What a Beautiful Sunrise!

Well it was just a beautiful morning as you can see by the picture. This is what Pat and I saw this morning as we set on the front porch. Not like being in the mountains but it was a pretty fall morning with a nice sunrise.

I started working on my room this day. Again things that the contractor would normally do but…..gotta do something. On Sunday after church I will take down the fans and ceiling light, and then I will be done…..”I think!”

Tonight Pat and I will go to some fundraiser at the country club and then we will slip out early. We are going to see Manatee play Riverview HS. It is also a celebration and reunion of the class of 1989. We won the Florida State Championship that year. It should be fun seeing the entire football player from that team.
I still have this terrible cough and shortness of breath that I have had for about 6 weeks. I guess it is about time to go see a doctor and give him some money.
In the morning is flag football day and we will go watch the grandkids play. Then Pat has to come home and start cooking something for the Gator Watch party at Caleb Grimes home. Our club has been invited to watch the Gator game over there. They are cooking out and Pat always goes with food in hand, never empty handed. It should be a fun night especially if the Gator’s will play good and win. I think that is up for discussion after last week.
Well all, I will see you on Monday on the Blog. Have a Blessed week end and be Blessed.
Encouraging Words
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

Now it Starts

Here are some pictures of our room that is going to be demolished. As you can see we have cleaned out the inside from what I showed you a week ago on the Blog. Today I began doing some the work that the contractor would have done. I guess I cannot keep my hands off of anything, I have to be involved. The boards that you see that I removed are braces. I put them on several years ago when a hurricane was looking at Bradenton. I have plywood cut out for that room and the braces were there so that the wood could be applied. They have to come off because they would hinder the contractor from removing the windows. I will not need then anymore because I am installing hurricane impact windows in the new room.
The contractor, Mark Wolfe showed up today to meet with some block layers for them to give him a bid. He dug around the foundation to be sure that the room had a footer, which it does. The only area that I am concerned about is the roof. When we tear the ceiling down we will find out if we are in good shape there or not. I hope so, if not that will be more money to put out. Pat is really fretting all of this as it will take about a month for them to complete. Then Pat and I will take over, paint and have the carpet installed. I am sure it will be nice once it is all done.
Sunday I will take down the light and fans from the ceiling. I will then tape up construction paper on the glass sliding doors. This will act as curtains and give us some privacy.
Take care today and be Blessed.
Encouraging Words
“A man finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!” (Proverbs 15:23)

A New Start!

Today is the first day of the rest of my life! Ever heard that, I am sure you have. But it has a new meaning for me today I hope! I have complained and complained of being tired and having no energy, to my wife and to my doctor. My wife loves me so she does not respond negatively to me. But, but my doc that’s another thing. He tells me to get off my butt and walk or do something. I have made many excuses but I hope that I am done. I have been inspired by my daughter Sandy who is “back on the wagon” with exercise. I started today and I hope that I will be committed to it. No that is not a picture of me, if I don't walk each it could be. Oh to be that young again!!! If you read my Blog and are a friend please email me periodically and remind me to get off my butt.
I have something that I want to share with you. It was sent to me by Roger & Cindy (Frank) Thompson. They are friends whom I have known many years, clear back to the “good ole 50’s”. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Encouraging Words
“I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8)

Recently,
I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged, and the mother said, 'I love you, and I pray you enough.'
The daughter replied, 'Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I pray you enough, too, Mom'

They kissed, and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window
where I was seated. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to
cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by
asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'


Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever
good-bye?'

'Well...I'm not as young as I once was, she lives so far away & has her own
busy life. I have some challenges ahead, and the reality is - her next trip
back will be for my funeral,' she said.

'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say,
'I pray you enough.' May I ask what that means?'

She began to smile. 'That's a prayer that has been
Handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.'
She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail,
and she smiled even more.
'When we said, 'I pray you enough,' we wanted the other person to have a
life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.'

Then, turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting
it from memory.

I pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the
day may appear.

I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even
more.

I pray you enough happiness to keep your
spirit alive and everlasting.

I pray you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear
bigger.

I pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I pray you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I pray you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Then, she began to cry, and walked away.

They say, it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate
them, a day to love them, but an entire life to forget them.


* Only if you pray, send this to the people
you will never forget, and remember to send it back to the person who sent
it to you. If you don't send it to anyone, it may mean that you are in such
a hurry that you have forgotten your friends.

TAKE TIME TO LIVE.....

To all my friends and loved ones,
I PRAY YOU ENOUGH......

What to do, What to do???

Well I am coming to another cross road in my life; time will tell what I do. I have discussed with Pat the thought of giving up our Gator season tickets next year. She has said that it is totally my decision as to or not to. Saturday’s going to Gainesville has been a real treat but lately it has become a tiresome week end for me. I cannot take the heat at early games and that is a big concern. It takes away your weekend of time watching our grandsons playing sports. And at this stage of my life I believe watching them is more important to me. The Gators will always be on TV so it is not like I will be missing the games. Another thing that works on my thinking is fishing, the fall is great at the lake and I miss that also. Pat and I bought a nice big Pontoon boat a year ago and have not been fishing at the lake like we should. So. Any way lots of pondering is going on in my pea brain.
I keep thinking of my brother in law who quit going to LSU games and fishing years ago. Not sure about the fishing but I have begin to understand the LSU games. But fishing…..here is a guy who taught me how to bass fish. Some of the best fishing I have ever done was with him, his wife and Pat and I. We use to fish for Red Fish and trout in Louisiana on a regular schedule, and I really miss that time. Not only the fishing was great but the time spent with family was priceless. Time is going by so quickly I can hardly believe it is 2009 and soon to be 2010.

Here are some photos of Tyler and Luke playing flag football. They seem to really like it and I think that Tyler has fooled everyone on how good he is. The picture of Luke should have a caption that says “Ok, where did you Go”. Actually he is trying to attach his flag properly to his belt. Tyler is shown with a great defensive leap high in the air.

Encouraging Words:

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:12)

Gators Still No# 1

Florida No. 1 in first BCS standings

Well I waited with a nervous anticipation and fretting for my Gator’s to see who would be No#1 in the polls. By the grace of the Football Gods the Gator’s still are in the front. The coaches and BCS poll all have them number #1, the AP has Bama. I have always thought that the AP was a little misguided and they have proven me right again. Now this is not to say that it was a close call and that the Gator’s must win big this week end to maintain that ranking. In looking at their injuries list they need all the help they can get.

I hope to have some pictures to show you of the deer that have been feeding at the Truans home in Newnan Georgia. I just can’t describe how beautiful it is in that area, I just love it. There is something to living in a somewhat rural area that cannot be explained. But at my age it is too late to make a change like that, but I am really happy for my daughter and her husband.

After I wrote on my Blog Sunday I decided to work in the yard instead of watching the Buc’s lose again. It was a little cool but an excellent day to weed eat, edge and mow. I did notice that Pat was out in the yard picking up sticks from the oak trees. That is not something I think that she should be doing, but those who know Ms Pat……she does her thing.

Coming to work today I saw that this past week end must have been Political sign week end. I saw many new signs especially on Manatee Ave west. The election is Nov 3rd and I hope there will be no changes on the council.

This Saturday the Manatee Gator club is having a big watch party at the home of Caleb and Michele Grimes home. The Gators are playing Miss St and it should be a great game as the new head coach is an x -Gator coach. I hope I will have some pictures to share with you next week.

Encouraging Words

“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

" WHEW....." How About Them Gator's"?

Well it was not pretty but it is a W in the win column. The picture above is the winning field goal with 9 sec left. The weather was just fantastic for football, so the Gator's should have done well. The temp was in the 60 degree range most of the game so it made for a great day.

James and Sandy called us to let us know that the deer have found the corn feeder. In one week they have eaten about 1 foot of corn out of the feeder. I hope that they get to see them as they feast on their favorite food.

Pat and I went to the Manatee High game on Friday night, Manatee struggled but beat Braden River HS 14 - 7. It was a drizzly night but still a good nigh to be there. They now have beaten every HS in the county and are county champs!

My Alabama grad daughter has been really ragging me about how bad the Gator's looked. She feels that Bama may take over the No#1 spot, and they may. The real test will be if they meet again in Atlanta for the SEC game.

Be Blessed today.....Encouraging Words

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14)