Wow, it seems like forever since I last posted.

Well, Rick's birthday was on the 9th. We celebrated his birthday in SC before we came home. The 9th was a busy day for everyone. We had just gotten home from SC the day before so everyone had things to do to get caught up for our at home routines. The guys all had grass to cut and of course the suitcases needed to be unpacked. So, I just put the birthday gift on the table, the birthday banner up, and waited until Rick had a spare moment. Unfortunately his spare moment was not mine and he opened it without anyone around. Oh, well, it was still a surprise.

The 10th was the day scheduled for my Mom's pacer clinic. A phone call and check of the pacer and all was okay. She also had an eye doctor appointment the same day. She is slowly losing more of her sight.

The 11th found both Mom and I at the hairdressers to get our hair cut. Looked a little scraggly. Always nice when you first get it cut.

Rachel had all four wisdom teeth pulled on the 16th. She was loopy after getting them out and every time she took her pain pills. I think she slept away the week.

Then, on the 17th I worked in my garden. This was a definite disaster. I had worked on my garden in April before I left to go to SC for three weeks. When I came home it was too hot to get out there. Well, one thing lead to another and I just got around to working in it again. Still have some more to do and am waiting for a free day.

The 18th was Stephen's birthday. That was another grass cutting day but we were able to do dinner together and then we had gluten-free whoopie pies while Rick had a strawberry cupcake for the birthday treat. He also opened his gifts at that time.

The 19th was church cleaning day. Needed to deep clean the church as it hadn't been done since last October. Of course there was a ton of dirt in some spots from the old church building coming down in April. This cleaning was also put off because of visiting family. (I love my SC family!) My pantry, which is on the same floor we meet on for church was caked in dirt. That was a job in itself. Spent 13 hours cleaning everything. Insane! How much nicer it looks!!

Of course, there was an incentive to cleaning the church. We were having a 25th wedding anniversary celebration for my younger brother and sister-in-law. They renewed their vows, heard a gospel message, and then had food and desserts. It turned out very nice.

My new game addiction in Mahjong. I like this game because it makes me compete against myself to improve my score. Bejeweled is lots of fun, but can be frustrating when you can't get high scores. I still like playing it though

School started Monday for Isaiah and Stephen. Rachel will start her second year of teaching next Monday.

Okay, my blog is now up to date and I'm done rambling. Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Today we finished cleaning out and trimming the gardens here at Alicia's. Everything looks nice and neat.

The kids played outside all day today. Sadie, the new dog, loved the idea that the kids and adults were outside with her today. We must all have been crazy though because one of the time & temperature clocks said the temp was 99 degrees. Well, if you want to accomplish something here in the south you work through the heat.

Last night we started playing Boggle and Catch Phrase at 11:20pm. I guess we think best and have the most fun at this late hour.

So, today, Rick and I went to the Salvation Army store to look for used top sheets for the grandkids to make robes to wear to Bible school. While there, I spy a crocheted throw.

Now, I live in PA and the grandkids live in SC. Well, this throw looks very familiar. You see when my 34 yr. old daughter was 3 or 4 yrs. old I started to make her a throw. To make this story short I never finished it. Sent all unused yarn to my daughter several years ago. Thought I also gave her this unfinished throw.

Forward to 2010 and this throw is finished and for sale at this SC Salvation Army store. So, I buy it thinking it would be a good joke on my daughter. We get back to the house and I show her the sheets we bought and then I pull out the throw and ask her if she remembers it. Oh-h, the backfire on me. She does not recognize it. She says she thinks she remembers the colors but that's it. I asked her are you sure I didn't give it to you. She said she was sure.

Well, that means that the throw was given to Salvation Army in PA and somehow made its way to SC. What are the chances of that.

Isaiah went for a walk yesterday to the local park and came home with the cutest girl terrier ever. Her markings are beautiful and her color is tawny and white. What a cute dog. We have taken to calling her "Sadie". Going to try to find her owner. Everyone is hoping we have no success.

Last week was busy as usual. Lots to accomplish and so little time.

Jack needed to be rechecked for a kidney infection. Took in his urine but then went away Saturday afternoon so don't know his results yet. I do hope he is doing better.

Lots of paperwork and banking to do. Thought I would never get that done. Got the bills all up to date and had money to spare. Wow, the Lord is so good to provide for us.

Never got the guys hair cut. Hoping to get to that this week. They are looking a little hairy...maybe I should say a lot hairy!!

Granddaughter came over Friday to spend the day. She and Rachel brought my Mom down to the house because of the heat. So, Great Gram and Great Granddaughter took their nap together. It was really sweet to see. Great Granddaughter slept with her head on Great Gram's shoulder. They

were both out like a light. Even Jack slept with them. Too cute!

Saturday morning was crazy. So much to do before our travels. Also, had work on the fence done on Friday evening and Saturday morning. The question for this week is how much work can you do before you travel. My husband even added cutting the grass of at least five yards before leaving.

Very hot here in the South. But, that is the South. Imagine what it was like before air conditioning was so accessible to regular people. Imagine what it was like in the 1800's. Hot, hot, hot!!

Well, things may have been quiet last week, but this week is another story.

Monday night a storm went through our area. Boy, did it go through! Our neighbors tree blew down into our yard! What a mess that made. We are still trying to recover from the mess of the church coming down so quickly when now we have an added attraction of the crown of a tree taking over our yard and my garden.

Yep, the wind did blow and down it came. Crashing 2/3 of our fence between our properties with it. Fence posts twisted and bent and fence bent and broken. Lilac bush didn't survive, nor did my blooming butterfly bush. Roses also got smashed and broken. The garden was really coming into it's own and now will have to be worked on again.

Still waiting to put up the fence around the rest of the property where the church was. Finally to the point of having that done, and then the Storm.

Well, I guess I'll look at the bright side. With the church down I now have a bigger yard and it actually has grass in it. My, how the kids would have loved that when they were younger. A large football field to play in and not a small side yard. The grandkids will get to enjoy it now. You know, a few years from now and I guess I can watch the grandkids play against their parents instead. Now that will be a sight to see and enjoy!!

Okay, so time flies when you're having fun. Can't believe so much time has gone past since my last post.

Things are relatively quiet on the home front. My mom had surgery to remove two lymph nodes that had melanoma in them. Went to the surgeon today and he said he not only removed the two infected nodes but five other and that they were free of melanoma. He also said he sees no reason why she should have to go through radiation or any other treatment with her record. Two years free, remove a lymph node, two years free, remove two plus five lymph nodes. Of course she was glad to hear he felt she did not have to go through radiation. So was I! Sometimes the radiation causes more problems than it can take care of.

Our July 4th celebration included going to church since it fell on a Sunday. Afterwards we had hamburgers and hot dogs cooked on the grill. We also had pasta salad (gluten-free, of course), chips, peanutbutter fudge and gluten-free chocolate cake with peanutbutter icing. M-mm good! Went to Harrisburg to see the fireworks that night.

On Monday July 5th, even though it was hot Rick, Rachel, and I went to play a game of miniature golf. That evening we went to my Aunt's house and played board games. There were six of us around the diningroom table having a lot of fun and enjoying the company of each other.