I don't think I have ever neglected my site as I have lately. Life has a way of throwing curve balls every now and then and throwing you off your equiibrium. This summer has certianly started out different LOL.

Gene is now in Army boot camp, and I would deeply appreciate any prayers for his success and well being. I think about him daily and wonder how it's all going for him. What he is going through is anything but easy. But I also know he can do it. It's something he has wanted for a very long time. I am very proud of him!!!!

Sidney is away for a few weeks this summer. His Dad decided that after not seeing him for 8 years, that he wanted to come get him. (His Dad lives in Texas). There was only about two days notice, and I was hesitant. Sidney however, was on Cloud Nine. He really wanted to go. If I had said no, he would have resented it now and probably even more down the road. SO I let him go. It was a disaster. He didn't get to spend time with his Dad like we all thought, and ended up being at his half sister's house. Don't get me wrong. She loves him dearly. She has really missed him and loved having him there. But you know how dysfunctional families seem to leave that legacy to following generations? Seems her and her boyfriend, have knock down drag out fights, and had one while Sidney was there. (Good thing he doesn't live there and that they are not married). Whoa!!!! Sidney is definitely not used to that. The name calling, the physical punches,.....and I wanted to put him on a plane right away to bring him home. He's never seen such a thing, and it really unsettled him. But his other sister (my daughter), drove up from San Antonio, picked him up and took him with her. He is having the time of his life!!!!! He is getting to see and do things he wouldn't have other wise enjoyed. Needless to say, this summer will be one he will never forget!!!!

Nor will I. I was not prepared for Sidney to be gone for most of the summer, so soon after Gene left the nest LOL. It's been strange not having anyone here but us two, and as days pass it's actually getting harder, not better. I miss him! LOL

But he will come home in plenty of time to get his school clothes, and other needs filled before starting school in the late summer. (I can't say in the Fall anymore, as school now starts in the first week of August). I know he is having a blast, and he hadn't seen his older sissy in a few years. He decided I was to keep his birthday gifts here for when he returns, rather than mailing them to him. His birthday is July 6th. So he will have more surprises waiting for him when he gets here. And I don't know how she did it, but she talked Sidney into buying some shorts LOL. I tried several times to have him agree to me buying him some shorts for the summer. He would have none of it. But then he did that every year, then as summer got hotter, would relent and wear shorts. She took him shopping, and he picked out some cute shirts and shorts. He even modeled them and she emailed me the pics LOL. She did a good job on the pics. They were precious!!!!! Still don't know how she got him to try them on at the store and then again at home LOL. It was like pulling hen's teeth to get him to do that at home.

We are simply doing our usual daily stuff. We haven't had any rain in two weeks or better. We have to water to garden and flowers every couple of days. Tongiht it got windy, cloudy, and a few faint drops fell before once again, it passed us on by. But I know that our needs will be provided for. God will give us rain when we need it, and if we have to work a little extra to water in between, there's a reson somewhere LOL. Dillard hasn't had to mow though. To mow a yard when there hasn't been any rain, is a sure grass killer. I have looked at many yards around our town, where people mowed anyway, and now they have brown lawns. We have tall weeds in places, and even baby trees sprouting here and there. Doesn't look nice for sure, but it's better to endure that a little longer, than to kill it all by mowing while it's so dry.

We were supposed to have our roof redone Saturday, but we had a 60% chance of rain. We held off as the roof coating needs several hours to cure. If it rains, the coating will simply wash off. It didn't rain. LOL So maybe next weekend. Sigh.

I have been busy learning more on making graphics. The more I learn, the more I realize I have barely begun LOL. Still. it's loads of fun and the groups I am in keep me challenged. If I ever get really good, I will put together my own webset for my own website. In the meantime, I try to use what little I know and create beauty to share with others.

Inventory is next week for our store. Groan. We have been busy getting ready for it. I love being busy!!!!! But I do dread the day of inventory. We absolutely cannot touch anything until inventory has been done for our department, and they have signed off on it. Customers can do whatever they like. If something is out of place, we have to let it lie where it is. (Thats so hard to do) So we basically just have to walk around unless we are assisting customers. But the company they hire, sends in tons of staff, and they swarm the store with their handy dandy little gadgets, counting away. Once all is said and done, then we deal with any discrepancies. Funsies!

Yesterday we harvested two Zucchini and two Yellow squash!!!!!! Today I went ahead and got another squash that wasn't as big, but good sized I thought. The beans have blooms all over them, and the corn is getting full of tassels!!!!! The tomatoe plants are slowing down for lack of rain. Healthy, but slow. I tried an old trick with the tomato plants this year. I mulched around them with several layers of newspaper. I read, that the newspaper would help hold in moisture, and it would also prevent weeds. All mulches promise no weeds, but then invariably some do manage to get through. So far, nothing has been able to come up through the newspaper!!!! It really works. Better than any commercial mulch I have ever used. Talk about recycling LOL. Next year I will use newspaper around everything!!!!! The melons are slow to grow though. Healthy enough, but small and slow. I so hope they come through. This is my first year to try carrots. They seem to be doing well. It's been years since I tasted a full flavored carrot! I want the real thing LOL, not the hybrid, quick grown stuff in the grocery stores. No wonder a lot of people don't like carrots. I wouldn't either if that's the way they really tasted.

Gotta run, but of courese I will share one of many things I have managed to create lately. Be blessed!