Planning the route

Officially Ralph and I are now on vacation!! Whooohoooo.  We're doing the last minute things like cutting the grass, planning the route, exchanging money.  I hope we don't forget anything.  As I've gotten older I've found it's better to make a list and add to it and mark off what's been packed and what hasn't.  It's usually a safe bet that I'll forget something, but at least I'll remember most of the things.

We pick up our rental car on Saturday and we'll pack it all up in the evening before we leave. That way when we wake up early we won't need to worry about anything except the stuff that comes out of the fridge.

I still want to drop by at the church and pick up a couple of sermons and then I think we're all set.  Tomorrow we plan to visit with Mom and Dad and then on Saturday the family is having a bbq for Ralph's dad in celebration of his 83rd birthday.  The days are full and I'm sure that the time will fly by, but I hope it doesn't go too fast because then the summer will be over.

Ladies league

It was a rainy, drizzly kind of day.  From the moment I woke up till the time I got the first email from Arja it was raining.  So what do you think?  Should we give it a try?  The weather certainly wasn't promising and the forecast didn't look great either.  We agreed that we would check with the course and also Grace who lives nearby before making our decision.  The course said that they were planning for the ladies league to be open and that it was raining, but not hard.  Grace said that the skies were grey but the rain had stopped.  So, off we went.  The the three of us golfed and I'm so glad that we did. The weather was beautiful - it actually go quite hot.  The golf was fun and we were able to play 18 holes.  I love these Tuesday nights with the girls.  It's a nice way to relax and get some exercise.  I hope that winter doesn't arrive early this year!

Happy birthday Dad

Yesterday was Ralph's Dad's birthday.  He turned 83 years old.  Ralph and I have been amazed at  how well he has been doing this summer.  His health is much improved and he has become more engaged during the visits as well.  The other day he told us that he has been sitting outside from 9:00-11:30 and then again from 2:00-4:30 as often as he can.  He is getting a really nice tan.  A few years ago he couldn't even sit for 10 minutes.  Quite often at the end of our visit he prefers to stay outside and enjoy the beautiful weather.  We give thanks to God for blessing him so richly with improved health.

One job begets another

I have always maintained that when you start a project, other projects follow along in it's path.  This week we had a new cement pad poured by the side of our house to enable us to put up a new shed to store our patio furniture, cushions etc.  It's going to be really nice when it's all done. 

Unfortunately this morning, when I went to take the dog out, we (actually Oakley) noticed that there was a large pool of water sitting by the back door.  While it has been raining for a while, we have never experienced this before.  So, out comes the camera (to take a picture of course) but also to show Ralph as we don't want to have (a) Leaking in the basement and (b) Grace falling on her bottom when the weather turns cold and this becomes ice.

The work never ends does it!

The fascinator doesn't facinate

Well, it was worth a try!  While I was out and about - I found a pretty fascinator at Plant world.  Yes I said Plant world.  They seem to have everything these days.  I found this cute little fascinator and thought to myself - that's just the perfect accessory to go with my new dress for the wedding in September.  I visualized soft waves of blond hair around the hat with my pretty peacock dress.  Alas it is not meant to be.

It seems that my husband disagree's.  I guess that I'll put it away for another occasion - maybe the next Royal Wedding!  I do love hat's though!

Golden August

This poem was written in the Faith Manor news letter that Ralph's Dad gave to us today.  I thought it was quite nice.  Written by Elizabeth W. Winstead

There are no words for saying
How dazzling is the view
On golden days in August;
The glowing sun beams true.

I love the month of August -
Her gentle, peaceful breeze,
The bounty of rich farmlands
The brimming orchard tree's.

The year now turns to August,
A glim'ring gold array,
The golden month of sunshine
When blooms add rich display.

Then August spreads the colours
That linger in our eyes
The bloom of golden poppies,
Bright wings of butterflies.

The showers bring rainbows
Bright wonders to behold
Of coral, gold and purple -
A colour-fest, so bold.

At night the moon's bright halo
Shines down from the dark sky;
The golden starlight twinkes
O'er summer's last goodbye.

I hope that everyone enjoys their month of August.  For those who have vacation, sit back and relax and enjoy the beautiful weather because before you know it, the fall and winter will be upon us.

A day in the blistering heat

We've been waiting for a while for this day.  Our golf round was planned well in advance with August the 4th selected as the date that we were going to golf at Angus Glen.  There were 8 of us with the regular group eagerly anticipating in the round.  Chuck and Claudia, Grace and John, Teresa and Lawrence and Ralph and I were up for the challenge.

The course was pretty difficult for the women, while the men really enjoyed their rounds.  It was "HOT" and very "HUMID".  Our balls weren't flying like they usually do and regrettably most of us lost a fair number of balls.  Ah the joys of golf. Some days you can have the best round ever and then the next day, it's like you never golfed before.  That's ok though - even Phil Mickelson has days like this and he has attested to this just in the past week.  So while we're not in Phil's league, we can still say that we had fun.  What a nice way to enjoy the day, sharing it with friends.