I was heading for Atlanta today (by car) but I delayed leaving St Pete today after watching the weather forecast for northern Florida -- I actually only waited an hour but that kept me from being in the middle of some of the worst weather there. Other than driving through some rain (which wasn't too bad -- been in a lot worse!), the trip went well. Thanks so much for your prayers and for those who "checked in" ... it's good to have reminders of prayer support along the way. Of course, I had girls checking up on me as well!

I got a wet welcome -- but it wasn't from the rain but rather from Tim and Susan's dog, Keelin, who was quite excited that I had paid him another visit!

When I arrived in Atlanta tonight, I was amused by some of the weather advisories ... at the bottom of the TV, it had ....

Tornado Warning
Snow Advisory
Wind Advisory

Tornado and snow??? Now that's interesting -- I'm sure the snow was up in the northern GA mountains but it did seem sort of contradictory. However, there was a tornado touchdown and I believe snow is falling -- and I just heard there will be snow showers possibly in the morning.

Bottle, anyone??

I'm not sure how many would remember when I was given the job of trying to give our grandson, Rudy, a bottle since his mommy and daddy were gone overnight. At 3am, it was not necessarily a pretty sight -- no, I should clarify that -- it didn't sound good. He was quite furious with me for even thinking that a bottle would substitute for his mom!! So, I diligently worked with him whenever I babysat to try to get him to accept it. He finally did although begrudgingly!

However, today I am once again in Winter Haven .. I stopped by Teri's office where Rudy was hanging out with her. She handed him a bottle, he grabbed it and promptly put it in his mouth and sucked away!! I'm sure I should be able to take credit for that, right?? All my diligenty training paid off, I'm sure ... lol!! Probably not but it was a good thought for the moment. And, yes, I reminded his mother of all the agony we went through when he was insulted that I would suggest giving him a bottle -- even if it was breast milk!!

I wasn't sure if Rudy would remember me since it had been about 6 weeks since I had seen him last. However, he came to me quickly and laid his face against mine for a few minutes. I knew he remembered!!

Could I do this?? Stop laughing!!!!

I'm always intrigued by what these cheerleaders can do -- whether on the ground or in the air! I remember when they were in a Pinellas Park parade and Kasi had to tumble down the street!! Not an easy feat and she was pretty sore when she was done!

However, she certainly stays in good shape. Somehow I can't remember ever being able to stretch my body the way she does -- no laughing!!





The gals go from this ........ first photo ... to .... second photo ... do I still recognize my granddaughter?? (Oh, by the way, she's on the left in the first photo -- and in the middle in the second one!)



Of course .... while I didn't get to see this competition, I have seen others and can recognize her as she tumbles across the mat!!



Rock Solid All-Stars
Pinellas Park, FL

You would think I would be satisfied ....

... with the lovely weather at home ... 84 degrees yesterday!! A long ways from the 15 degree weather in Indy. I was out running some errands and realized that it was downright HOT down here! That's all relative because if I were here throughout the winter, it would have been just another day! But, no ... I had to notice that I was a slight bit uncomfortable from the heat and then I gave myself a chiding ... "Can't you be satisfied one way or the other??" I guess that is what happens if we let feelings dictate how we react!! Lord, help me to be content in whatever "state" I am!! Be it Indiana or Florida!! Cold or hot? I definitely do not want to be lukewarm! There I go again, spiritualizing things -- I need to quit and get busy today!!

(It is supposed to be about 75 degrees here today although we have storms moving in. I could, on the other hand, be in Indiana where they are expecting ice today. I think I will be very content right where I am!!)

What's wrong with this picture??

Today was a little bit of a challenge as I tried to pack up to return home. After being gone since January 30th, I had to try to figure out how to get two laptop computers and a printer home along with all the typical necessities for a trip! I made it and under the weight limit -- actually, the smaller suitcase weighed about 46 pounds and the larger one, 45 pounds!

After getting the vehicle packed, I headed out to see my dad. I always get teased about what I might include in my blog so I had to share some photos I took on this Indy trip from a dinner with Rachel, Allen, their children, Thad and his friend, Donna, at Los Amigos in New Castle, IN. That's where the pictures come in ... I don't think Thad thought his burrito would be quite this big -- of course, this is after we had eaten about a zillion chips with salsa while we waited and waited ... so we didn't have much room for the main course. Shara thought she had ordered the same thing that I did -- if she did, something got mixed up in the translation or they thought that I looked old enough to qualify for the 'old folks' discount which also meant that the helping was a might bit smaller. (I need all the help I can get so this wasn't too bad -- but was a little confusing for Shara ... did she get the 'young folks' helping??) You can see that Allen and Rachel were quite amused at it all -- and Allen was wondering how quickly the photos would be added to my blog! Well, let's see ... I just got home and they are going on now ... along with Bob's devotional for yesterday! I'm hoping I can catch up on my sleep and my work load here at home before I head out again on Friday!!

Is my brain frozen???

I've been in Indiana for a week and it has been downright cold. My kids call from Florida and remind me that they are laying out in the sun or something similar and I want to hang up on them. Well, not quite. (But almost!!) I lost one of my gloves in the vehicle I am driving and it would be the one for the left hand. I had to pump gas when the wind was blowing and it was REALLY cold -- So, my right hand got really cold!! I did find the glove later -- AFTER I had pumped the gas!! Oh, well ...

I'll head back for Florida on Sunday -- yeah, hurray!!

Please pray for our friend, Amy Balty -- the link to her blog is listed under "Crosswalk by Amy" (I believe that's the title). She is going through some very difficult times physically right now and along with all that, she is a devoted mom and wife. (She is in the hospital right now.) Needless to say, her heart is at home with her family so I know she would appreciate our prayer support.

So much for today ... my brain is still cold so not working completely up to speed -- no comments, please!!!

Two of the men in my life....

Here are two of the men in my life -- Rudy and Tyler ... I need to get new photos of the other two little men -- we've heard the story of Little Women -- four sisters. Well, I have Little Men -- four cousins! Wonder if I could write a book -- maybe, but I doubt it would be as popular as the classic "Little Women"!!

Rudy is 10 months old and Tyler is 7 years old! Oh, how quickly they grow up!!

I love this photo of Tyler -- quite the little man. He was an usher in his cousin, Brittany's, wedding recently. I don't think he was necessarily too flattered by the position but did manage to deliver his Aunt Paula (mom of the bride) down the aisle with the help of his cousin, Nicholas.

Visiting DC ...

Well, sort of ... let's just say that we enjoyed "DC Mocha" in Mifflinburg, PA last weekend. We were sooooo spoiled and realized it immediately on Sunday morning when we didn't have the opportunity of choosing from what seemed like a zillion different flavors! Rachel's favorite is shown here -- hazelnut coffee, coconut, chocolate and carmel. You'll also notice the fancy design on the top .. it's amazing how they can do all that stuff. I enjoyed Italian soda (raspberry flavored), other types of teas, etc. We were indeed spoiled by Jeff and Andrea Yount for several days and can't thank them enough for their hospitality!!

Rachel and I had a great time visiting that part of the country. The last time Rachel had visited was when we lived there and I worked at the nursing home known then as "Friendly Nursing Home". It's funny how perspective on size changes and what you think was huge once upon a time now seems small!!

What I still find fascinating is how the Amish young people can ride their bikes even in weather where I hardly want to be out in inside a car much less on a bike!! Yet they seem completely at home and safe. It was near sundown one evening when I saw three ride by -- they were dressed in their typical dark clothing but they had blinking lights on the back of their bikes. I mean to take Rachel by the local grocery store where there is an area just for the Amish buggies to park and hitch their horses to the post. Even in a modern society, I felt like I was stepping back a little in time!

As you can see, we sort of fell in love with this place -- with a fire burning in the fireplace and the smell of coffee (all kinds of flavors) ... we were at home -- away from home!!

Prayer Request for Amy ...

My sister-in-law, Susan, (seen in some of the Bible Study photos below) called me around 3pm on Friday to let me know she was on the way to the hospital to be with Amy Balty who was hospitalized. David had the three boys and called Susan to see if she could go and of course, with no hesitancy, Susan was on her way. (Susan has been a nurse for many years.)

Early Saturday morning, Susan wrote .. "Amy came thru her surgery OK last evening... still in the hospital because they could not get the stone so they put in a stint. "

Amy's sister has posted on her (Amy's) blog as well and I'm sure will keep us updated. I will be back in Atlanta in a couple weeks so will check in on her again. Since David teaches at the school where Michael attends and Amy is in the Bible Study at their home, they have gotten well acquainted. (All because of the Ex-BMC Forum .. who would have guessed it would have connected us!)

Pothole on the Highway....

I'm not sure how many have seen the movie Rainman but I thought about this morning as we were driving across PA on I-80. Somewhere in the movie, Dustin Hoffman makes the comment, "Underwear on the highway ..." Don't ask me exactly what the circumstances were but I think it had to do with something being thrown out the window.

Anyway -- I-80 is full of potholes -- Rachel was initiated by the potholes when a few appeared before she could hardly react ... I was ready to yell, "Potholes on the Highway" but that would have scared her to death!! We are safe ... and Rachel is as Rainman says, "a very good driver"!!