Birthday Blessings to Angela

"The Lord bless you

and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine upon you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace."

Numbers 6:24 - 26

(New International Version)

This is one of my favorite scriptures.

It has been months since I have seen Angela and Carol.

We shared a delicious meal at doodles restaurant here in Lexington.

A nice way to celebrate Angela's birthday... and catch up.

Becky... thanks for driving!

www.doodlesresturant.com

Summer Vacation

Sleeping late, reading, traveling, cleaning, exercising... this summer has been sweet. This weekend and next week I will take two short trips, then I will return to work. It has been a refreshing summer.

Once I return to work, I will miss early morning walks at the park. Lord willing, I will be able to enjoy walking Jackson in the afternoon. While I will continue to exercise at home, there is something so fresh about walking in the early morning. Praying and walking...

Crazy behavior

I like talking to people. If I am waiting in the check out line, I usually make conversation with the people in line. Most recently, I was in the Kroger picking up a few things for dinner.

My conversation in the checkout line...
First, he had too many items to be in the express line. I said, " You have too many items to be in this line." He smiled, " I agree, but no one was in line when I first stepped in the line" I nodded in agreement, " Yeah, that is the way that goes sometimes" We continued to chat... how to cook fresh corn on the cob and the benefit of range free eggs. Conversation to make the wait in line go faster.

Saying hello is not difficult.

... a few minutes before that conversation, I say Edie in the store, but did not take to the time to say hello....Why is the world did I avoid her? It was just a glance, but I immediately recognized her...

Edie is one of those people who always looks cute....Plus she is just fun.. We both participated in a tutor training a couple of years ago. Occasionally we have met for coffee or exchange emails. Then, one day, I saw, Edie riding her motorcycle on Man of War....Yeah it was Edie.

Sometimes, I cannot explain my behavior.

Anyway, Hello Edie, I hope you are doing well. Want to have a cup of coffee @ Starbucks?

Maybe not crazy behavior, just... kinda rude....

Rest

Rest...
To do list....Painting bookshelves, organizing my office, preparing for a yard/garage sale, planning for birthday and retirement celebrations, wedding preparation, writing, preparing for ESL classes...

Earlier this year, I remember feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Looking back, I did not join God in divine rest.

Now, I am preparing to rest. Worship in the morning, walk the dog in the afternoon, no computer, no email, no phone calls, no radio, no laundry. no work on the to do list.

I will read God's Counterculture Invitation to Sabbath Rest Text by Joan Huyser - Honig. ...
and rest and trust in a faithful and loving God.

An afternoon with a friend

"It's so incredibly comforting to know that as stressful as life can get sometimes, there's always a good friend just a phone call away who can calm you down and tell you that everything is going to be okay, no matter what happens." Mila Kunis

Facebook

Today I decided to join Face book. Why today? Chelsie started kindergarten. I had to look over Jerry's shoulder to see pictures of Chelsie's first day of kindergarten. She is so adorable in her red shirt and khaki skirt. In another picture, she is posing with her sister Brooklyn and brother Ty. In another picture, I see her sitting at her desk. That is one reason.

Another reason, Jerry's cousin Kevin is stationed overseas with U.S. Consulate. Kevin his wife Debbie have traveled all over the world. They are stationed in Germany, but able to travel everywhere. Most recently, as an employee of the the U.S. Consulate, they were given a day off. They were able to see President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in Strasbourg, France. Kevin sent pictures and video of their travels.

Missing kindgarten pictures and world travels.....
How will I protect my privacy?

Traveling Cooking Light Club

Plans for a road trip began with a conversation at our Cooking Light Lunch in May. This week our trip became a reality. We traveled from Lexington, Kentucky to Jungle Jim’s International Market in Fairfield, Ohio. We arrived around noon on Wednesday, July 15.

Appropriately, we first took pictures, and enjoyed lunch at the Jungle Jim café. Then, for the next four hours, we walked around the 300,000 square foot extravaganza shopping for fruit, cheese, produce, bulk seeds, pastries, tea, spices and so much more. After paying for my groceries, I found a bench to rest. I was tired and overwhelmed by the sensory overload of all of the things I had experienced.

I had a minute to reflect on my favorite part of this experience, visiting the produce section of the store. I am anticipating using the spices and others items I purchased to prepare a meal for family and friends.

Whether it was at Jungle Jim, Trader Joe’s, or IKEA, we did more than shopping for groceries during this road trip. Sandwiched in between shopping, we discussed media coverage of celebrities, politics, God, church, relationships, and cultural issues. While we did not agree on issues, we had thought provoking exchanges of ideas.

Returning to the hotel after a day of traveling and shopping, we ate cherries, blueberries, nachos, spicy salsa, and some waffle things with maple syrup. The day ended before midnight, we had more shopping to do Thursday.

After lingering over breakfast coffee and conversation it was time to get on the road to Traders Joe’s. Before going in the store we were trying to take pictures of ourselves. Finally, we invited strangers to take our pictures. With shopping complete, we finished our road trip with lunch in Newport, Kentucky.

Dinner at World Famous Montgomery Inn

Dinner at a Historic Montgomery Inn… overlooking the Ohio River … delicious entrees, refreshing drinks, interesting dinner conversation, reflections from Kim, then thanks from Jerry.
A few pictures from the evening…


Thanks Kim and Mick



Tony and Jen

Bibs are optional, but don't they look cute!
Conversation before dinner.

Amanda and Julie..Thanks for making time for dinner.

Yummy dinner

Garage Sale and Blog Sale

Preparing for a yard sale is hard work and fun. Clothing, books, family games, lamps, toys, baby clothes, seasonal items, shoes, jeans, crafts, beads, furniture, watches, jewelry, pictures, stamping materials, fabric...etc. The proceeds from this yard sale will go to Word Made Flesh.

The sale will be held on a Friday and Saturday. Date to be announced.

Can you rent your house?

Can you rent your house?

This was the headline from yesterday's Lexington's Herald Leader Sunday edition. In 2010, the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will be held in Central Kentucky at the Kentucky Horse Park. According to the article, there are hundreds of Central Kentuckians who have already registered their services for the international crowd to offer their accommodations.

This is first time the games have been held outside of Europe. The Lexington Convention and Tourist Bureau notes that there are 7,300 hotel rooms in the Lexington metropolitan area. "But organizers are expecting some 500,000 visitors to the games, scheduled for September 25 to October 10, 2010" I discovered fascinating information about renting one's home: taxes, insurance, preparation, research price points, security, etc.

Last Wednesday, I had lunch with two friends in the neighborhood. After lunch, my friend graciously allowed me take pictures of her home. I was gathering tips for window treatment. I wonder, if her she is interested in renting her home for the World Equestrian Games.

In the pictures, look for a little dog. His name is Dudley.

Mille

Having a pet can be a real conversation starter. Pets can be a bridge to meet neighbors ... and spark the possibility and promise of a friendships. Dudley and Isaac are two dogs that live in the neighborhood. Over the past year, I have developed a friendship with their owners.

On Thursday, I met a new neighbor that has a new little puppy named, "Millie".

For me, developing relationships with neighbors has to be intentional. Conversations don't just happen. Since, I don't have school age children, school registrations, PTO, organized sports are not part of my world.

So try to seize the moment, when I see neighbors walking their dogs.... I stop and introduce myself. This is a picture of Millie.

Brooke's Garden

"Everything that slows us down

and forces patience, everything

that sets us back into the slow

cycle of nature, is a help.

Gardening is an instrument of grace."

May Sarton

4th of July

What makes a perfect summer holilday? Food, fun, and good conversation...Gratefully, I was able to experience some of those things today. My husband and I were able to host Tiffany, Jovonda, and Jared for dinner. Since it rained this afternoon, we weren't able to eat outside. If I am able to see fireworks tonight, then it will be a perfect day.

Twitter

Twitter... I am not yet connected to twitter . Terry, a friend from high school recently invited to join twitter. For now, I don't think I will become a twitter. I am fascinated about this technology. Do you tweet friends, family, coaches, or send a question for the President at a town hall? Well, for now, I will find out more about twitter....