The hole in our roof.....

The hole in my office caused by the storm - gross huh? The worst part was that some of my favorite notes I have taken through the years (I really like taking notes from the different books I read) got wet and we all know that gel pens run, but they are my favorite. I am so blessed because it could have been so much worse!

It sure was scary when it hit.

As you can see that was a huge tree branch! I guess we needed a new roof anyway - just an incentive to get it done faster. Praise the LORD that I wasn't in my office when it happened, I would have probably had a heart attack. We were blessed because it could have been so much worse. With tarp on we shall wait until we can fix it. The test is today when we have the rain to see if it leaks - just in case I am not putting anything on my counter in my office. Jerry says it won't so I am so hoping and PRAYING he is right.

Retreat September 20, 21, and 22

Milly, Deb, and her sister Mary Ann - Milly who is close to 90 was able to come to the retreat after she was in the hospital for mini-strokes - God is good. She truly is a blessing to us all.

Some of the land here at Pine Lake, IA - at the right side of this we were able .to shoot a rifle, pistol, and a M1 big gun! What a blast. Of course  Jill did better - and yes, I am afraid I acted bad with envy. We also was able to shoot arrows.  After that we went over to carpet bowling where I beat Jill and made an "a.." of myself. I don't know what came over me! Jill is good at all so many things.

a beautiful bridge around the lake/trail area of Pine Lake

A beautiful picture taken of Pine Lake by Sheila Stevens

These pictures are taken by Sheila Stevens. You can see her picture down below in a goofy wig! She is so special, I wish everyone could know her! She is quite the photographer, a terrific singer, and a wonderful Mother! Also, I may add a delight to many!

This is Sheila - The other ones that I took didn't come out that great.

All of these pictures taken by Sheila above are just a sliver of all the great pictures that she takes. She has even started her own photography business I believe... Is she not great or what.

 Here is Sheila and her sister JoAnna (who has the wig on now), it is hard to get serious pictures out of these girls.

 Jill and I looking like old hippies here. I have the wig on (it was Brittany's wig) We sure had fun with it.

Jill doesn't have a wig, her hair is so beautiful! She is not cutting it until her son Ash gets home - her hair might reach her butt for sure. He is suppose to come home in 2 years or less.

The ladder going up to the zip line that Jill went on.

She is getting all dressed up for the zip line

Here I am saying she is crazy to go on that.

This a foreign exchange student staying with one of the women on the retreat - she was so tiny cute and had quite a bit of courage to go up and do it too.

Proof she is going up

She is getting ready to go

We had so much fun on this retreat. I really needed this retreat. I will talk about it more when I have more time, because I want to keep my memories on this blog... 

Im on vacation....

I can't help but be happy that I am on vacation WED, THURS, FRI, AND MON YEAH!!!
Today I have been goofing off and playing around on the computer and taking notes on a few things. I do plan on getting some house work done later.I plan on going to my mother-in-laws tomorrow and take her to get her hair done, she doesn't drive and that is the least I can do for her, plus it is a nice drive! And not to mention the fact that at the farm she has 9 kittens to play with. Of course they may not all be there now, the mother cats seem to take them to hunt and forget to bring them back and they have to defend for themselves to get back. It is hard to be a farm cat!

Friday Jill, JoAnna and myself will be driving up to El Dora for the Women's Retreat - hosted by our church Valley View Baptist. It has been a long time since I have been on a retreat up there. I am looking forward to it! I will post pictures of some of the fun we are planning to have afterwards. I pray there are a lot of women and we all can be blessed!

Our topic is Marlys speaking on Simply Jesus. Of course we know there is a lot more to this than what that says, and she will explain that in detail. We just want to keep it a simple retreat as the ones in the past I think the women get carried away and the hostess church doesn't get to enjoy it - WELL we all plan to enjoy it and still serve our Sisters In Christ.

So you see it will be good and SHEEP is a big part of this retreat, will show pictures of that later.

Well that will be Fri. Sat. and part of Sunday. Monday is a REST day and a beginning of getting fit! I have slacked off way too much and these extra pounds must come off or I will have to buy new clothes - not going to happen.
I just had to put this on my post since they do like some of the kittens I am going to see.

This is my favorite exercise of all, and so easy to do! I plan on doing that a lot this weekend also.

Or course eating right is a must! I will "budget" some treats in. I learned the hard way when I say "No I can't have that", that is when I want it the most.




 Of course this is the best exercise to start the day!!! Any day. This is the best of ALL!!!!



T

I'm on VACATION!!!

I am here on vacation and so far I have just been relaxing and doing fun things on the computer etc. I am also praising the LORD for the much needed rain we just had, even if it wasn't for much.

Why do I feel like something is missing in my life?

 

It is so silly how lately I have been feeling like something is missing. I mean seriously I have everything in my life that I need. I have a wonderful husband, cat, son, granddaughter, home, a loving church family, job and so many "things". 

If I had to "nail" some of that feeling down, I have to admit I miss being younger. I know pretty vain. I know when we remember "back when" we remember the good times. I really do miss the energy I used to have that the excitement I had going to new places. I miss the days where I did not see wrinkles on my face, my hair was long, and I was in in so much better shape that I am now.

 I miss hiking.  Jerry and I used to hike so much, some of the best times we had were hiking - or walking the trails. It was "our time".

Now it seems like the weekends go by so fast. Jerry is usually always busy on Saturday and I catch up on housework or other things are going on. Sundays of course is God's day. But when we get out of church we come home and Jerry usually watches a race or something. I end up taking a nap, reading, looking at Pineterst, FB, email, and before I know it the day is gone. 

I really need to be thankful, content and realize I am so blessed to be right where I am right now! I know I have seen so many places in my lifetime - do I really need to see more? I have hiked many trails, do I really need to hike more? I know there will be many more times to come.

So what I have a few wrinkles - well many of them. I have less energy but I could be worse. 

I am right where God wants me to be.

 

After all every day is a new day - and the days may seem like they are the same, I know that each day God gives us a special gift. Like when I was walking around the pond at work - I saw a little yellow butterfly - those are Jesus' kisses as I call them. I saw a yellow finch, so cute! Of course those geese as annoying as they can be, I can't help but laugh at some of there antics. 

Now most of the days I have a friend named Mary at work - we walk together at our lunch break. It is nice to have a walking buddy. I really enjoy walking by myself too on my two breaks - when I can.

So rereading this - why do I feel like there is still something missing? 

 

 

I will keep climbing one moment at a time. Really that is all we can do huh?

 

That is a good prayer huh? 

Sometimes I feel so alone, but I am not am I?