Tomatoes!

We have been house sitting for a family while they are off on vacation.  Their tomato plants are producing such good, sweet, juicy vine ripened fruit for us to enjoy!  Unfortunately it seems that they are all going to get eaten before the family returns...but I guess they must have realized that they would ripen while away, for they told us to be sure and pick them.  They are just the right size to pop in the mouth for a tasty treat.

There is Beauty all Around...

 So many flowers in bloom...just gotta share!

Day at the Beach for Women Only

A day after the real beach outing, I got to attend a Beach brunch for women only.  A few hearty laughs were good for the soul...

 The decorations were awesome

The food was authentic...

 and good!

Music included sign language

Learning the art of hula dance

The 'professional youngster' teaching the art of hula hoop to the 'expert older'

What a wonderful group of ladies

Thanks for all the work put into this event.

A Day at the Beach

We recently had a family get together at the beach with my in-laws.  It turned out to be perfect weather...gentle breeze, lots of sun and waves!

Our "buffet" picnic table

We set up a tent for shade...or rest

.

 They must be newlyweds:)

The cousins

The sis-in-laws

 The boys dug holes

And got "connected" below the surface.

Then before we left, people stomped on it to make it 'cave-in'.

We stayed until it was almost dark.

The creative one in our group...
We all agreed that it was a much needed break from the 'norm' of our usual activities.

The Tongue

If anyone among you

thinks he is religious, 

and does not bridle his tongue

but deceives his own heart,

this ones religion is useless.

James 1:26

Let the words of my mouth 

and the meditation of my heart 

be acceptable 

in in your sight 

O Lord,

my strength and 

my redeemer. 

Psalms 19:14

Whoever guards his mouth 

and  tongue 

keeps his soul from troubles.

Porverbs 21:23

Help me Oh God to use my mouth to encourage, strengthen, and impart grace to those within my influence.

Dear Abby....

I remember the days when we read the column "Dear Abby" in the newspaper for the latest wisdom.  Some of it was worldly, some of it was not.  
Someone shared this one recently, and thought I would post it here.
This is some advice from someone who played the role as mediator, peacemaker, and an advocate of conflict avoidance.

1. Learn to disagree without being disagreeable.  It is all right to be assertive, but not aggressive, abusive or abrasive.
2.When someone says something with which you disagree, try not to be judgmental
3. Maintain eye contact when greeting people, and shake their hands.  Touching is important.
4.Be kind and courteous to everyone.
5.Remember that civility is a sign of strength, not of weakness.
6.Speak softly.  (People tune out loud, angry voices)
7.Saving face is important.  Give your opponent the opportunity to withdraw.
8. Your attitude is more important than your aptitude.
9.Mutual respect is the key to avoiding conflict.
10.Give the other person a chance to be heard without interrupting.
11.The shortest distance between two people is a smile.

by:  Peter S. Chantillis, Attorney Mediator

Some of these principles I think I have discovered somewhere..in my Bible...just in different words...!

Laughable Moments

The day was full of errands, shopping, and being out and about.  By evening I  arrive home, and as I get out of the car, I notice the above picture.  Mis matched socks...and nobody told me!  Surely someone noticed...!  Makes me laugh!