Test Your Vision - What Do You See?

Are they moving? Spinning?



Or are they perfectly still?




How about these. Are they moving? Turning?



Or are they perfectly still?





Now, look at these. Are they moving? One teacher said, "I felt like they were all moving...but slowly. Kind of like they were breathing."



Or are they perfectly still?





The pictures above are used to test the level of stress a person can handle. If you click on each picture, you can see movement more clearly.

The slower the pictures move, the better your ability to handle stress.

Allegedly, criminals that were tested see them spinning around madly; however, senior citizens and kids see them standing still.

None of these images are animated--they are perfectly still.

If you do happen to see the images spinning around madly, please lie down and rest!


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Here comes Blogger Love!



Missy from Things in Life presented me with The Super Comments award July 23rd. The rules are to post the award, tell who presented it with a link back to that person, and then pass the award on to six other bloggers, linking them to the post. Since comments are so special to me, this is an award I cherish. Missy's blog is a good one to visit.


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July 11, Barbara at The Purple Goat Lady shared the PREMIOS DARDO which means "Top Dart. The award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his or her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary and personal values everyday." Barbara is a proud Texan, but then isn't everyone who lives in Texas? I lived there for one year, and I was proud. I hope you'll visit Barbara too.

The rules are: 1. accept it 2. link back to the one who awarded it to you 3. award it to fifteen others.



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I appreciate these two ladies and feel honored to accept these awards. I have been known to bend a rule or two, so I'm tweaking one of the rules--the last one. I would like if everyone of you who leave a comment to please accept the commenter award, and every one of you who bother to visit me to please accept the Premios Dardo award. That may mean that you should take both awards with my ❤ Blogger Love! ❤ You may copy and follow all of the rules (or not!). Just let me know in your comment if you're taking one or both.

Booking Through Thursday - Recent Funny

If you would like to join in, click here.

Today's question: What’s the funniest book you’ve read recently?

My Response:
Although I love to laugh, I haven't read many funny books. Whenever I come to a place in a book that causes me to laugh out loud, I'm delightfully surprised. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen often. So I had to think to answer this prompt.

According to Their Deeds by Paul Robertson is one book that had me chuckling several times. Although it's a mystery, there's a play on words going on throughout the novel. The protagonist and his wife dialogue like the Thin Man. This is a book about the operations of a bookstore, and I think that anyone who loves books will enjoy it. My review is here.

How about you? Have you read any funny books lately?

Have You Ever Wondered About Speed Bumps?

Susan at A Southern Daydreamer is the gracious hostess for Outdoor Wednesday. Participants post pictures of anything that they might find outdoors. Come join in.








Have you ever wondered how speed bumps get their stripes? What happens when the stripes wear out?


I happened upon these men the other day and found the answers.



The guy on the left is holding a machine that blows out heat, while the guy on the right splashes a powder adhesive on some new white stripes.

Here's a better view.


And now, the finished product!


What's your opinion of speed bumps?

Christimas in July

My friend, Diane at A Picture is Worth A Thousand... hosts 2nd Time Around. She's a creative and crafty lady. She finds what some may think is not worth much, and paints it or tweaks it a bit and creates a thing of beauty, function, and/or value for her home. If you'd like to join in the fun, click on the link.

Diane is a Thrift Shop Queen; she comes up with the best finds. I've never been one who shops at thrift stores, but Blogland has educated me. I stopped in one place and then another. Sometimes I find something; sometimes, there is nothing that interests me, but it's always an adventure. I'm beginning to understand what Diane has been talking about!

The item I'm sharing today was purchased from a thrift store in July when all Christmas items were 50% off! This set of four cute coasters in their holder was 75¢. They look unused. All are more red than the picture shows.








I'm looking forward to using them in December! With all of my things packed up and sitting in the warehouse, this may turn out to be the center of my Christmas decor!

Blue Monday - Japanese Tea Cups and Saucers

It's Blue Monday! To participate:

1. Post about something blue on your blog. It can be pretty, ugly, funny, old, or new as long as it's blue. Leave a link to this blog on your post.

2. Place the Blue Monday button on the top of your post so that people can easily spot it. Place another Blue Monday button on the sidebar of your blog.

3. Mr. Linky will be up after midnight. Return here and link in with Mr. Linky by leaving your name and the Permalink to your post. To create a Permalink, click on your Blue Monday post title and copy all the stuff in the http window. It is a longer address so that people can find your post even later in the week--whenever they get a chance to visit.

4. Leave me a comment. I promise that I will visit you and leave you a commet. Visit other Blue participants by clicking on their links. Make someone's day; leave a comment.

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These are four cups and five saucers that came to me from my mother. Obviously, something broke, but that was many years ago. My mom got them (along with several other things) from her Uncle Charlie--my grandfather's brother. I especially like the shape of the handles.

Here's a glimpse at the inside of one of the cups. I love the beautiful artwork.

Uncle Charlie first married Aunt Margaret and Aunt Margaret bought these tea cups. Unfortunately, Aunt Margaret died. When Uncle Charlie married his second wife, Aunt Betty, she wanted the house to be filled with things that better suited her taste. So, the china was given to my mom who later, passed them down to me. They're quite delicate. I use them for display in my china cabinet. I love the Blue color. There's a good bit of gold too, but that doesn't show up so well.

Here's a shot of the markings on the bottom of the tea cup.



Blue Monday Participants

1. Sally 2. ellen b 3. Elizabeth 4. Lana G! 5. Anne Fannie 6. Lavoice 7. Robyn 8. CailinMarie 9. Marjorie...Molly 10. bj 11. Annemieke @ The Netherlands 12. fitty 13. Ivory Spring 14. Gee 15. Gemma 16. Jeanne 17. NicoleB Hungary

18. Maria Berg, Sweden 19. Valerie@Snap-Pea 20. Hip chick 21. Itajeff 22. Mary@oOne Perfect Bite 23. Janie at Southern Lagniappe 24. Mojo,NC,USA 25. Barbara@Purple Goat Lady 26. cindy 27. Kathy 28. charli and me 29. DeniseMarie 30. Debra Kaye 31. Ms. Sharlotte's...Southern Reflections 32. Knitty 33. Annies Home 34. Becky K.

35. KayC 36. Candy 37. Claudie @ Bubblin' Over 38. Miranda 39. storyteller at Small Reflections 40. Fifi Flowers 41. Lynns Lovelies 42. Iris 43. charmine 44. TwirlandTaste 45. barbara jean 46. Kim: To Desire, Live -To Travel 47. Puna @ LifeSignatures 48. AnnA 49. Rita @ Cashjocky and the Old Salt

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Don't Look to Adam

Romans ¹² When Adam sinned, sin entered the world.... ¹⁵But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. (New Living Translation)

Spiritual Sundays are hosted by gracious Ginger and charming Charlotte. To visit other participants, click here.


See you tomorrow for Blue Monday!

Little Things Mean A Lot

Precious Beverly at How Sweet the Sound hosts Pink Saturday. Please Pause at her Place to see Plenty of other Pretty Pink items that Precious Pink Participating People are Presently Presenting for your Perusing Pleasure.

As Kitty Kallen sang in 1954, "Little Things Mean A Lot." If you're interested, I'm including a copy of her singing this lovely song. I've included the lyrics so that you can sing along.

Blow me a kiss from across the room
Say I look nice when I'm not
Touch my hair as you pass my chair
Little things mean a lot

Give me your arm as we cross the street
Call me at six on the dot
A line a day when you're far away
Little things mean a lot

Don't have to buy me diamonds or pearls
Champagne, sables, and such
I never cared much for diamonds and pearls
'cause honestly, honey, they just cost money

Give me a hand when I've lost the way
Give me your shoulder to cry on
Whether the day is bright or gray
Give me your heart to rely on

Send me the warmth of a secret smile
To show me you haven't forgot
For now and forever, that's always and ever
Honey, little things mean a lot

This past week, while shopping at Publix, a grocery store, I picked up a bunch of pretty flowers. They cost $3.00.




What a bargain!

See you in two days for Blue Monday!

When Treeless, Grow Your Own!

Susan at A Southern Daydreamer is the gracious hostess for Outdoor Wednesday. Life has become complex for her these days, but she still takes the time to provide Mr. Linky for those of us who are interested. Participants post pictures of anything that they might find outdoors. Come join in.

You may remember when I shared about my new rental and the pretty plant I placed by the door. I asked Blogland to identify it for me, and Mrs. Magpie told me that it is an Anthurium. Well, it looked a bit lonely to me.

Since I love palms, I decided that there was a perfect spot on the porch for an Areca palm.

The little porch looks so much better with the plant and the palm sitting in their matching red pots. They DO match, but the film doesn't show that.


See how happy they look? Think of the money we'll save by buying small and growing it ourselves.

Why, by the time my house is done, the palm may be six or seven feet tall! LOL

A Craftsman at Work

My friend, Diane at A Picture is Worth A Thousand... hosts 2nd Time Around. She's a creative and crafty lady. She finds what some may think is not worth much, and paints it or tweaks it a bit and creates a thing of beauty, function, and/or value for her home. If you'd like to join in the fun, click on the link.

I posted about how the movers damaged my china cabinet and promised to show you how the repair turned out. The first two pictures show the terrible gouge that the movers made.

A close-up allows you to get the full impact.

We called this repairman. After visiting once to access the situation, take pictures and measurements, he returned with this wooden plug that he had fashioned. 


He tried the fit, and then went to his truck to sand it down a bit more.


Here he is shown marking lines on the piece.

Next, he used a product called Wood Quick which begins as a putty-type substance and after working it until it begins to harden, he blends it in with the wood piece and attaches it to the china cabinet. Once again, he sands it.


He trims the piece.



 Next, he stained with four different stains and then a coat of varnish. Here's the finished job.


And, a closer look. 

We found him by calling a furniture company that deals with Drexel, the manufacturer of the china cabinet.  We are quite pleased to have this repair so nicely done.

Blue Monday - Japanese Blue Vases

These are two vases that came to me from my mother. She got them from her Uncle Charlie--my grandfather's brother. You see, Uncle Charlie first married Aunt Margaret and Aunt Margaret bought these vases. Unfortunately, Aunt Margaret died. When Uncle Charlie married his second wife, Aunt Betty, she wanted the house to be filled with things that better suited her taste. So, the vases were given to my mom who later, passed them down to me. I use them for display in my china cabinet. They're about six inches tall and make a nice spot of color. The vases are a cobalt blue. The floral print shows a bright touch of orange along with lilac, pale blue, and white flowers. All are embellished with a generous amount of gold, but the camera won't show the gold.


I'm sharing them because I took these pictures when I packed them up and wrapped them nicely in bubble wrap. I hope they make the move. They're stored in the warehouse, waiting for moving day.

The top two photos are the correct color. This is NOT the correct color, but you can see the bottom markings better.


I have Mr. Linky loaded, but I don't see him. This makes me BLUE!

If you leave your link in with the comment, I'll try to straighten it out tomorrow. Have a great Blue Monday.

UPDATE: As you can see, Mr. Linky is up and going strong. Meanwhile, I'm playing catch up. If you don't see your link, please be forgiving and link in again. Thank you.

Blue Monday Participants

1. m 2. Sheila 3. Dawn 4. Lana G 5. Knitty 6. Candy 7. Christi at A SOUTHERN LIFE 8. TheOldPostRoad 9. Pam 10. Mary 11. Carrie - Oak Rise Cottage 12. Carrie - Carola Nativity Gallery 13. denisemarie 14. Ivory Spring 15. Mary 16. BJ 17. ellen b 18. Annemieke @ The Netherlands 19. Jobandbrittany 20. Gee 21. Puna @ LifeSignatures 22. Sharing with Sherri 23. Aussie Nikki 24. Elizabeth 25. Robyn

26. m-tales from an oc cottage 27. Robin from CA 28. Charlotte 29. Jensmere 30. Maria Berg 31. Barnyard Country Gifts 32. Cindy 33. Itajeff 34. Geri 35. Barbara Jean 36. AnnA 37. LadyJane 38. Sandi 39. Joan 40. Barbara 41. Golf Gal 42. Becky K 43. Mojo 44. Joan 45. Beverly 46. JLS 47. Greyscale Territory 48. Oma Nijn @ The Netherlands 49. Mary 50. Knitty

51. Coloradolady 52. Mary@Boogieboard Cottage 53. Iris 54. Shirl 55. Florida Sue 56. Hip Chick 57. The Explorer Philippines 58. Carol 59. cindy 60. Dixie 61. Linnea 62. Boo-Bah 63. Christine 64. Lynn's Lovelies 65. Baba 66. Clif 67. Terry 68. Annies Home 69. Cindy @ My Romantic Home 70. Kim - To Desire-Travel-Live 71. Beth at Aunties 72. charmine 73. Sandi

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The Hardest Thing for Me to Do

Matt is doing better than I am.


Spiritual Sundays are hosted by gracious Ginger and charming Charlotte. To visit other participants, click here.


See you tomorrow for Blue Monday!

Pink Saturday - Ara's Birthday

Beverly at How Sweet the Sound hosts Pink Saturday. Pause at her Place to see Plenty of other Pretty Pink items that Precious Pink Participating People are Presenting for your Pleasure.

My granddaughter turned fifteen last Saturday. I blogged about it on Monday, but saved some Pink to share with you today. Shirley, the dachshund who lives at my daughter's house decided to dress for the party. See her pretty Pink dress?

There's a nice Pink present waiting to be opened.


Every girl gets organized with  Pink boxes.


Shirley is testing the Pink container to see if it's "dog-worthy."

My son-in-law, birthday girl, and our darling daughter, in a Pink shirt.



See you in two days for Blue Monday!

I'm Drowning!

Have you noticed that we are drowning in advertisements? We see them everywhere. We're used to billboards.

There's "product placement" in the movies we attend and on the shows we watch on television.




Our phone book covers even have extra advertisements stuck onto the covers!




They're found in other places too.On bus benches.



On buses.



Last week, we went to a mall, and I was stunned to see advertisements spread across the doors to the mall!

One of the doors is being held open by my granddaughter so you can see the difference.

Glug, glug, glug; I'm drowning. What do you think about this? Are you drowning too?

Outdoor Wednesday - How We Recycle

Susan at A Southern Daydreamer is the gracious hostess for Outdoor Wednesday. Life has become complex for her these days, but she still takes the time to provide Mr. Linky for those of us who are interested. Participants post pictures of anything that they might find outdoors. Come join in.

Last week I showed you the unique method of trash disposal called valet trash that we have in the condominium complex. Many of you said that you had way too much trash to fit in the benches even though they are emptied three times a week. There is an answer. We are encouraged to recycle paper.

Today, I'm sharing our recycling facility. It's a separate building. It looks like a small house with a pretty porch. It's the building on the left.

There's room to pull up your car if you don't wish to walk to it.


Climb a few steps.

The sign on the wall tells the tale.

Signs on the metal door reveal earlier problems.

It's an easy thing to open the metal door and drop in paper trash.



Here's a different angle.


Now you can understand how there is plenty of room in the cute bench for the other trash.

Update on New Home

So many have asked how our new home is coming. Today, I'm showing you pictures so that you'll be up to date. This is a picture of our dirt or rather, our mud. It's been raining.

Here's a picture of our small pond. It not large, but it's water. 


Here's another view. Hey! What's that? Do you see something growing?

Why, it's our weed. Yep, we've already grown our own weed. Isn't it lovely?


They tell me that we'll be in before December. Hmm.

Blue Monday - Birthday Girl

It's Blue Monday! To participate:

1. Post about something blue on your blog. It can be pretty, ugly, funny, old, or new as long as it's blue. Leave a link to this blog on your post.

2. Place the Blue Monday button on the top of your post so that people can easily spot it. Place another Blue Monday button on the sidebar of your blog.

3. Mr. Linky will be up after midnight. Return here and link in with Mr. Linky by leaving your name and the Permalink to your post. To create a Permalink, click on your Blue Monday post title and copy all the stuff in the http window. It is a longer address so that people can find your post even later in the week--whenever they get a chance to visit.

4. Please leave me a comment. I promise that I will visit you and leave you a commet. Visit other Blue participants by clicking on their links. Make someone's day; leave a comment.

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Our move has placed us within a two-hour driving distance of our daughter's house. One of her daughters, Ara, turned fifteen this past Saturday, and Johnny and I drove over to take her shopping for her birthday present. We went to Best Buy, the blue store, as Ara wanted a MP-3. Here she is in a pretty blue shirt making her selection. Isn't she gorgeous?

Her problem: which color to choose? Red or blue? She took at least twenty minutes to decide.

The purchase is rung up by the pretty sales clerk with the blue shirt.

Ara gets her birthday present in a blue bag. She wanted to smile, but I asked her not to "pose." I should have let her smile! Lesson learned: let kids pose.

Surprise! She choose the red one! I understand that she's been listening to music nonstop. I'm sure it sounds as good as the blue MP-3 would have.

Blue Monday Participants

1. printersdevil~Felecia 2. Barb~Bella Vista 3. Claudie @ Bubblin' Over 4. Anne Fannie 5. Jensmere 6. Carrie @ Being Domestic 7. Charlotte 8. Christine 9. Fifi Flowers 10. Aussie Nikki NC USA 11. Mar, Spain 12. Geri @ Heart N Soul Cooking 13. Mary @Boogieboard Cottage 14. Mary@One Perfect Bite 15. Marjorie...Molly 16. Joan@anythinggoeshere 17. Gemma 18. Cherie 19. The Explorer, Philippines 20. Ninnu, Finland 21. Oma Nijn @ The Netherlands 22. NatureFootstep Photo SWE 23. bj 24. Sandi

25. Gie 26. hip chick 27. Becky K. 28. Pam 29. Barbara@Purple Goat Lady 30. Itajeff @Something To Share 31. Cindy @ Applestone 32. Mojo, NC, USA 33. Elizabeth 34. Joysweb 35. Shelia @Notesongs 36. Candy 37. Dixie 38. Shirls Rose Cottage 39. LadyJane 40. Tink *~*~* 41. DailyLiving. Regina, Philippines 42. Laura@the mansion 43. ellen b 44. Laura@White Spray Paint 45. Miranda 46. Rose Brook Cottage 47. Gee 48. Bry

49. Ginger~Wilmington, NC 50. VickiS ~ FL 51. Helen 52. amanda 53. angie @ Annies Home 54. TwirlandTaste 55. Linnea 56. Ivory Spring 57. The Bliss Journey 58. Carrie : Rantings of a Woman 59. carmat : world around me 60. Lynn's Lovelies 61. Dawn@cottagestateofmind 62. Barbara Jean 63. srp 64. Terry 65. boliyou 66. NicoleB Hungary 67. Jeanne 68. Iris 69. Puna @ LifeSignatures 70. Kay 71. Maria's Space

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Would Prince Charles Need One?

Perhaps it would help some people to hear.


Spiritual Sundays are hosted by gracious Ginger and charming Charlotte. To visit other participants, click here.


See you tomorrow for Blue Monday!

Pink Saturday - Wanna Play?

Beverly at How Sweet the Sound hosts Pink Saturday. Pause at her Place to see Plenty of other Pretty Pink items that Precious Pink Participating People are Presenting for your Pleasure.


This is silly, but it's Pink!

See you in two days for Blue Monday!

Tulips, Award, & Tag

The Tulip Award

On July 7th, Ita at Something to Share shared this beautiful Tulip Award with her blogging buddies. It comes with a tag. Questions must be answered. I really love tulips, and I don't yet have this award, so here goes!


1. YOUR NICKNAME - Sally. My "real" name is Sara. Sally is the standard nickname for Sara. No one has ever called me Sara. The nickname my father gave me was "Sassy." Johnny calls me "Babe."

2. YOU ARE - a cheerful person who enjoys life and family.

3. YOUR MOST SPECIAL PERSON - Johnny, my husband.

4. YOUR FAVORITE SONG - It Is Well with My Soul especially the third verse:

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

5. YOUR FAVORITE FOOD/DISH - anything sweet ... particularly ice cream.

6. THINGS THAT MAKE YOU STRESS - anything I cannot physically accomplish. As I get older, I am less able to do what I used to do with ease.

7. YOUR FAVOURITE COLOR - blue, but you knew that. I think purple is a close second; actually, purple has blue in it.



8. THINGS THAT YOU MUST HAVE IN YOUR BAG - driver's license, lipstick, tissues, pen, paper, money, credit card.

9. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED - when I read the anniversary card Johnny gave me.

10. TAG SIX OF YOUR FRIENDS - I break rules, so I hereby tag everyone who reads this IF you choose to stop to smell the tulips!

Unread and Waiting

If you would like to join in, click here.

Today's question: An idea I got from The Toddled Dredge (via K for Kat). 

“Today I present to you an Unread Books Challenge. Give me the list or take a picture of all the books you have stacked on your bedside table, hidden under the bed or standing in your shelf – the books you have not read, but keep meaning to. The books that begin to weigh on your mind. The books that make you cover your ears in conversation and say, ‘No! Don’t give me another book to read! I can’t finish the ones I have!’ “

My Response:
Books are heavy! When we moved, I decided to be strong and give away boxes and boxes of books. Therefore, today's question is an easy one for me to answer. These few books on the top shelf of my office bookcase are waiting to be read.


This stack sitting just inside the front door are ready and waiting to be read. Notice the darling bookends that BJ sent me are holding them in place.


Here's the one I'm currently reading. 


I've dramatically slowed down in my reading. Hey, something had to give! 

How many books do you have calling out to you? 

Outdoor Wednesday - Cute Benches

Susan at A Southern Daydreamer is the gracious hostess for Outdoor Wednesday. Participants post pictures of anything that they might find outdoors. Come join in.

Several bloggers have expressed a curiosity about what my new apartment looks like, so I thought I'd use Outdoor Wednesday to show you.

I showed you our back entrance last Wednesday. Today, I'm showing you the front door to our apartment. It's in a rather dark hallway. This picture was taken during the morning, and notice that the lights are on.

Notice the sunshine peeking through the end of the hallway. See the cute brown benches beside each apartment door? 



Let's take a closer look. They're made of durable plastic.




Look, they open, and are lined with black plastic.

This is where we place our trash. It's picked up three times a week. They call this "valet trash." We are billed for it separately on a monthly basis.  


I've never heard of this before. What do you think?

PS A couple of people commented about the smell. There is NO bad odor in my apartment hallway. It's clean and both ends are open, allowing the air to flow freely.

Diane asks if we separate trash. No, these benches hold one bag of trash, and that is all that will be picked up. Unbagged trash is not collected. There is a huge recycle unit on the complex where we can take paper to be recycled.

Why Do They Do That?

You may remember that Johnny and I had a favorite Mexican restaurant in South Florida. I wrote about it here. Well, we found a good one in our new area. It doesn't have crab enchilades as Ole Ole has, but the food is good. It's called Vallarta's.


We ordered our standard: enchiladas, rice, and beans. I don't eat the beans; I scrap the melted cheese onto a chip! 


I dump salsa on top of my rice too. Okay, okay, I'm weird, but it's good.


Now, my question is: why do they do that? Look up. See the television?


Why do all restaurants feel the need to put televisons--with the sound OFF? I do not understand. On this day, the news was on. What good is the news with no sound? 

I thought maybe someone could answer. Why Do They Do That?

Blue Monday - Baseball with Grandkids

It's Blue Monday! To participate:

1. Post about something blue on your blog. It can be pretty, ugly, funny, old, or new as long as it's blue. Leave a link to this blog on your post.

2. Place the Blue Monday button on the top of your post so that people can easily spot it. Place another Blue Monday button on the sidebar of your blog.

3. Mr. Linky will be up after midnight. Return here and link in with Mr. Linky by leaving your name and the Permalink to your post. To create a Permalink, click on your Blue Monday post title and copy all the stuff in the http window. It is a longer address so that people can find your post even later in the week--whenever they get a chance to visit.

4. Leave me a comment. I promise that I will visit you and leave you a commet. Visit other Blue participants by clicking on their links. Make someone's day; leave a comment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Johnny invited Pierce, our ten-year-old grandson to see a baseball game between the Florida Marlins (Johnny's team) and the Tampa Bay Rays (Pierce's team). Pierce's mom, our daughter, dropped him off that Friday before lunch. We spent the day together shopping for a gorgeous Tampa Bay Rays shirt that Pierce is seen wearing, and then they went to the ballpark.




He didn't have a Rays hat, but he did have a Marlins hat, which he wore at first. Pierce spent the night, and we drove him back home the following morning. What a treat to live close enough for a time like this!


Johnny invited our son and any of his who were interested to go along. Brittany, Jenna, and a visiting friend jumped at the chance. Our son's father-in-law was also visiting, and he came along. That made a total of seven. A van was borrowed, and all rode together to the stadium.


Here's a picture of Brittany (in Pierce's hat) with her father.


Both teams have blue in their uniforms.









The best blue was the blue cotton candy that Brittany shared with Jenna.





These granddaughters also have blue eyes. Pierce's team, the Rays won the game. A good time was had by all.

Blue Monday Participants

1. Kathy b 2. Charlotte 3. Itajeff @Something To Share 4. Tina @ Enchanted Rose Studio 5. m- tales from an oc cottage 6. Carrie - Oak Rise Cottage 7. Robyn 8. Tammy518 9. Mary@One Perfect Bite 10. D 11. Shari @ My Cottage of Bliss 12. RobinfromCA 13. Fifi Flowers 14. Barbara Jean 15. gee 16. Gemma, Australia 17. lavoice 18. Ninnu, Finland 19. NicoleB Hungary 20. Oma Nijn's Country Huis 21. Linnea

22. Barbara@Purple Goat Lady 23. Becky K. 24. Janie at Southern Lagniappe 25. Melissa 26. Sandi 27. Candy 28. bj 29. Tink *~*~* 30. Puna 31. Shirls Rose Cottage 32. Marsha 33. Shirley Corwin 34. Jeanne 35. Susan 36. Christi @ A Southern Life 37. Maria Berg, Sweden 38. Dawn 39. KayC 40. Carrie @ Being Domestic 41. Susan M Hickam 42. Ivory Spring

43. ellen b 44. Cindy @ Applestone 45. Geri@hearnsoulcooking 46. charli and me 47. The Explorer, Philippines 48. The Stylish House 49. Beverly 50. NatureFootstep Photo Sweden 51. Annies Home - 52. Annie 53. Terry 54. icandy 55. Yira 56. Brittany 57. Rita aka Cashjocky Mo USA 58. Chandy 59. Maria's Space 60. Amanda Calif,USA 61. Bry at Trying to Reason

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Difficult Job

Aren't we grateful that Adam kept it simple?


Spiritual Sundays are hosted by gracious Ginger and charming Charlotte. To visit other participants, click here.


See you tomorrow for Blue Monday!

Pink Saturday - Happy 4th!

Beverly at How Sweet the Sound hosts Pink Saturday. Pause at her Place to see Plenty of other Pretty Pink items that Precious Pink Participating People are Presenting for your Pleasure.

As we in America celebrate our freedom, I wish for all of my blogger buddies, a Happy Pink 4th of July!







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On July 1st, Ita Jeff from Malaysia honored me with The Humane Award. Her blog is Something to Share. She is a happy wife and mother of three who loves her cats and roses. She participates in Pink Saturday. Pay her a visit and tell her I sent you.

There are rules attached that I choose to ignore. I simply cannot choose some to receive and others not to receive an award. Call me Wimpy, but I cannot. If you visit me and leave me kind comments, please accept this award from me to you.

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See you in two days for Blue Monday!

4th of July Jokes

Why were the early American settlers like ants?
Because they lived in colonies.









What famous pig signed the Declaration of Independence?
John Hamcock!






What did George Washington say to his army at Valley Forge?
"Sorry, men. The flights to Florida are all booked up!"

What would you get if you crossed the American national bird with Snoopy?
A bald beagle!







What would you get if you crossed a colonial hairpiece with a teepee?
A powdered wigwam!

What's red, white, blue, and green?
A patriotic pickle!








What did the visitor say as he left the Statue of Liberty?
"Keep in torch!"

What's big, cracked, and carries your luggage?
The Liberty Bellhop!

Check out my book giveaway!

The Problem with Pillows

Pillows have become a problem for me, and I'd like your input. How do you place them on your bed?

Perhaps, I should first ask IF you make your bed.  Each day? For company only? After all, Oprah taught America all about those yucky bed mites that thrive in our neatly made beds, feasting on our warm sheets. "Air your beds," became the cry of housewives all across the land. Even though I am not a fan of her show, I took that advice to heart! That allowed me months and months of never having to make my bed. No mites for me and mine! Hey, there's a reason why I'm smiling!

Now as I think of redecorating, I am wondering what you do. Are you one of those who love pillows? What do you do with them? Do you hide the pillow you sleep on under other pillows with neatly ironed pillow cases like this? Or do the wrinkles show? Do you turn the open ends of the pillowcase to the middle of the bed or to the outside?

Do you use this many pillows? Where do they go when it's time for you to sleep? Is that the main function of the chest?

How long does it take to make a bed look like this? Would you ever be tired enough to lie down during the day? Would you then need to remake it? How long does it take to iron all of this?

Does your bed have so many pillows that there is no room for regular sized people?

Is there anyone out there in Blogland who actually uses the little roll pillow?

How about placement? Should a properly made bed have one flopped pillow?


Should the pillows (or shams) in the back touch or be separated like these?


Why are the comforters turned down? Do you sleep under it? Ever get hot?

Where do your pillows spend the night? On a chair? Do they fall off? Do they get tossed on the floor?



If pillows are not your problem, but you wonder why you are so extra hungry each and every night as you prepare to go to sleep, perhaps it's because your bed looks like this one:


And, while I'm at it, why do motels all put that silly strip of fabric across the end of the bed? (I always shove it in the closet!)

Outdoor Wednesday - Our New Temporary Home

Susan at A Southern Daydreamer is the gracious hostess for Outdoor Wednesday. Participants post pictures of anything that they might find outdoors. Come join in.

Several bloggers have expressed a curiosity about what my new apartment looks like, so I thought I'd use Outdoor Wednesday to show you. 

This is the entrance to the complex. These buildings were originally built three years ago and sold as condominiums. However, when our bad economic times hit, some units were rented. We are renting until our new home is built. We've been told that we'll be in by Christmas. Our son is renting a house one block away--right down this road. I wish that we could always stay this close, but eventually, we'll be seven miles apart.

It had just stopped raining before I took these photos, so everything looks clean and shiny.


This is the back door to our unit, and the one I prefer to use. The front door is in a dark hallway. I like to see the sunshine and green grass when I walk out my door.

The apartment comes with blinds in all the windows and a full-sized washer and dryer. It's a two-bedroom, 2 ½ bath. I have no idea why a half bath is necessary! The door to the right houses the air conditioner.

The place has new carpeting and fresh paint. It was all nice and clean which made moving in much easier. There's a dishwasher and a microwave in the kitchen.

We put a pretty little plant here, and I must say, it makes me feel more at home.

I can't remember what the name of this plant is, but we've had one before. It's an easy one for us to keep alive and happy. We simply water once a week with a weak fertilizer (as Tootsie suggests). I hope I've answered your questions about my new apartment.