Monday, July 28, 2008

Update: On Miracle Baby Samuel Born With Thanatophoric Dysplasia, Turns 3 years old!


Samuel is now 6 years old as of August 2011 


Samuel is my nephew his mom is my sister-in-law Evelyn. Our husbands are brothers.

Here is a link to my Sister-In-Law's New blog as of March 2012

Samuel's Mom now has her own blog at:

  http://hopeseed.wordpress.com/


Update Samuel Turned 5 Years Old on Aug 2, 2010 and is still doing awesome things. He now is in school, well the teacher comes to him, but still really cool. He uses switches to operate his computer and toys.





More Updated Pictures: From 2009 to present 11/2010 not in any order














(new update: of 11/10/2009 A few weeks ago Spirit FM 90.5 aired their story. Here is the audio Story/ Interview that aired)



Click Here to Read A News Article on Samuel and Watch A video done by Catholic News Agency

Checkout Samuel's Newest Update 1/16/09 His Trip to Disney & Sea World

Update on Baby Samuel
He was born a Thanatophoric Dwarf. It is Also called Thanatophoric Dysplasia. It is a condition considered incompatible with life. Only 3 have ever been known to survive into early childhood. Well Samuel is going to make number 4. Samuel Turns 3 years old on Saturday and miracle of miracles he is breathing on his own off the vetillator for short periods of time. Another thing, according to doctors he was never suppose to be able to do. Check out his website where his mom keeps a journal. Feel Free to Sign his guest book and wish him a very happy 3rd Birthday. I know he and his family will appreciate it greatly and please keep them in your prayers.

Yeah to Samuel and his Family.

Tags: long-term thanatophoric survival, living thanatophoric dwarf, thanatophoric dwarf turns 3, laughing and happy child with thanatophoric dysplasia



Menu Plan Monday Light July 28-Aug 3 '08

Hi all, I just started a diet program to help get rid of 65 excess pounds that have crept on over the past 5 years, but I still have to feed a family of 5. So I still need to meal plan and I love to cook. I wanted my family's meals to closely resemble my diet meals. I also wanted to improve and make healthier versions of family favorites.

Diet Update
Start Weight 188.6
Week
1) 185 -
3.6lbs
Week 2) 184.6 -.4lbs

Monday
Roll (optional)

Tuesday
Pizza Night (Scout Night)

Wednesday
Deana's Cornbread (not for those watching their weight)
Tossed Salad

Thursday
Baked Burritos (Can use leftover chili for filling if any is leftover)

Friday

Saturday

Sunday
(Just as Easy to Roast 2 at a time, then you will have lots of leftover chicken to add to salads and sandwiches or another meal next week)
Corn on the Cob
Roll (optional)

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Can You Guess Who We Are Dressed As?

I thought I would post this picture of me and 2 of my friends in the 70's. Can you guess who we are dressed up as? I am the one in the bathing suit. The girl in the middle was my Maid of honor in my wedding and the first one is someone I lost touch with after junior high.

This is a quickie post because my in-laws are coming over for dinner and movie night tonight. That means we have been cleaning most of the day.



Nope my house is not always in shape for company. The Book Sidetracked Home Executives has a name for this- CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome)






However I have dinner in the Crock pot- Awesome Crock Pot Lasagna. I made a big tossed salad. I sliced strawberries for dessert. Hubby and the kids whipped the rest of the house into shape. It looks pretty good now, especially with all the clutter off the dining room table.

I think For Movie Night We are Either going to show Ever After or National Treasure 2 We haven't decided yet.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

For the Catholic Scholar or Novice like me: Awesome Catholic Bible and More Software

There was a post on another forum asking which Bible version people liked the best.
My answer:
For Study Purposes I love the RSV-CE (Revised Standard Version- Catholic Ed.)
That is my go to Catholic Bible
However, as a former protestant, I still am a bit attached to my NAS (New American Standard) which I have had for over 20 years but I am loving the RSV-CE more and more.

Also, A Software Recommendation
for the serious Catholic scholar or novice like me.

I found this wonderful Catholic Software that includes the NAB and RSV-CE plus catechisms, church documents, ECF writings and so much more. It is not just Windows compatible but it is also Mac compatible and I'm a Mac person.

The Software is Called Welcome to the Catholic Church and it is from Harmony Media Software and you can download a free trial version.

http://www.harmonymedia.com/CDROM/Welcome/welcome.htm

Welcome to the Catholic Church
on CD-ROM

Contents:
Divine Revelation

New American Bible
RSV Bible: Catholic Edition
Encyclopedic Dictionary of Biblical Terms
Theology of the Body
Maps, Music, and 1500 Illustrations
Catena Aurea
Church Teaching

All Vatican II Documents
Hundreds of modern church documents
All John Paul II documents (1978-2005)
Sources of Catholic Dogma (Denzinger)
Church Documents: Nicea - Vatican 1
Code of Canon Law
Cycle of Readings 1997-2006
The Way of the Lord Jesus
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd Edition)
The Roman Catechism
Teaching your Children (Catechesis)
The Catholic Catechism (Hardon)
General Catechetical Directory (updated)
Summa Theologica (by St. Thomas Aquinas)
Church Organization

Ecclesiology: The Church of God (Bouyer)
Chart of Church Organization
Listings for all United States Dioceses
Mass and Sacraments
The Sacraments
Liturgical Documents
Homilies of Pope John Paul I I (1978-2005)
Cycle of Readings (updated to new Lectionary)
Sacraments and their Celebration
Prayers and Spirituality

Introduction to Spirituality (Bouyer)
Catholic Prayers
Catholic Household Spirituality
My Daily Bread (Paone)
Saints and History

Lives of the Saints (3 Volumes) (NOT Butlers)
Recently canonized Saints
Blessed Virgin Mary (Mersch S.J.)
Church History (2 Volumes)
Some Early Christian Fathers
Church Timeline

Deeny :-)

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Shall We Play A Game?

Wow I can't believe it has been 25 years since this movie came out. I went to the movies with my kids today and found out that for one night only, at select theaters around the country they will be showing "War Games" July 24th for the movie's 25 anniversary. Come on people my age you remember this 1983 movie staring Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy. You remember it's about how he taps into the country's defense computer trying to play a game and starts playing a game called Global Thermonuclear War. The computer however doesn't know it's a game. I love this movie, probably mostly for the nostalgia value. Doesn't Matthew Broderick look so young there? I think Hubby and I need a date night tomorrow. :-)

    The Moral Of the Movie:
As the computer discovers 'the only winning move is not to play,' - a lesson that many parts of the world have still not learnt today.

"How  about a nice game of chess?"

Monday, July 21, 2008

Menu Plan Monday Light July 21-27 '08

Hi all, I just started a diet program to help get rid of 65 excess pounds that have crept on over the past 5 years, but I still have to feed a family of 5. So I still need to meal plan and I love to cook. I wanted my family's meals to closely resemble my diet meals. I also wanted to improve and make healthier versions of family favorites.

Diet Update I am down 3.6 pounds this week.
Start Weight 188.6
After Week
1) 185 I am down
3.6lbs


Monday

Herbed Chicken Parmesan
serve over plain Spaghetti
Broccoli Spears

Tuesday
Pizza Night

Wednesday
Salisbury Steak
My Low Fat Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans

Thursday
Deana's Easy Chicken Stir fry
Brown Rice

Friday
Deana's Chicken Fajitas
Refried beans (canned non-fat heated)

Saturday
Company Coming For Dinner
For Adults
Lime Marinated grilled Salmon
Snap Peas and Rice Pilaf
Tossed Salad
French Bread

For Children
Probably Fish Sticks
Baked (frozen) Fries

Sunday
Awesome Crockpot Lasagna
Tossed Salad
Green Beans

Hubby's Confirmation





Russ was Received into Full Communion with the Catholic Church and was Confirmed Sunday July 20 2008


And What we did the rest of the day. :-)

Cool Bird. Any Ideas what it is?

Friday, July 18, 2008

Menu Plan Monday July 14-20 2008


     Hi all, I just started a diet program to help get rid of 65 excess pounds that  have crept on over the past 5 years, but I still have to feed a family of 5.  So I still need to meal plan and I love to cook. I wanted my family's meals to closely resemble my diet meals. I also wanted to improve and make healthier versions of  family favorites. 

     OK I'm a day late and a dollar short in posting my menu this week (actually 5 days late) but here is/was my menu plan for this week.

Recipes are below if a link is not provided.
Tuesday
Homemade Pizza Night

Wednesday
Meat Loaf (Twin Meat Loaf Recipe but I used all Ground Beef and no pork)Recipe Below
Mashed Potatoes
Peas
tossed Salad

Thursday
Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Below
Leftover Twin Meatloaf
Left over Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup (from my freezer)

Friday
Grilled Marinated Chicken (We have this a lot during the summer)Recipe Below
Green Beans
Roasted Potatoes

Saturday
Healthy Fish N Chips
(Trying this recipe for first time, looked good from her website)
Tomato Salad

Sunday
Light Fettuccini Alfredo with grilled chicken added (made with left over grilled chicken from Friday)
Vegetable Salad
Green Beans


TWIN MEAT LOAVES
3 c. soft bread crumbs
3/4 c. milk
2 eggs
1 1/2 lb. ground beef (I am using 90% lean ground beef)
1/2 lb. ground pork (I am not using the pork but substituting more lean ground beef this week)
1/4 c. finely chopped onion
1/4 c. finely chopped celery
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning
Dash of pepper
Soak bread crumbs in milk. Add eggs and beat with rotary beater. Add meats, onion, celery, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and poultry seasoning. Mix thoroughly and form into 2 loaves.
Place in 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Spread loaves with chili sauce and bake 15 minutes longer. Yield 10 servings.


Baked Macaroni and Cheese
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recipe By: Deana
Serving Size: 6

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/4 cup unsifted flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups milk
2 1/4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided (I use cabot %50 reduced fat cheddar)
8 ounces elbow macaroni (I use a whole grain fortified pasta)
1/4 cup soft bread crumbs

Directions:

Cook elbow macaroni for 10 minutes in boiling water. Drain in colander. Preheat oven to 350°.

In 2-qt. saucepan, melt margarine over low heat. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and mustard until smooth. Slowly add milk in 1/4-1/3 cup increments, stirring constantly, until flour mixture and milk are well blended. Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until thickened. Turn heat to low. Add 2 cups of the grated cheese, stirring constantly until all cheese is melted.

Turn elbow macaroni into 2 qt. greased casserole dish. Then pour cheese sauce over top of all, making sure sauce is mixed in well throughout. Mix bread crumbs and cheese and sprinkle over top.

Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until top is bubbly. Let sit for about 5 minutes before serving.


Grilled Marinated Chicken
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recipe By: Deana
Serving Size: 6

Ingredients:

3 pounds chicken pieces, (really as much as you want to grill) (I am using boneless skinless breast this week that I go on sale for $1.88 per pound)

Marinade:
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

Mix together marinade ingredietnts. Marinate Chicken minimum of 2 hours in frigerator. Drain. Grill as usual

Saturday, July 12, 2008

And God Said "No" & Heaven's Very Special Child

(It is amazing how much stuff you can store on a computer. It can get as cluttered as a real desk. Here are some poems I had forgotten about stuck in a folder on my computer that was buried deep down in a bunch of other folders.)

And God Said "No"

I asked God to take away my pride.
And God said "No".
He said it was not for him to take away,
but for me to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
And God said "No".
He said his spirit was whole,
his body was only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.
And God said "No".
He said patience is a by-product of tribulations.
It isn't granted, it is earned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
And God said "No".
He said he gives me blessings, happiness is up to me.

I asked God to spare me pain.
And God said "No".
He said suffering draws you apart
from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
And God said "No".
He said I must grow on my own.
But he will prune me to make me fruitful.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.

And God said "No".
He said I will give you life, that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others,
as much as he loves me.
And God said,
Ah, finally you have the idea.

~ Claudia Weisz ~

This Next Poem is dedicated to a little guy and his family.
Heaven's Special Child Samuel
Samuel's Website

HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD
by Edna Massimilla

A meeting was held quite far from Earth!
It's time again for another birth.
Said the Angels to the LORD above,
This Special Child will need much love.

His progress may be very slow,
Accomplishments he may not show.
And he'll require extra care
From the folks he meets down there.

He may not run or laugh or play,
His thoughts may seem quite far away,
In many ways he won't adapt,
And he'll be known as handicapped.

So let's be careful where he's sent,
We want his life to be content.
Please LORD, find the parents who
Will do a special job for you.

They will not realize right away
The leading role they're asked to play,
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they'll know the privilege given
In caring for their gift from Heaven.
Their precious charge, so meek and mild,
Is HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Family Day Care Home Information for Stay at Home Moms, Homeschooling Moms, and Working Moms

My Old Family Day Care Home and Information

I think this is still stuff that home school moms of toddlers and preschoolers might find useful. Also useful Information for anyone that might want to start their own Family Day Care home, Or even Working moms that might want to find a good Family Day Care Home

After number 3 child was born and it became very difficult to be a full time mom and full time special ed. teacher, I decided I would leave teaching and stay at home. That was back in 1998. Finances were still tight so I decided while I was at home I would watch mine and a few others. Laws for in home Family Day Cares vary wildly from county to county just not state to state. For those that might not know what I mean by a Family Day Care Home, that is basically a daycare that someone sets up in their own home as opposed to a Day Care Center. It is a very regulated small home business. Actually the way the law use to read in my county (and I will assume it is still the same today as it was 10 years ago). Is that anyone who cares for a child not related to them in their home on a regular bases for pay needs to have a home day care license.

Now as I said the laws vary. At the time I did home day care the age of the youngest child that you watched determined the number of children you were allowed to watch. In my case, since I was watching a little guy under the age of one, I was allowed to watch a total of 5 under the age of 5 and then up to 5 after school age children for a maximum total of 10. I never watched that many. I basically watched my youngest, and 3 other little guys on a regular basis, which left me 2 drop-in spaces that were filled when someone needed me on an irregular bases and then of course I watched my 2 older children.

The license you get actually is for the house you live in. When you move it doesn't transfer as the new house you move to might not meet the licensing standards.

You need so much space. In most cases you need to own your home and not be renting (but I think there are ways to get around that if you get the renters permission). You need a fenced in back yard. If you have a pool or pond it has to be completely gated. you must have electrically wired smoke detectors not battery operated ones. You have to be able to gate off your kitchen. If you have stairs you have to have a gate not only on the top but also the bottom. The list goes on and on. As I said there are state laws but also county laws that vary from county to county. So this is just my county. Anyway it can cost a lot of money to just get your home ready. In addition you have to attend so many classes such as classes on childcare, classes on nutrition, classes on child development etc. It didn't matter that I had a BS Teaching Degree and was certified to teach K through 12. They make you jump through a lot of hoops.

I had a home daycare from '98 till 2001 when we moved. I actually netted more money doing home day care than what I was bringing home as a teacher . When I was teaching I was having to pay for care for my 3 children.

Anyway that is what I did. Here is a link to my Old Home Daycare site. It has lots of lesson plans and things for toddlers and preschoolers. It has a sample of my old Home Day Care handbook that I gave to all my parents on my policies and practices. It has a sample of my Home Daycare Contract. It has samples of my Day Care meal plans. I though my old site was very informative. I think some of the Info could be used by home schooling moms and those who are thinking of maybe starting their own home day care.

I put up this site back when I was using another internet provider. I just assumed that when I switched providers it would be taken down, however they left it up. But because I changed providers I have no access to it anymore to update or change it. Someone told me that I could call the company and have it removed but I figured why bother there is only I think useful info on there. My kids were little back then. What a difference 10 years makes.

Anyway here is the link
Deana's Family Day Care Home Website

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Is Assurance of Salvation a Good Thing?

I am feeling adventurous today so I am going to pose this question for debate. I didn't necessarily want this to become an apologetics blog. There are many good ones out there. I may never do this again, but as I said today I was feeling adventurous. I wrote a very benign post below on how I plan meals today too.  Nothing too controversial about meal planning. :-)

Is Assurance of Salvation a Good Thing?

Think carefully and follow the theme to its logical conclusion.

First Premise: A man believes he is assured of his salvation is confident that he is bound for Heaven.

Second premise: As a normal human being, he has both a conscience and concupiscence.

Minor premise: This man has an attachment to to a particular grave sinful activity (i.e. excessive drinking, sexual sins, shirking at work, etc.), but is otherwise a "good" man.

Minor conclusion: This man sins and regrets it, yet continues to sin.

Initial conclusion: The man comes to believe his guilt about sin is something he should not worry about because his salvation is assured. Thus he begins to suppress his natural guilt when he commits his favorite sin.

Final conclusion: The man concludes that sin is not really important, nor is avoiding sin important, because salvation is assured. He gives up thinking in terms of "sin" altogether and is able to justify any behavior because he is assured of Heaven.

Is assurance of salvation healthy? Is it rather presuming on God's mercy?

Is this logical progression correct? Well, since we are talking in very broad generalities, the answer is "Sometimes." But does "sometimes" mean often or not often?
__________________

Meal Planning: How I was Taught

Meal Planning
This Was the way I was Taught (As in the way my mother did it)
I think this is based on the 5 food group way of planning

Salad
Entree (usually a meat entree)
Starchy Compliment ( usually a potato, noodle or rice side dish. Bread optional)
Vegetable Side Dish
Dessert optional

I am trying to add more entrees that are vegetarian, however that is a bit more difficult with family preferences. The vegetarian menus that I have had the best luck with usually are pasta dishes, potato bar, quiche or vegetable soups and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Of course I love Casseroles and One Dish Meals. The entree, vegetable, and starchy compliment all combined together. Then all you need to add is a salad.

I also many times like to plan a big Sunday Roast of some kind (Beef, Pork, Chicken, etc) that will give me lots of meat leftovers to use in other things throughout the week.

I love vintage cookbooks. I especially love depression era cookbooks. There are so many things I have learned that you can make from scratch very easily. There are recipes that get around shortages such as how to make a cake without sugar, using other sweeteners. Or make a cake without butter or shortening using oil. Great recipes for stretching meat. Also it is just interesting. Some stuff they cook would sound really weird or gross to people today.

I have a WWII cookbook that is called the American Woman's Victory Cookbook. I'll look through it and see what real interesting recipes I can post.

Sample Meal Plans:

Beef Main Dish:            Swiss Steak
Starchy Compliment: Scalloped Potatoes
Vegetable:                       Buttered Green Beans
Salad:                               Spicy Apricot Mold
Dessert:                           Chocolate Cake

Pork Main Dish:           Fruit Stuffed Pork
Starchy Compliment: Baked Sweet Potatoes
Vegetable:                       Corn On the Cobb
Salad:                               Italian Salad Bowl
Dessert:                           Raspberry Sherbet

Poultry Main Dish:      BBQ Chicken
Starchy Compliment: Potato Salad
Vegetable:                       Summer Squash
Salad:                               Peach with Cottage Cheese Salad
Dessert:                           Strawberry Shortcake

Fish or Seafood Main Dish:   Tuna Salad Bake
Starchy Compliment:               Double Cornbread Sticks
Vegetable:                                     Carrots
Salad:                                             Tomato Slices
Dessert:                                         Baked Apples

Pasta Main Dish:             Lasagne
Starchy compliment:    French Bread
Vegetable:                          Italian Green Beans
Salad:                                  Tossed Green Salad
Dessert:                              Peach Cobbler

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Children That Move Back Home. What Limits? The Kitchen, Food, TV, Computer, Hanging Around the House Battles.

     As she is a good kid and has good friends this is mostly about our recent kitchen and food battles. Also what limits for TV, computer, hanging around the house or in her room all day etc.
  
       Ok I was sad when my daughter went away to college last year. Now that she has moved back in for the summer, she is driving me crazy!! She didn't go that far away to the University. It is only 10 or 12 miles from our house, but we moved her into the dorm. She needed the independence for confidence,  and we thought it would give her more of the college experience.  She is by nature a homebody which I use to think was nice. She is a very good straight laced level headed kid.  She has now moved back home for the summer. She has a part time job close by, however, her schedule does NOT coincide with our schedule.  For instance: she stays up late in her room on her computer till the wee hours of the morning.  When she was in high school she used one of the family computers downstairs and was restricted access at certain times of the day. But we did buy her her own laptop for college. So now she stays up late and gets up at almost noon. I have served and cleaned up breakfast by that time, and it isn't lunchtime, so and I've closed the kitchen. I tell her she just needs to wait till lunch time. So she uses her money to get junk food at the 7/11 down the street. Stuff I would never buy and don't like her eating. Grrr. When she was at college she had the freedom to eat where and when she wanted. I have found I can only pull in the reigns so far. It is my kitchen. I make my 12 year old and my older son and hubby eat what I fix. I don't make separate meals for everyone although I do take food preferences into consideration when meal planning. Same thing happens when she gets home from work. I save food for her but she buys her own then wants to mess up my kitchen at 10 oclock at night after she gets back from work.  Next year she will move into a dorm with a kitchen and will have to prepare her own food. She will not be on the meal plan. She knows how to plan frugal healthy meals she just doesn't do it.  That bugs me! Maybe it shouldn't bug me. I need to let go and let her be more independent. 

Chores. She still does chores now that she has moved back in. She of course does her laundry. She keeps her room clean (not always to my standards) but ok. She only stays out late at work. I actually wish she would do more with her friends which are all good kids. She is a homebody and just wants to hang at home when she isn't working. I keep the TV off during the day. Actually we got rid of satellite and only have broadcast now. I hate regular TV and we really only use the TV now to watch dvd's. The only show I care to watch is "According to Jim".  She likes to turn the TV on during the day and watch junk. Ok I put my foot down and say the downstairs is my space so I want the TV off. Well she can just go to her room and watch you tube or itunes or netflix movies on her computer. I want her to get out and do some activities on her own! I don't want her underfoot. She has good values and is not a trouble maker or anything which is awesome, but I also don't want her sitting around the house during the summer. She commuted to the University and took one class this summer which she aced, but that session is over now. I have to look, but I know she doesn't go back till the end of August .

   When you have little kids, you as the mom control almost every aspect of their lives. It is soo different when they are young adults.  I can only pray that we have raised her well and that she will make good choices. I only have so much control anymore as to what she wears, eats, watches on TV or who she hangs out with. So even though it bugs me that she doesn't make the exact choices I would I have to let it go and know that it is OK.

    She loves God.  She is a faithful Christian. She still loves going to Church with us and doing things with us as a family. She gets along with her brothers. She has a 3.8 GPA at the University and 2 scholarships which pay for almost everything. She saves her money, and for the most part (except for the junk food) knows the value of a dollar and spends her money wisely. She is not spoiled. 
 
   Just pray I survive the summer. Letting her go back to the dorm in the fall is going to be so much easier than last year. :-)

Monday, July 7, 2008

Menu Plan Monday July 7-13 2008


Monday:
Red Beans and Rice
Tossed Salad

Tuesday:
Pizza Night (Scout Night)

Wednesday:
Vegetable Lovers Salad

Thursday:

Friday:

Saturday:
Tossed Salad

Sunday:
Corn
Baked Potatoes
Homemade French Bread



Thursday, July 3, 2008

The Beach and Boating

Boy we had a Busy Week. We had my husband's sister and her husband and youngest child visit us as they were traveling through the state on their vacation. We entertained them with a day at the beach and a day of boating and tubing on the lake. I'm tired and it is not even the Fourth of July yet.
















Ok I said a few posts back that it was very hot here and that I wanted to move to Canada. I really don't. I actually love where I live. I only say that when it gets too hot. :-) I use to live further south and grew up very, very close to the beach. We didn't live right on the beach , but within just a few miles. I can't even imagine living in the center of the US. There are people who have never seen the east or west coast, or have never been to a beach. I just can't imagine that.