Renewed Strength

Isaiah 40:31

But those who wait on the Lord

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles,

they shall run and not be weary,

they shall walk and not faint.

Have a happy and blessed Sunday.

Happyone : )

My Saturday

It comes as no surprise that this morning was another hot and humid one.  I didn't get up quite so early and didn't leave the house until 6:20. 
I didn't see any wildlife except for birds and squirrels.
I started my walk by going past the liquor store again and this time it paid off.  I found a quarter and a penny. I stayed walking on the sidewalks today. I walked down the street on over to Gray Rock and walked to the end of that road.  Crossed the street and then walked down the other side back home again.  I've turned around in the picture here and I'm heading back home..

This route must be a popular route for runners because I saw lots of them.  I know a lot of runners don't like to run on the sidewalk and they run in the road.  But you would think they would at least run at the edge of the road.  Almost everyone I saw running was running down the middle.  When a car came they would have to move over, some didn't move over very far either.  They are getting as bad as the bike riders.  (sorry any bike riders out there but most of the ones I come across are a menace on the roads.)

I know I have the lake and the paths for my walk and they are great and wonderful places that I am lucky to have but even the sidewalks are nice to walk along too once in a while.  The roads have nice big shady trees and I like looking at all the different houses and gardens.  Even though I walk every morning it is never boring to me.  Each walk is a mini adventure. : )
Today I walked 6.4 miles

Sunrise 6:06

Sunset 8:22

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Ken was out during the morning and after I ate breakfast, got a loaf of bread started in the bread machine, and did the usual morning chores around the house I knitted a little bit more on the white square.

We met up for lunch and then went out to Hobby Lobby to look around the store.  They have a nice selection of cards and I got a couple. I usually make most of the cards I give to people but when I installed an upgrade on my computer a few months ago the application that I use doesn't work anymore.
Of course I checked out the yarn section at Hobby Lobby and I picked up these in the sale section.

I don't have a project for the yarn yet but it felt so soft and I liked the colors.  I don't think I'll have any trouble finding just the right projects for these.

I knitted some more this afternoon and finished the white square.  I won't start another square until I sew the nine squares together and then onto the bedspread.

Tonight for our viewing pleasure we will be watching an episode of Damages and my flavor choice of ice cream will be chocolate chip mint.  Until that time I think I will read.

My pastor is doing so well that he got to come home this morning!! : )  Thanks again for your prayers and good thoughts!!
That's been my Saturday.  Hope you enjoyed yours.
Happyone : )

Only Robinson Crusoe had everything done by Friday.

~ Author Unknown

Shredding and knitting white squares

The air was thick, hot, and steamy at 5:30 this morning when I started walking.  First I walked over to the liquor store looking for coins in the parking lot, but didn't find anything.  Then I walked the connect the path route.  I spotted two deer together and than a lone one later on.  I saw two foxes!  Once in a while I see one but rarely do I see two of them together.  Maybe I'll get lucky and see the babies in the near future.  It sounded like there were more birds than usual around and I had quite a chorus of them to listen to.  A few people were out walking dogs, a couple runners, and a couple walkers.
It was nice walking along the path in the woods.  Time goes by so fast when I'm walking and I can't believe how much time I'm actually out there. 
I walked 6.5 miles.

Sunrise 6:05

Sunset 8:23

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I noticed that my basket of stuff to shred was over flowing so I got out the shredder and had a bit of fun making confetti.

I've been knitting again on the white squares for the sampler afghan I'm making which is really too big to be called an afghan so it is going to be a bedspread for my bed.  I've finished two more squares and when I get done with the one I'm knitting now I will have made 90 squares.  I have one more row to do which is 9 squares and then I will be completely done.

We went out for pizza for supper and were sitting by a window in the restaurant enjoying our pizza and watching cars and people go by.  There is a 4 lane road and we watched a man just stop his car in the right lane out of the blue and start to text right there in the driving lane.  Cars had to swerve around him and he just stayed there until he was finished texting and then moved on.  I just can't believe he stopped right in the middle of the road like that.  I'm surprised we weren't witnesses to an accident!!!

I am going to knit some more on the white square and then later watch another episode of Doc Martin.  We are on the last disc of the third series and are really enjoying it.

We stopped for some ice cream on the way home so we will be having some chocolate ice cream while watching the show.

I want to say THANK YOU for all the good thoughts and prayers for my pastor.  The procedure went well and he is doing fine.  : )

I hope you are enjoying your Friday.
Happyone : )

What is a weed?

I have heard it said that there are sixty definitions.

For me,

a weed is a plant out of place.

~ Donald Culross Peattie

Once again I was out walking early at 5:30.  The air felt cool when I first started and it took a while before I was hot and sweating.  I'm glad I left early.  Another reason I was glad I left early was that I got to see the sun rise.

 I walked around the lake and went the opposite direction that I usually do.  There was a about a dozen people running all together in a tight group.  I was glad we were going in different directions and that they all passed me because then they couldn't run me off the path!  The other group of people were with the drill sergeant and they were all running too but not in a tight group.  They are all teenage girls this time except for one woman who was way behind all the others.  She stopped to talk to me.  She said the girls are training for some event and she is just trying to get in shape again. DS yelled at her and she continued on her way.  I said Good Luck as she ran away!

I always see a lot of rabbits along the bunny trail and today I counted them.  There were 13 of them, a bakers dozen.
A few geese in the lake.  I'm pretty sure its a mom, dad, and three young ones, because they all stayed close together.  They were all headed to land but turned around when they saw me.

I enjoyed being out early and walking.
Today I went 6.2 miles.

Sunrise 6:04

Sunset 8:24

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Today I decided to go to the mall and see what I could find in the way of dresses.  I don't need one for an event or anything but I don't have very many and thought I'd get a couple to wear to church. I don't have very many and I'm getting tired of the ones I have.  As I was walking in and out of the stores and not finding anything that I liked I realized once again how much I really dislike shopping.  So I came home with nothing at all.  But that's okay, I got some more walking in. : )

Just hanging out at home this afternoon doing this and that. 

When I checked my email earlier there was prayer request from my church for our pastor.  He had a stress test this morning and was found to have a 90% blockage of the main artery and tomorrow morning at 9:30 he is scheduled for an angioplasty.  I was so surprised because he is a thin man and has always seemed to be healthy.  He just turned 60 in March.  Pastor Simpson is a wonderful man and who practices what he preaches who we all love.  I ask you who pray to please say a prayer for him.  Thank you.

A happy day to you.
Happyone : )

You've got a lot of choices.

If getting out of bed in the morning is a chore

and your not smiling on a regular basis,

try another choice.

~ Steven D. Woodhull

Walking, working and fun

I was up and out at 5:30 again this morning.  The weather was very pleasant with a temperature of 71 and low humidity which made for a very nice walk.  I walked my connect the path route with a few small modifications to it.
A hand full of people out, most of them walking dogs.
I saw a fox which looked healthy with a pretty red coat and a white tipped tail run across the path in front of me.  It scared me at first because it surprised me.  I think he was just as surprised as I was!  I saw some kind of a hawk swoop down in a back yard, heard the usual birds singing and a woodpecker high up in a tree.

I didn't see them today but the workers were out repairing the footbridges along the paths because every so often I would see an old plank replaced with a nice new one.

I took a walk past the new pool being put in to see how far they have gotten with it.  I was surprised to see how far it has come. 

It was so nice to be out walking in cooler temperatures and I walked 6.9 miles.

Sunrise 6:03

Sunset 8:25

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I am reading a book with four novels in it by Wanda Brunstetter about the Amish.  I'm about half way finished with the first one.  It's pretty good.  The four books are:

• Going Home
• On Her Own
• Dear to Me
• Allison's Journey

I'm home during the day today doing more chores around the house.  There is no end to what needs to get done, but I enjoy keeping my house nice and clean.  If I do some work each day, it leaves plenty of time for the fun stuff too. 
So now I think it's time for me to go and do some of that fun stuff.  : )

Hope your day has a good mixture of work and fun in it.  I think we need both to be happy!
A smile from me to you.
Happyone : )

We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result 

of getting something we don't have,

but rather of recognizing and appreciating

what we do have.

~ Frederick Keoning

Early walk

The rain yesterday did give us some relief.  The rain gauge out on the deck showed we got almost two inches.  I was up and out at 5:30 again this morning.  It was still hot but not as bad as it has been.  It was 71 degrees but there was a breeze which felt good.  Though still humid out this morning it got better as the day went on.

I walked around the lake and there were the usual amount of people.  The stream along the path that I walk on that leads to the lake was pretty high and muddy from all the rain.
There is a big open area just before I get to the lake which I guess you could call a meadow.  There were a quite a few deer in the middle of it.  Later on I saw some more deer, a mom and her two babies.  I wonder if they are the same ones I've been seeing along the other path.  I don't know how far an area they travel in.  I saw the heron which was nice to see because I haven't seen it for a while.  I saw Barb going the other way and as we passed she said the beaver was out up ahead but he was gone by the time I got there.

There is a lot of Queen Anne's Lace growing in the rocks down by the water.

I like getting out and walking so early in the morning and I think I'll continue to do that  even when it isn't so hot out, at least for a little while.  Ken has been going in to work early too and likes it. We have been going to bed an hour earlier at 10:30 - 10:45 so we are still getting the same amount of sleep.

I walked 6.3 miles.

Sunrise 6:02

Sunset 8:25

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Before I went to my Tuesday knitting group I had clothes hanging out to dry on the line and a loaf of bread baking in the bread machine.
We met outside to knit and it was actually quite pleasant.  We sat in the shade around tables that had umbrellas and there was a nice breeze every once in a while.  I wasn't hot at all.  There were 14 of us there.  I made weave-it squares and finished six more and started on the seventh.  Someone else showed up with a weave-it loom and now there are five of us with them. 

Hit a bit of traffic on the way home because of a concert at Merriweather Post.  People and cars all over the place.  If I had known I would have went home a different way.  Wasn't too bad though.

When I got home and walked in the door it smelled heavenly with bread baking.  It was just finished baking so I got to have a warm freshly baked bread for my lunch.  I had two pieces with a little butter and had raspberry jam on one and strawberry jam on the other one.  Yummy!!

I'm off now get the clothes off the line and then read for a while until it's time to start dinner.

Hope your having one fine day.
A smile from me to you.
Happyone : )

A good time to laugh is any time you can.

~ Linda Ellerbee

Here comes the rain

It was another one of those hot humid mornings again.  I set the alarm an hour earlier and was out walking at 5:30 and I am going to do that all week. I saw some of my other walker/runner friends out around the lake this morning who have also decided to get their exercise done earlier to beat the heat.   Then there are the people who are always out there early.

The sky as I got to the lake.

The drill sergeant was out there early with her crew.  Man it is way too hot to be doing such a vigorous workout like that.  I felt sorry for all of them!!  I also feel bad for all the dogs that people take to run with them. Imagine running with a coat on!! 

A few geese stand at end of a line of rocks here while others swim over to join them.

I see quite a few ground hogs but this is one of the few times one stayed still long enough so I could snap a picture.

It was a good walk and I'm glad I went early.  

I walked 6.5 miles.

Sunrise 6:01

Sunset 8:26

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I spent the day at home working around the house.  I was in a cleaning mood and got lots of stuff done.
A couple loads of laundry dried on the line.  The gaps in the line are clothes that have already dried and I've taken in.  I take the clothes in as soon as they dry since we aren't supposed to have clothes lines and don't want to give anyone a reason to complain.

I got all the clothes off the line just in time before the cooling rains came.

It's raining out there now as I type this.  There were quite a few loud claps of thunder and I saw some amazing lightening bolts in the sky.  Some not so far away.  It's calmed down some now but still raining hard.  I'm hoping it really will cool things down a bit.
Well, just taking a break now and still have some things I'd like to get done so I'd better go.

Hope your Monday is a good one.
A smile from me to you.
Happyone : )

Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness

has never danced in the rain.

~ Author Unknown

I was back to walking this morning and it was a very hot humid walk along my connect the path route.  I saw the twin baby deer again, but didn't see their mom.  Along the paths I heard many cicadas, so many that they drowned out the bird songs.
A few people were out along the paths and I saw a few more along the sidewalk.  I was walking along the sidewalk and, a runner approached me coming the other way drinking gatorade as a bike rider passed me.  Bike rider guy says to runner, "You should be drinking water, not gatorade."  Runner comes back with, "I don't need to be preached at, A**H***!)  I just kept walking and didn't say anything to either one of them!

I cut my walk a little short this morning and walked 5.5 miles.  I don't mind walking in the heat a few days but now it's been a long time and I must admit today I didn't enjoy my walk as much as usual. It was a day that I looked forward to getting home again and having a drink.  Usually my walks give me more energy but today I felt drained.  I sure hope this heat wave breaks soon!

Sunrise 6:00

Sunset 8:27

************************************

Happy Sunday : )

I've been reading Philippians this week 

which is one of my favorite books of the Bible.

Here's a few verses from Chapter 4

 4-7 

Always be full of joy in the Lord;

I say it again, rejoice!

Let everyone see that you are unselfish

and considerate in all you do.

Remember that the Lord is coming soon.

Don't worry about anything;

instead, pray about everything;

tell God your needs and don't forget 

to thank Him for his answers.

If you do this you will experience God's peace,

which is far more wonderful than the human mind

can understand.

His peace will keep your thoughts

and your hearts quiet and at rest

as you trust in Christ Jesus.

May you all experience that wonderful peace and joy that only God can give you.

A very blessed Sunday to you all.

Happyone : )

I didn't walk today

We went to bed late last night and I didn't get up until 7:00.  It didn't seem to be as hot as yesterday but I just didn't feel like walking.  That doesn't happen often and I figured I'd just listen to myself and take a break today.

We had a brief thunderstorm with heavy rains but afterwards it just made it hotter.

We went out to do a few errands and stopped at Subway and I had a turkey sub for lunch.

I'm back home now and Ken is off to spend a few hours at work.
I need to get some dusting done and then I'll read.

I wish you all a happy day!
Happyone : )

Those who can laugh without cause

have either found the true meaning of happiness

or have gone stark raving mad.

~ Norm Papernick

Weave-it afghan

I didn't think it could get hotter than yesterday morning but this morning it did!!  We set the alarm an hour earlier and I was out the door walking at 5:30.  That early and it was already 82 degrees and it felt like walking into an oven when I stepped out the door. 
I walked around the lake.  I saw less than a dozen people out that early because they don't open the gates to the lake until later so the only people walking that early are the people who walk to the lake.  I'm not sure what time they open the gates for the cars, but by the time I got around to where the main parking lot was there were lots of cars and people.
I saw the usual rabbits and birds.  The geese were all just waking up and very noisy.  Maybe they like to talk first thing in the morning and are just saying good morning to each other. : )  It was a pretty quiet morning and I'm glad I got to get out early before it really got hot!! I walked 6.2 miles.

Sunrise 5:59

Sunset 8:29

***************************************

When I got back from walking I stayed outside watering the plants out front and cooled off a bit before I came inside the house.  Coming into the cold gives me the shivers when I'm that hot.

I've been working on weave-it squares for the current afghan I'm working on which I've mentioned a few times before.  I make 4 squares and then sew the 4 squares together and make a bigger square.  I need to make 72 of these bigger squares.  I now have 24 of them finished.  Each pile pictured is 8 squares which is one row so I have 3 rows done with 6 more rows to go.

The squares are in no particular order.  Once I get all 72 big squares done I'll arrange them all in some kind of pattern and then sew them together.  
This afghan I plan to raffle off at a fundraiser for charity at the Relay For Life for the American Cancer Society in May of next year.  Ken is building a web page which will be ready in October and will explain how you can win the afghan by donating to the American Cancer Society.  I am excited about this and hope I will be able to raise some money. : )

I'm at home again today just doing stuff around the house.  It is nice and cool inside so that's where I've been.  The AC is pretty much running non stop.  It shuts off for a minute and then its right back on again.  I keep it set at 78.

Hope wherever you are you're staying nice and cool.  I really feel bad for all the people who have to be outside working like the people down the street who are paving our new turn lanes.

Till next time........
A smile from me to you.

Happyone : )

Most of us would get long well
if we used the advice we give others.
~ I don't know who said it but how true it is!

Paper Towels

It was a super duper hot morning for walking today!!  The hottest so far.  It was trash day and I went out the garage way to put the trash can out.  By the time I put the trash can at the end of the driveway I was already hot.  We do not have a big drive way either, just long enough to park a car there.
The plan was to go on a short walk but once I got to walking I thought I'm already hot and sweaty what's a few miles so I just walked one of my connect the path routes.
I saw a handful of others out too along the paths.
A few rabbits scurried about and I heard the birds singing.

The picture below is where one of the paths comes out.  It's behind a school.  I walked along a path which goes to the right and around the field to a parking lot and pick up the path again straight ahead in the picture.  You can see what a hazy morning it is.

When I saw my house in view I kept thinking how nice and cool it would be and how good a nice big glass of water would taste so I didn't pass it up and walk around the block but went directly inside.  I have the thermostat set at 78 and it felt like I walked into a refrigerator.  Ah cool at last! : )
I walked 6 miles.

Sunrise 5:58

Sunset 8:29

***************************************

When I clean the house I like to use paper towels.  They are great for mirrors, sinks, counter tops and kitchen appliances.  I have used Bounty for years and years.  Last week when I went to the commissary I decided to try an off brand that was only have the price.  I've been using them this week and they are just not the same.  I have used many many more paper towels than normal.  They are smaller and definitely not as soft or strong as Bounty.  I am glad I just bought one roll of the cheap brand to try.  It is back to Bounty for me!!  I think in the long run it is actually cheaper because I use less towels.  Hey, maybe they will want me to do a commercial for Bounty. : )

I was going to go to the library but decided not to go after all.  Though I have read books to return nothing is due and I still have some at home here to read.  Besides the FJ was parked in front of the garage where my car was and I was too lazy to move it out of the way.  They are also working down on the corner with the turn lanes and I didn't feel like driving through that mess.
So I stayed home in my nice cool house and didn't do much of anything.  Well, I did stuff just not work!  I have lots of fun stuff to do at home. : )

Hope your day was a good one and you too got to do some fun stuff.
A smile from me to you.
Happyone : )

Promise little and do much.

~ Hebrew Proverb

Pink Laces

Another hot one out there this morning.  I walked around the lake with LOTS of other people.  I counted them today just for fun and there were 72!!! other people there.  So you see, I'm not so special or unusual walking on these hot mornings.  That is way too many people there for me so I'm going to stay away from the lake until it cools down a bit and there are less people out early.  I left the house a little earlier than usual at 6:05.  I woke up a little early and figured I'd just get an early start.

A hazy morning picture.

There was a dying groundhog along the path just as I got to the lake.  Someone mentioned it to one of the park workers and they took care of it.  It was kind of creepy and sad to see it twitching there on the side. 

I saw lots of rabbits up on the bunny trail who were enjoying having a bite to eat.  The squirrels were running up and down the trees chasing each other by the playground and I saw lots of geese.  

A hot morning but still it was nice to be out and walking.

I walked 6.3 miles.

Sunrise 5:57

Sunset 8:30

My "boy" shoes are really working out good for me.  I bought some pink shoe laces last night to girl them up a bit.  What do you think?  I put them in last night and just put the shoes on to take the picture.  That is why I don't have any socks on and I'm wearing pants.  Just so you don't think that I walked without socks on and in long pants on this hot morning.

******************************************

I got some good work done in my kitchen today.  I cleaned out the refrigerator, not just of old food but cleaned the inside of it as well.  It's all nice and shiny inside and out.  It is stainless steel and I polished it with stainless clean cleaner and now it looks brand new again.  I also polished up the outside of the microwave, oven and dishwasher (which I don't use) too.  

Other than that I've just been hanging out doing fun stuff.

Now I'm off to iron some shirts and I'll probably finish the audio book I'm listening to doing that.

Hope all is well in your part of the world and that you found bits of happiness scattered throughout your day.

A smile from me to you.

Happyone : )

Not the maker of plans and promises,

but rather the one 

who offers faithful service in small matters.

This is the person 

who is most likely to achieve 

what is good and lasting.

~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Walking, lasagna, and knitting

A hot sticky morning for walking today and it didn't take me three miles this morning to get hot!!  I walked my connect the path route and stayed away from the lake because I figured it would be really crowded with everyone getting their exercise in early today.
It wasn't too bad walking along the paths under the trees.  I encountered a few other people walking and running along the paths too.
I didn't see much in the way of wildlife.  All the animals must have been hunkering down somewhere trying to stay cool.  There weren't even very many birds singing.
It was a pretty quiet uneventful walk but I was glad to be out there walking.  I remember in the winter when the sidewalks were icy and I couldn't walk.  Ice may keep me from walking but not a little hot weather!! : )
I walked 6.2 miles.

Sunrise 5:56

Sunset 8:31

****************************************

I did make the lasagna last night and when it had 10 minutes left to go in the oven Ken called me and said he probably wouldn't make it home for dinner because he was stopped on the side of the road helping a co-worker.  Her car was broken down and she was on the side of the road waiting for the tow truck and he was going to drive her home.  So I figured I would just eat supper and Ken could heat some up when he got home.  I had taken the lasagna out of the oven and was letting it sit for those all important 15 minutes before cutting into it.  I was upstairs and heard the garage door open and heard Ken come in and say we have company.  The tow truck was taking longer than expected so they were going to wait here.  It was really perfect timing so she just stayed and had supper with us.  There  was plenty of food so it wasn't a problem.  We had a salad and homemade bread with it.  By the time we had finished eating, the tow truck driver called to say that her car had been towed to the dealer already.  We then drove Debbie home which was over an hour away.  She has quite a commute every day!! 
The last time I made lasagna Ken called and had to work late.  This making of lasagna might not be such a good idea! : )

********************************************

I went to my knitting group this morning. We met inside at Savage Mill because of the weather - hot and a chance of thunder storms.  There were 16 of us that showed up which included a few new faces.  I  knitted just a couple of rows on a white square and then switched over to making a few weave-its.  When I first brought my weave-its to the knitting group I was the only one making them and now there are four of us!

Not doing much around the house today, just the basics.  I didn't get a chance to read yesterday so I'm going to go and do that now.

Hope you're enjoying your day.
A smile from me to you.
Happyone : )

No matter how happily a woman may be married,

it always pleases her to discover

that there is a nice man who wishes that she were not.

~H.I. Mencken

Saturday and Sunday were delightful walking days with sunshine and low humidity.  Saturday was a connect the path route and yesterday I just walked wherever my feet took me.  This morning it was a bit warmer as the humidity creeps back up there, but still not bad. There was lots of sunshine with a few clouds and every so often a nice breeze would wash over me.  I didn't get soaked until I had walked 3 miles!!  I walked around the lake.  I took this picture walking away from the lake which is the opposite way from my header picture.

Lots of people out and about around the lake early this morning.  Walkers, runners, bike riders and fishermen.  Some were fishing at the waters edge and others in boats on the lake. 

A couple of deer and lots of rabbits, squirrels and all the usual birds and geese were out around the lake too. 

I saw some other neighbors who live a few houses down from me.  I've never seen them walking around the lake before and have only seen them near the house to say hi to.  As I caught up to them I said hi neighbors and we finally introduced ourselves to each other.  It's funny how many of my neighbors I have met at the lake.

As you know I find coins sometimes and save them all in glass banks.  This penny that I found on Saturday has seen better days. : )

As usual it was so nice being out walking early in the morning and I walked 6.4 miles.

Sunrise 5:55

Sunset 8:32

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The BBQ we went to on Saturday was very nice.  It was at the house of one of Ken's co-workers and she had a great back yard for a party.  Not real big but really nice.  She lives in an older house and it had a back porch.  From the porch you walked down to a stone patio and then a grassy yard with lots of shade from their neighbors trees which over hung a high wooden fence.  We had nice time!  Lots of food, nice people to talk to and I even made a couple new friends.  The weather was perfect.  A sunny day, blue sky with huge puffy white clouds. 

It won't be long now before our turn lane is finished by our house.  I took this picture yesterday.  The final layer of pavement needs to be added yet, lines and also the sidewalk.  

As I walked passed today they were up on the dirt hill grading it for whatever they are going to plant there. 

They are also putting in a left turn lane coming from the other direction too.  

Recycling has finally come to my townhouse complex.  Last week the blue bins got dropped off at all our houses and today and every Monday is recycling day at my house. : )

Today I will be spending the day at home.  I have a few loads of laundry hanging outside  on the line drying and a loaf of bread baking in the bread machine.  I have some housework to get done and some catching up on visiting my blogging friends.  I'll be taking frequent breaks from work to read blogs. : )

I'm hoping for some reading time and knitting later in the day too.  I still haven't made that lasagna I planned on last week so I'll be making that tonight for dinner.  If Ken is going to be late again, I'm still going to make it and he can heat it up.  It tastes great reheated too, if not better.

Enjoy your Monday.

A smile from me to you.

Happyone : )

 The rarest thing in the world is a woman 

who is pleased with photographs of herself.

~ Elizabeth Metcalf

Walking, books and cookies

Another morning like yesterday and again I took my walk around the lake.  So many people out there and it seemed like all the people I've ever met walking were there today.  I was walking on the path and just getting to the lake and came up on a woman and we said good morning.  She started talking to me so we walked a little way together.  She just moved to the area and just discovered the lake the other day and was saying how great a place we had here for walking.  I had to agree! : ) When we got to a fork on the path, I went to the right and she went to the left.
There are usually a handful of cars in the parking lot.  Today I stopped counting when I got to 50!!  Lots of activity around the lake.  Walkers, runners, biker riders, people pushing strollers and one dog stroller!!!  Yes, a dog was getting a ride around the lake!  There were a few boats on the lake.  If you look closely you can see two of them in the picture.

On the way home while walking along the path away from the lake I saw a deer with her two babies.  This picture isn't a good one but it is the best of the ones I took.

I came across the three of them four different times.  As I walked along the path every so often they would come out of the woods, see me and run in the woods again, and later came out again.  I think mom must of thought I was following them because the forth time she was not happy with me.  The little ones ran in the woods, but she walked a little closer to me, snorted and then turned around and ran in the woods after her two little ones.  I think that snort was a warning.   I was near the end of the path by this time so didn't run into them again.
I saw two other deer along this same path.

I walked 6.3 miles

Sunrise 5:53

Sunset 8:33

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We didn't go out to eat last night but I'm glad I didn't make the lasagna either.  Ken called and said it would be a late day at work for him.  I ended up not eating a meal but just ate more cherries and some left over soup.  I can't decide which I like best strawberries or cherries.

It was a nice evening for sitting out on the deck and I was sitting out there when Ken got home from work.

This morning I dropped the cake I made yesterday off at church and then continued on to the library.  I had to drop a book off that was due today and also pick up one that was on reserve.  While there I happened to look at the new book section and got a few other books as well so I came home with six more books.  One of the books has four stories in it.  Three of the books are children books which sounded good to read too.  Beside, it will be a few quick reads to add to my reading goal for the year.  I don't think that is cheating do you!?  Here is the pile of books that I came home with.

When I get back from the library with books I like to sit and look at them and decide which order I am going to read them.  I don't always stick to the order but I just like to look at them all.  I picked up the top book Pukka and didn't put it down until I finished reading it.  There are wonderful pictures on every page and not a lot of writing so it was easy to read the whole thing.  It is about a man who gets a new puppy and their adventures for his first six months told from the puppy's point of view.  A delightful book that I really did enjoy. 
Makes me want to get a puppy.  I love yellow labs, my own dear Sammy Jo was a yellow lab. 

Tomorrow we have been invited to a late afternoon/night outside party and this afternoon I baked chocolate chip cookies to bring.  As usual I ate enough cookie dough to equal a couple of cookies.  That's why I don't eat a baked one, I've already eaten my cookie calories. : )

I'm thinking tonight might be a going out to eat night since it didn't happen yesterday.  Hopefully Ken won't have another late work night.

Friday has come around again already.  Hope your week was a good one and today is a great start for a great weekend.
A happy day to you all.
Happyone : )

I have six locks on my door all in a row.

When I go out, I lock every other one.

I figure no matter how long somebody 

stands there picking the locks,

they are always locking three.

~ Elayne Boosler

A bowl of cherries

Ah, what a pleasant walk this morning.  We had a thunderstorm come through yesterday and this morning it left a bright blue sky and cool temperatures and low humidity.  Just 62 degrees.  I had a very enjoyable walk around the lake.  This picture is of one of the paths I walked along.  Funny how pictures never show what hills look like.  This is much steeper than it looks.

A lot of people out around the lake enjoying their morning outing.  Not many animals about.  I just saw the usual birds, ducks and geese.  Three geese were swimming their way across the water with the V wake behind them getting wider and wider.  They looked so peaceful out there.
A quiet uneventful walk but oh so nice.
I walked 6.4 miles.

Sunrise 5:52

Sunset 8:34

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Since I didn't make it to the commissary yesterday, I made the trip today.  Made out my list and off I went.  Renovations are still going on in the store.  It seems like it must be going on for a year by now, but I don't think it could really be that long!!  Anyway you never know what you will find and where you will find the items you need to get.  Like I said before it makes things interesting and you end up talking to more people than usual.  Someone always asks me something. : ) 
I had to wait a while to check out because there was a bit of a line.  It is one line and you go to the next checker that is free.  Many stores do that now and I think it makes lines move much faster.   Handicapped people can go to the head of the line.  There was a handicapped man behind me and I asked if he was trying to get to head of the line.  He told me no, that he would rather wait his turn in line like everyone else.  Then with a smile he said, why should I go to the front of the line, I'm sitting, you all have to stand!  A nice man and I liked his attitude! : )  We talked as we waited in line and it made the waiting go that much faster.

I bought some cherries and thought they looked pretty sitting here in the  bowl.  I ate quite a few of them for lunch.  : )

I didn't have time to do a load of laundry before I left so did a load when I got back.  With summer here I am able to hang a load out in the afternoon and it will still dry.  Winter time the clothes need a lot more time to dry.

All this week my church is having Vacation Bible School and they needed people to bake cakes for the end of the week party.  Since I didn't help out with VB all week  I figured the least I could do was bake a cake.  I baked a chocolate cake this afternoon with chocolate icing.  Though I wasn't able to have a piece of it, I did lick the beaters and scrape the bowl clean.  One good thing about having no kids living at home.  I get to lick the beaters!!

That's about it for now.
Still have the clothes to get off the line and folded and the plan was to make lasagne for dinner, but I feel like going out and having someone wait on me.  The lasagne can wait for tomorrow.

Hope all is well in your part of the world and that you are enjoying your day.
Happyone : )

 I have loved skipping since I was a little girl 

and I have never been able to restrain myself

when an open stretch of sidewalk or path beckons me.

~Marelu Marson

Another warm morning but not nearly as warm as yesterday.  There was a slight breeze on the way home too which was most welcome.
I walked my connect the path route this morning.  It is the route with the most shade.  The only open area in the direct sun is when I walk back by the schools.
I saw a couple of deer, rabbits, and the usual birds.
There were few people along the paths so it was a nice quiet peaceful walk.
The other day when I was walking along the sidewalk I saw what I thought was a foundation for a garage started to be dug.  Today when I passed I saw that I was wrong.  It is not a garage at all but a swimming pool.  I hope it gets done in time for them to use it this year.  I'll keep track and see how long it takes.

 I walked 6.5 miles.

Sunrise 5:52

Sunset 8:34

**********************************************

The work around my townhouse complex yesterday was installing more street lights along the main street on the side of my house.  Four were installed yesterday and this morning they were all back farther down the street putting in more of them.  Now we have lights in the back, front and side our house.  We will really be lit up now.  We no longer need to have night lights in the house.  : ) 

I didn't get all of the shirts ironed yesterday but I did do six of them.  Today I finished up the last five.  I had to smile at the comments about saying it was too hot to iron.  I am in a nice cool air conditioned house so it didn't matter how hot it was outside. : )

I thought about going out to the commissary today but just never got around to going.  Just stayed home and got some things done around the house.  I've left time for some fun too so off go.

A happy day to each of you.
Happyone : )
I love this quote today.  I think it is partly what keeps us feeling happy and young even as we age.

I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things....

I play with leaves.

I skip down the street 

and run against the wind.

I never water my garden without soaking myself.

~ Leo F. Buscaglia

A happy server and an unhappy worker

I stepped out of a cool house this morning at 6:25 and into the oven.  I usually don't start to get hot on these warm mornings until after I've walked a mile or so, but today by the time I got down the end of my street to put a card in the mailbox I was already sweating!  I walked around the lake on this hot morning.  This is the start of the path that takes me to the lake. 

We had a thunderstorm with lots a wind last night and one of the paddle boats broke lose and drifted to the end of the lake by the rocks.  

There were a lot of people out around the lake, a lot more than usual.  Again I think everyone wants to get their exercise in before the heat gets worse.
I saw a couple of chipmunks chasing each other around and the geese and ducks looked happy to be in the water.
When I come to the end of the the walk around the lake, there is a big open area and the sun was shinning brightly.  Up ahead the path that leads away from the lake has lots of trees and is covered in shade.  Coming out of the sun and into that shade felt so good.  It must have been 10 degrees cooler.
A lot of days as I come home, I pass up my house and take those few extra steps around the block, but today when I saw my front door, I thought of cool air and a drink and never made it around the block.
I walked 6 miles.

Sunrise 5:51

Sunset 8:35

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My knitting group today was moved inside to Savage Mill because of the hot weather.  A small group today of only 7 of us but we enjoyed our time together.  One of the woman Franny, found a weave-it loom at a yard sale for I think she said 25 cents.  Today RetiredKnitter showed her to to make a weave-it so now there are three of us weave-it people.  : )
Today I started knitting another white square for the sampler blanket I'm making.

From Knitting I picked up my friend Mary Jo and we went to Olive Garden for the all you can eat soup, salad and bread sticks.  I didn't feel like having the soup so just had salad and bread sticks.  Our server Maire was terrific.  She was nice and friendly and didn't keep bothering us but was always right there when we needed a refill of something.  Since I wasn't having any soup she told me she would package some up for me so I could take it home.  She gave me not only one kind of soup but two and also threw in some extra bread sticks.  We also got 6 of the little mints that come with the bill.  We gave Maire an extra big tip!! : )  She was one of the best servers I've had.
It was so nice to spend some time with Mary Jo.  There is just so much talking you can do before church starts!!

The turn lane they are making near my house is just about done now.  Today when I came home they were putting the road bed down. 
There were a bunch of workers digging holes and pulling cable through the holes along the side of my townhouse which is on the main road.  Not sure what it is for but there were lots of trucks all over the place around my townhouse complex.  There was a big truck parked right in front of my garage.  I had to get out of the car and ask them to please move the truck so I could get in the garage.  The guy was not happy that he had to move his truck.  Though he could have driven it farther down the road to let me in, he moved down just enough to let me squeak passed.  When I went to say thank you, he didn't even acknowledge I said anything.   Oh well, it was hot and I guess he didn't feel like working. 

My plan is to get some ironing done this afternoon so I'd better get to it.  I have the seven new shirts Ken bought and four others besides.  I wonder how many of the eleven I'll actually get done!!

A happy day to you all.
Happyone : )
When is the last time you skipped?  I did this morning!

Skipping is just jumping for joy, step after step.

~Jessi Lane Adams

My new vacuum

My walk this morning took me around the lake.  Haven't walked that route for some days and it was nice to get back to the lake.
In the spring when the lily pads first started coming out they were all brown and I thought there would be a problem with them this year.  Well, I certainly didn't need to worry.  Look at all of them here at this end of the lake.  Now there is almost too many of them!

Even though we have had some rain with the thunderstorms it is just hit and miss and we need a good soaking rain.  The trees in the picture are turning brown.  Dead leaves are falling here on one of the foot bridges I walked over on my way to the lake.

A very warm still morning with lots of sunshine.  A slight breeze kicked up on the way home to cool me off some.
There were a lot of people out around the lake, especially for a Monday.  My friend Lin called and we talked and walked together though 14 miles apart. She always calls when she gets back in the area.  Lots of traveling for her with work.
One part of the path I walked there were geese and ducks to the right up on a grassy hill.  On the right near the water were four rabbits and up ahead right on the path I saw a cardinal catch a cicada and fly off with it, happy to have caught a good breakfast.
As always it was so good to start my day off with a nice walk.
I walked 6.2 miles.

Sunrise 5:50

Sunset 8:35

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Ken usually washes the FJ but it was parked out front looking pretty dirty so I drove it around back and gave it a wash.  It will be a nice surprise for Ken when he gets home to see it all nice and clean. : )
Then since it was already out in the driveway in the way of my car I just went out in the FJ.  It is also a fun car to drive sitting up so nice and high.  It felt strange not to have to shift and I tried to push in a non existing clutch a few times.

I had an Oreck vacuum that I really liked and had it for years.  When that broke a couple of years ago I got a new one and I've been telling myself I like it good enough, but I really don't like it and thought it was time to get a new one.  I've heard nothing but praise from people I know who have a Dyson so this morning I went out and bought one.  There are a few models to chose from and I ended up getting the DC23 canister one.

 I like the canister type better because it is lighter and easier to handle.  I like that I can get in smaller places and under furniture and it just suits me better.  It also goes from carpet to flooring with a push of a button.
So of course when I got home, took it out of the box and put it together, I had to vacuumed the whole house.  I really liked it and it was the most fun I've had vacuuming in years. : ) 

Just hanging around the house this afternoon.  Too hot to sit out on the deck so I'll just stay inside.

Hope your having a Monday that makes you smile.
Happyone : )

I'm not going to vacuum 'til Sears

makes one you can ride on.

~ Roseanne Barr

Proverbs

Proverbs 13:7

Some rich people are poor,

and some poor people are rich.

Proverbs 15:15

When a man is gloomy,

everything seems to go wrong;

when he is cheerful,

everything seems to go right.

Proverbs 15:17

It is better to eat soup with someone you love,

than steak with someone you hate.

 Proverbs 16:20

God blesses those who obey Him;

happy the man who puts his trust in the Lord.

Proverbs 16:24

Kind words are like honey - enjoyable and healthful.

Proverbs 17:23

A cheerful heart does good like medicine,

but a broken spirit makes one sick.

A few proverbs for you to read on this Sunday morning.
Have a blessed day.
Happyone  : )

Spiny Backed Orb Weaver

The spider web picture I took earlier today 

on the previous post is a 

Spiny Backed Orb Weaver.

Ken found this on YouTube.

The video is kind of long 

so just skip to the end and you will be able to see 

that it is the same.

To read about the spider click HERE.

Almost time for ice cream.
Happyone : )

Happy walking again : )

After not walking for two mornings in a row! it was so good to be out there walking again today.  I walked my connect the path route with a couple of detours along the way.  It was warm and sunny and though a little humid there was a bit of a breeze so when I started sweating and felt the breeze it was cooling. 
There were people scattered along the paths and street, not a lot but enough to say good morning to without having to say it too often.
Walking down this path there were about eight deer standing there and by the time I got my camera out this was what was left of them running away.

 Isn't this a most unusual spider web?  I've never one like it before.  There were three of them and they were about eight across.   They looked like over sized CDs hanging in mid air.

A couple of foot bridges I walked over.  

This one I walk over often.

This is a new one I discovered walking down another road.  It is on another short path that leads to the back of the school.  It comes out at the edge of a field. 

It was nice to be out in the woods, hearing the birds singing, looking at all that is around me and just enjoying walking there once again.  I really missed walking the past two days.
Today's walk was just a tad farther than usual - seven miles.

Sunrise 5:49

Sunset 8:36

************************************************

It feels like a Monday to me today because Ken has been off the last two days.  Especially now because he is out and about this morning, and I've just hung a load of clothes out on the line.  That is all the work I'm going to be doing though.

I'd like to do some reading and knitting, maybe make a few more weave-its.  I also have some blog reading catching up to do.

At some point in the day I'll meet up with Ken and who knows what we will end up doing.

Enjoy your Saturday!

A smile from me to you.

Happyone : )

Look not at the days gone by with a forlorn heart.

They were simply the dots we can now connect with our present,

to help us draw the outline of a beautiful tomorrow.

~ Dodinsky

Remembering

No walk for me yesterday because we left the house early for our road trip.  We decided to drive up to northern New Jersey where Ken and I both grew up and take a look around.  We hadn't been there in I forget how many years, but it has been a long time.  We didn't want to go up the turnpike and the parkway so we headed up through Pennsylvania.
We have passed the York barbell man so many times over the years driving through York, Pa and I finally took a picture of him.

There was a lot of stop and go traffic with a lot of road work being done along the way, but we were in no hurry and didn't mind all that much.  Lots of crazy drivers out there  who seemed to be out driving in a world of their own and just drifting along the roads.
One of the main reasons for us to drive up to NJ was to have a chili dog at an old hangout of ours from years ago.  They just don't make chili dogs anywhere else as good as here.

Ken had his first job here as a kid.  He was the French fry guy.  A meal that is not very healthy but once in a while you just have to indulge.

We spent the day driving around going to all the old places we remember and taking pictures. 
This is the house in Hawthorne, NJ,  I lived in as a little girl from when I was 4 to until half way through the third grade.

Passed by my old school which I walked up the hill to every morning and ran down every afternoon. 

This is the back of the school and that HUGE rock that we used to play on has sure shrunk A LOT!! : )  My old school appears to be getting some work done on it.

In the third grade I moved to Waldwick, NJ which is about 5 miles north and I lived there until I got married and moved away.  The house looks NOTHING like it did when I lived there.

Here is the lake next to my house that I used to play around.  That too looks smaller than I remember and looks none too clean either.

This dam at one end is one I walked across many times even though my mom warned me not too.   That too doesn't look too clean.  Notice the cans floating there.

 We drove around and looked at Ken's memories too.   He needs his own blog for them. : )
 When it was supper time we went to a favorite pizza place of mine that I thought had the best pizza in the world.  Kinchley's, and it has been around since 1937.  Their pizza has very thin crust.

Here's our pizza.  It was good but not as good as I remember it.  It is a lot like a Ledo's pizza only not square.

I took lots of pictures and it was hard to limit it to these. : )  We were planning on spending the night someone up there but after seeing all the places, we decided to just go on back home.  As nice as it was to see all the old places again it was also a bit depressing.  Seeing so much change and a lot of it all just seemed old and run down now.  I'm happy for my memories and I guess it is true that you can never go back home.  Things are always different. 

On the way home we passed through a couple of thunder storms with the rain coming down in torrents.  I don't think I'd ever been in a car with it raining so hard.  Luckily the storms passed quickly and since it was late not many cars were on the road.
We got home 1:45 and I don't think you will guess what we did.  Had a bowl of ice cream!!
So ended our day.  

I slept in till 7:30 this morning and never did make it out the door for my morning walk.  I'll just have to make up the miles in the days to come.
Don't know what the rest of the day will bring but I plan on enjoying it.

May you have a good day too.
Happyone : )

 I'm always fascinated by the way memory diffuses fact.

~ Diane Sawyer