many times I’ve said that here in the last two years.
The three-year-old I keep decided to pee all over my furniture and floor. Since we don’t have potty training consistency, I’m fighting a losing battle. She won’t be ready for 3-K in three months. I’m only keeping her another 6 weeks, so it’s not my problem. What we won’t do for $1.50 an hour.
Another mom came to buy some of Nick’s outgrown clothes. I really gave her a bargain price. Her son took all the elastic waist pants Nick didn’t like. He took some really nice shirts, too. He wasn’t interested in any jeans or jean shorts, even the brand new ones. So far, 31 pieces of clothing have been sold and I still have a huge pile! I’m thinking ‘yard sale’ but may just break down and take all the other things to the consignment shop and take a chance on being cheated.
My mother made it to her vacation cabin today. She doesn’t have phone service. Since it hasn’t been used since last summer, she has no idea how long she’s been paying for a broken phone. She also thinks her hot water heater may be bad. The cabin is 13 years old but is only used a few months a year. I wish she’d sell the place.
I really, really wanted to get out of the house today. I sat on the deck but really wanted to GO somewhere. We did go out and pick up some pizza for supper. We got 2 small pizzas at a small Greek carry out place in town. You get two for the price of one, everyday. I won’t eat any left-over pizza because of the ‘fat’ and high calorie count. I had eaten oatmeal for breakfast and then a green salad at lunch.
Well, I’m just bored stiff. When I get bored, I used to eat junk. I think I’ll find something to do before I find something to eat!
Jim’s downstairs studying for his final Social Science assessment tomorrow afternoon. He takes it at a college library in the next town. His plan is to head there from the middle school, take the test and then head to Emory in Atlanta for a Jazz Concert at 8:00 p.m. Since we only have one car, I’ll be trapped for real tomorrow.
Have a great evening and God Bless,
Diane Tavegia
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Internet troubles for days now - 4/23/2008 8:46:36 PM
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dianetavegia
Posts: 1825
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline
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 Ephesians 3:17-19 "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." Psalms 22:9-10 "Yet You are He who brought me forth from the womb; you made me trust when upon my mother's breasts. Upon You I was cast from birth; you have been my God from my mother's womb." James 1:2-4 “Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” Proverbs 23:18 "Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off." 
Well shucks. The doctor’s office called and said the last biopsy was an abnormal result, tho ‘mild’, so Jim has to have surgery again. Poor guy is overwhelmed. He wanted a break. I’m just glad they’re removing these before they’re melanoma. Today they took two more moles for a biopsy and he’ll have the ‘worst of the three’ removed in surgery next Tuesday and the others the following weeks. The office was very busy today and Jim just needed a break. They opted for removal of two moles instead of the scheduled surgery.
Speaking of Jim, he had a final exam/ assessment for a Social Sciences (government, geography, history, etc.) college course yesterday. He left the middle school a little early because he has some personal days he’s never used. He got to the college library early. He completed the test quickly, passed with a very nice score and got into Atlanta for the jazz concert. He deserves some fun. He got home after I was asleep. I’d gone to bed early for a change. He took off half a day today, too.
I don’t have any shorts, but had a pair of size 10 light tan jeans that had some white spots on the lower legs where something had splashed (a few years ago when I was previously a size 10). I cut them off and rolled them up so I could sit on the deck and get some sun on my legs. It gets really hot after a while! I went in and out of the house several times to cool down. I haven’t worn shorts in years. Maybe when I lose the last 15 lbs I’ll buy some shorts. It hit 80° today and is still 76° at 6:30. Lovely weather!
So, I have a plan. I’m going to have Jim build me two or three more raised flowerbeds for our backyard. Those will cover a good bit of the red clay plus help with our erosion problem. I’ll need to loosen the soil in each area with my Garden Claw before putting in topsoil and plants. There’ll be no rush to fill the beds with just anything I find. I need to think this through. One area is full sun except in the early morning. Two areas have shade until mid afternoon but then are in full sun until late in the evening. I’m thinking Azaleas, Forsythia and other mounding shrubs right now. Forsythia is inexpensive and grows very quickly. Azaleas have long lasting blooms. Both endure sun well. Think, think, think.
I’ve decided where my other Rose of Sharon bushes should live. I can plant them myself, but need to put up a small piece of fencing until they’re established so Scooter doesn’t dig them up or break them off. I’ve chosen a spot along the fence and by the gate. I have to cut a piece of fencing the right size. I may need some help with that.
Our internet has been down for three and four hours at a time the last few days. It’s very frustrating! My mother needed me to look up parts for her hot water heater and Nick can’t play his online PS2 games when it’s down. Bummer. It’s down, again, as I type. Several hours later and it’s still down. Not only can I not post my blog, but I can’t even look for pretty pictures to share. Estimated time of repair is 10:45 p.m.
We ran to the grocery store for a few things after supper. I did notice prices have gone up on things like fresh produce. Gas is $3.55 for regular.
Internet is up so going to rush and post this…
Have a great evening and God Bless, | | |
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