Our day at the beach

One day last week, Jimmy and I got to spend the whole day together. We decided to take a day trip to the beach. It was a weekday, which means.......most folks were at work and we pretty much had the beach to ourselves. It was a lovely day. It was a little cool and the wind was rather busy, but it was a wonderful day, none the less. We headed to the public pier. You know, where Pier Park is. It is just awesome what they have done with that. I remember what it used to look like and BOY is it an improvement.

We parked at Public Access #57.

They are still making renovations on the beach though. And here's a shot of them working on the actual pier. It was neat to watch them pick up complete sections of the old pier and haul them away. I know it's going to be wonderful when it's finished. I can hardly wait to see the end product.


Jimmy and I each had our own agenda at the beach. But you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see what those were. Today's post is more about what we saw when we first got there.

Then we saw this guy. He was out there all by himself fishing from shore. Now, I think this must be the most boring thing I've ever seen. But, Jimmy assured me that the man was loving being it. I don't get it?! He never caught one fish the whole 2 hours we were there?! Hmmm. I guess that's kind of like having a pocketbook full of money and not finding one single thing at the mall. Like I said, "WEIRD!" ha!

Then.................I saw them! All these ONE LEGGED sea gulls dotting the beach! They were everywhere. They were here, they were there, they were.....................wait a minute. That one, like all the rest, only had one leg a minute ago, now he's walking away. Ohhhhh, I get it, they are Panama City flamingos!!! hahaha! No, these fellas were trying to keep one leg at a time warm.

OK, more fun photos and another chapter of our beach story tomorrow. Hope you'll return.

Oh, and here's your Irish Blessing for today's post:

May you always have these blessings

A soft breeze when summer comes

A warm fireside in winter

And always the warm, soft smile of a friend

Learning to tote my camera

For the longest time I have wanted a "big girl" camera. I have always enjoyed taking pictures and I love looking at pictures. I enjoy nature pictures but my absolute favorite pictures are pictures of "LIFE". Just plain old, every day, run of the mill, what happens in real life....pictures. For example; an old farmer on a tractor in his field, a lady working in her garden, a child playing on a swing set, a young couple hand in hand on the beach. Things like that.

I finally got the "big girl" camera! It's not the biggest, it's not the best, but it IS a really good start. Now, I just have to learn to carry it with me everywhere I go. That's how you capture pictures of "LIFE". On any given day, one can capture life. It's everywhere you look. It's in the park, it's in the sky, it's on the farm, it's in the city, it's, well, everywhere!

I will be sharing with you these "life" photos as I take them. I hope you will enjoy and appreciate them as much as I do. It's amazing, when you look around at "life", how very blessed you are to be a part of it. The awesomeness our Lord provides on a daily basis for each of us to behold. And to acknowledge each vision as a gift from Him. There are so many reasons to praise Him!

Here are some shots I took of my oldest son's girlfriend at the park the other day. She is so much fun. No, they are not anything fancy. Just fun. And no, they are not pictures of a stranger randomly taken in a park. We staged them, but they are fun, none the less.

As you can see..........it was a very exhausting afternoon!

And in honor of my Irish heritage, I will be leaving you with an Irish Blessing at the end of every post this month. Good day!

May your troubles be less

May your blessings be more

And nothing but happiness

Come through your door

My friend, Judy

I met my friend, Judy, at the park this afternoon for an impromptu photo shoot. It was a gorgeous day and the park was full of people of all ages. Children playing while their mothers watched from a park bench, adults walking the track, a family cooking out, and some seniors sitting at a picnic table having a conversation. You couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.

Judy is so much fun and willing to do whatever. Even though the park was full of people, she played along with my silly requests as I posed her for shot after shot. We had a good time and some good laughs as well. I know we'll be doing this again.

So, without further ado...........Heeeeeeeerrrrreeeeees JUDY!

MY, how the time does fly...

I can't believe it's been nearly a week since I last posted. I have been so busy. But, busy is good. Idle hands are the devil's workshop, right?!



Over the past week, I've...........

*worked my part time job

*crocheted on a scarf for a friend

*lead AWANA at church and then choir practice after

*got my hair done.............again (we're super close to the original state of my hair......I think!)

*attended my Beth Moore Bible study on Esther

*visited with friends

*took photos for my March CONTEST! (That's right, it's coming in a few days!- Get ready!)

*attended my goddaughter's Sweet 16 Ball in Marianna and took pictures

*early church, Sunday school, choir and then worked the AWANA appreciation luncheon



So...........yeah.......I've been a little busy this past week. No excuse is a good excuse. I promise to try and do better.



As I listed above, I have a contest coming up. I am going to try and start doing one contest a month. I hope to have some good (and even some homemade) prizes that will entice you to participate. I must admit, my March contest will be mostly for those who live in Chipley or for those who visit regularly and know the area pretty well. But, like I said, I'll be doing a contest once a month, so if you don't get in on this one, you'll be ready for then next one.



I hope to be posting some pictures of the Sweet 16 Ball soon. I want to wait and let the girls (and their mothers) see their photos before I post them. But, I'll have them on here as soon as possible.



I also have another photo opportunity coming up next Sunday afternoon. I'm excited about that. And then I have another one lined up the following Saturday over in Marianna. So, be on the lookout for several photos in the near future.



OK, I'm signing off. Over and out!



Happy Sunday!

http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=e559ff65d476804cbdf6

Faith

I know that many of you who read my blog know of the trials I have been encountering for the past four months. First of all, I never thought I would be directly affected by the state of our nation's economic crisis. Secondly, I certainly never thought I would have yet to find a full time job. I have searched diligently, and still..................nothing. But, amazingly to myself and others, I still have a peace within me. I know my current situation would throw many into a deep depression, and yet, here I am today, four months into a trying situation, still praising my Lord and Savior. I praise Him for who He is. I praise Him for what He's done for me throughout my life and throughout my situation. I praise Him for all the others who have been blessed by my faith in Him. What I am going through is very uncomfortable, but I know that He is using me to encourage others. I want my life to be a testimony to those who are going through the same thing. I want others to know, they too, can count on Him to sustain them, just as He sustains me. Sure, I would like for my situation to be different, but more than that, I still want to be in the middle of His will for my life, even if that means employed part time. We are learning to trust Him more through all of this. Maybe that's the lesson He has for us in it. He has provided "just" what we need as we need it for the past four months and I know we can trust Him to continue to take care of us.

So, today I searched my Bible looking for encouragement regarding faith. This is what I found...

Faith is defined in a practical way in Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The writer of Hebrews illustrates those who took God at His word and had faith in what He said.

What exactly is faith? It is confidence. It is believing. It is trusting. The importance of having faith to believe can hardly be overstated: "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him", says Hebrews 11:6. 2 Chronicles 20:20 tells us to "........Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld....."

How can we, no matter what our circumstances, not show faith in a God that is so faithful? The evidence of His faithfulness surrounds me in my everyday life. It is obvious to me in even the smallest things from day to day. And I find such joy in sharing it with others.

I know that others are being blessed by Him through me (which in turn blesses me like you wouldn't believe!) and I am willing to go wherever He leads me to further His kingdom. If seeing my reactions to my trials blesses someone else and/or brings them to Him, it is all worth it and my uncomfortableness is not in vain. To God be the glory! Forever and ever, Amen!

And I leave you with this:

For great is His love for us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.
Psalm 117:2

http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=92ac1e43b57340fd30d8

Whew!

It's amazing how much one forgets....................

I am the mother of two boys, ages 20 and 16. I had my children when I was young. I was 20 when I had David and 24 when I had Michael. I was young and resilient. Or maybe it's just been so long, I don't remember how frazzled and tired I was?!

Either way, it's amazing how one forgets all that a baby brings to your home. In as much as there is cuteness, there is chaos. Likewise, as much joy...the same amount of jolted nerves. And as much happiness and giggles....also comes helplessness and wiggles, while you're trying to feed them, changed them and dress them. I am exhausted.

I have been keeping our friend's 10 month old girl for the past two days. She is adorable, funny and precious. She is also demanding, speedy (on her hands and knees) and tireless! I had forgotten how much doesn't get done when you have a baby in the house. At first it kind of bothered me to not be able to keep my normal routine, but then, I decided to just relax and roll with the flow. And another thing I had forgotten.......when you relax.....they relax. Oh, yeah. So, it really is just like riding a bike.

But, my point is, today.........I am SO thankful for the "Mother Stage" I am currently in. I am enjoying watching my boys do for themselves, be self sufficient, reaching their goals, being independent. No, they don't do everything perfectly. They don't keep their rooms clean or the towels picked up off the bathroom floor, but they do fix their own snacks when they are hungry and entertain themselves. And for that, today, I am thankful!

To all you new moms with little ones in your home, I salute you and I will pray for you!

And the WINNER is......

Cathy!!

Cathy and Leah BOTH had 12 out of 14 right! GREAT job! Cathy and Leah's names were put in a bowl and Michael drew Cathy's name, determining the winner.

Jeremy, you had 8 right out of 14. Nice goin'!

I sincerely hope you all had a good time with this. I will definitely be doing this one again soon.

Now, without further ado.......here are the contest pictures in their original state.

1. Feathers (from the goose on the bottom left corner of this shot.)

2. Lake

3. Metal Roof

4. Pampas Grass

5. Sweet Gum (ball) seed pod

6. Wooden Door Knob

7. Chicken Wire (door)

8. Spigot

9. Terra Cotta Pot

10. Car Dash Speaker

11. Deer Chest (FYI - I have never/would never take a picture of an animals....um....backside!)

12. Rusty (garbage can) Lid

13. Painted (tongue and groove) Wood

14. Frost

Congratulations to Cathy............AND to Leah! And definitely HONORABLE MENTION to Jeremy as well!!!

I pray each and every one of you have a blessed weekend!