And he's out of here

Our summer began when Asbury University Men' Tennis team finished playing in their national conference in Mobile, Alabama.

Scott went with us to the beach for a few days before we began to adjust to our new summer routine.

One thing I learned this summer, Scott never worries what the house looks like when friends come over. All three of us worked this summer, and we'd be in and out of the house at different times. When Scott wasn't working he usually invited a friend over, or he'd go off with them somewhere.

Before Tim and I invite friends over, we want the house to be clean and orderly. I wonder how many fun times we've missed because we were too tired to clean thoroughly.

So one thing I hope will stick with me from this summer is that my house doesn't have to be perfect before I have friends over.

I will try to relax and invite friends more often.

Flag of the week

Here's this week's flag of the week. We've been to Indiana, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, and New York City.

This flag was seen in coastal North Carolina.

Healthy Heart Hints

I'm sure you've read that the fat around our bellies is hard on our hearts. So if you've gained a few pounds over the years, it's a good idea to get it off for better heart health.

Here are a few tips.

1. Eat more vegetables

This is the best time of year for fresh fruits and vegetables. I've started going to our local farmers' market, and we're trying to grow tomatoes, peppers and cantaloupe.

2. Eat on smaller plates
Less food looks like more if you serve it on a smaller plate.

I've recently inherited some antique dishes. It's amazing how much smaller the glasses, cups and plates are.

3. Increase your protein

We need protein to help prevent bone and muscle loss.

4. Eat less sodium

My oldest son was born with a heart murmur. His pediatric cardiologist told me not to salt his food and he'd never acquire a taste for too much salt.
Many processed foods have high amounts of sodium. Too much salt may increase your blood pressure and leave a feeling of bloatedness.

5. Don't cut out all treats

If you deprive yourself of your favorite treat, you'll feel deprived and it'll be harder to stick to your healthy eating habits.

6. Don't forget to exercise.

I know it's hot outside, but try to get out and find something you enjoy. Dust off your bike or go for an invigorating walk.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer!

Just call me Gideon

This has been an eventful week around my home. God has touched us in a very special way, and I am so thankful.

My son, Scott, and two of his colleges friends, Randy and Griffin, planned a short trip to Canada. They move back to college next weekend and wanted to do something fun before summer was over.

Scott was supposed to drive and the others would help pay for gas.


Wednesday morning was not our normal morning. Tim left early for a meeting. While I washed dishes I prayed about the trip to Canada. Then I headed to the store. Scott left last to teach tennis lessons.
As I walked into work my cell phone rang, and it was Scott. He told me he'd wrecked his car in a freak accident. Freak enough that the door ended up on the hood of the car. So it would have to be towed.
After much stress and many phone calls, we got the car towed and an estimate of $2500.00. We were sick, but what can you do?

I got home from work and hugged on Scott and we discussed what happened. Scott is very conscientious, and this is not the type of thing that normally happens to him.

Shortly after this, his friend Randy shows up and says he just hit another car at work. I thought he was joking at first. He said at his summer job, nobody EVER parked in the space behind him. That was a first.

You may remember, Wednesday was support Chick Fil A day. So we went there for dinner. After we sat down, Randy and his family showed up. We talked a little, and Diane, Randy's mom, asked how I felt about the guys trip to Canada.

Ow! I felt a little unsettled, but a week ago I'd been fine.

More praying.

By now, Griffin is going to drive. Last night I talked to Scott about how tired Griffin may be driving so early on Friday morning. Scott assured me he'd stay awake, but Griffin is the kind of person who functions on 3-4 hours of sleep.

More praying. By now I'm asking God if Scott and Randy's accidents were a sign that the guys should not go on this trip. Or was it a freak accident.

I finally confessed I needed one more sign.

This morning Griffin got up at 5 o'clock and headed over to my house from the next town. He fell asleep driving and totaled his car. He was taken to the hospital for minor injuries.

Three accidents in less than 48 hours. God has gotten our attention.

I don't know what would have happened to these guys if they'd gone on their trip, but it would have been bad. We may never know this side of heaven.

What I do know is I'm praising God for his patience with us.

What an awesome God we serve.

Flag of the week

Thanks to all the men and women serving our country.

Details

It's all in the details. Have you ever thought about that expression?

I wonder if in today's busy world do we take care of the little details? How easy is it to forget the little things on the way to the big picture?

I spotted a bench in a city park in Mobile, Alabama this spring. Look at all the details included in each tile. Somebody took time to paint each little square in order to create a big picture.

This bench sits in a park where it gets rained on and birds fly over it, yet the artist took care to make it a thing of beauty.

A visitor may rest on this bench or a homeless person may make it his bed for the night.

I'm so glad the artist took care of the details when creating this. I was delighted to discover this piece of art as I walked through downtown Mobile.

I'm going to try to pay attention to the details as I go about my work.

I hope you all have a great week!

Busy summer

I keep thinking we need to slow down, but I find myself doing more.

My great aunt and uncle used to have a yearly 4th of July party. As a child I always enjoyed going to it.

So on Sunday, July 1, I told my husband I was ready to start the tradition back up. I might mention, Tim was driving me to work when I brought this up. And we were having family come from North Carolina on July 3. But he's a trooper and agreed to go along.

We met friends for dinner that night then made a run to get groceries. I've got great friends and family to let us plan this at the last moment and join us.

We had so much fun that I didn't have time to take any pictures. At the end of the night, as we watched fireworks from our back deck we decided we needed to start planning next year's 4th of July party.