A perfect Friday night...

Jim and I dont always find ourselves with a night alone, but last night happened to be one of those nights.  Both boys were off doing their own things.  I had recently bought a picnic basket that I was itching to use (beats the old red cooler).  Little did I know, Jim had already planned a night out in Lawenceville, on the historic courthouse grounds, with a free concert.  A quick trip to Publix to stock the basket with fried chicken, pasta salad and a little banana pudding to share, and we were set. 

The weather was perfect, the picnic was delicious and the band ("Rack of Spam") was actually pretty good.  The best part of the evening was, of course, the company.  You see, after 20-ish years of marriage.... we still like to spend time together.  We talk and laugh and geniuinely have a good time with each other.  Its easy to do when you're married to your best friend! 

A MUST read.....

Have thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend.  Whether you "crave" food, material items, social status, etc., it's a great book that brings God's plan for these desires back into refocus.  Read it and tell me what you think!

In God's time... and no one elses!

The media buzz this week has been about the radio preacher who has predicted the rapture at 6:00 pm tonight.  I have been saddened by the media coverage... simply because the media tends to lean towards agnostic journalism, sometimes even "mocking" the thought that the rapture will be a real event.  Secondly, due to this man's "prediction", there may be alot of people who have made irrational decisions, or currently  live in "fear" of the prediction... thus, drinking the kool-aid. 

The Bible is clear:

Matthew 24: 34-37

Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

So if God decides the day and hour is today, tomorrow, next week, next month, next year... the main question is ARE YOU READY?  I am ready, having made preparations many years ago... accepting Jesus Christ as my Saviour.  For that, I am thankful and can have immense peace. 

So today, I'm cleaning house, entertaining dogs, catching up on some reading and then heading to dinner and movie with a friend tonight.... all with Peace in my heart.  If God's timing does happen to be tonight, I'll see you in Heaven. 

Dog-sitting

Mom and Dad are making a trek to Indiana today, and I am dog-sitting for their puppy, Ollie.  Like Ramey, Ollie too is a Cavalier King Charles, so its good to get them together for play time and companionship.  Ollie is less 1  year old and Ramey will be 2 in September, so the age difference is obvious when it comes to their playtime.  Ollie stays in a perpetual "play" mode... Ramey stays in a perpetual "pant" mode from so much activity.  I liken it to the 14 year brother being bothered by the 5 year brother.  Its fun to watch. 

Ramey (left) and Ollie

Ramey - Perpetual "pant" stage

Not sure what I was thinking....

When you enter the lottery for a Peachtree Road Race entry number, there's a 50/50 chance of being picked.  Pretty good odds, I'd say.... so, why was I surprised when the email came that I was picked? Hmmm... immediately, I started to wonder... what was I thinking? 

However, I remember that same feeling when I signed up for my first 5K in April, 2010 and I completed it, in the RAIN! 

Finish Line - Grayson 5K - April, 2010

 

The Peachtree is one of the items on my "Bucket List".  So, I'll go and I'll do my best to finish....  I'll cross this one off my list and I'll probably be thinking......NEVER AGAIN!  :)

No more "Little League"

Jim & I watched our last official "Little League" game last night as parents.  Granted, not one player on the 14U team that Dillon played on I would classify as "little", however it was the last game of his 8th grade  baseball season.  He played for the 14U Dacula Falcons this season, a inner-Gwinnett travel baseball team (GGBL).  We've played out of many parks during our 12 year stint in our current home, but this was  the one and only season of being a Falcon.  (I dont think I ever got used to saying that... and probably slipped up a time or two by saying Tigers).

The GGBL end of season tournament started last weekend, with the Championship game to be played at COOLRAY FIELD, home of the Gwinnett Braves.  This potential opportunity sparked lots of excitement in the players.  However, last night's 5-4 loss put that opportunity out of reach.  It was a tense, hard-fought game, but in the end, we just came up a little short. 

I had feelings of sadness and excitement during the ride home.  Sadness, because our children are older and we're no longer qualified to be "Little League" parents.  Excitement, because the next level, High School, is just around the corner, and that's something that Dillon is looking forward to. 

Good job 14U Dacula Falcons! 

Good job #20.  You made this Little League Mama proud for many years. 

Some days, I just dont like Dave.......

Jim and I started the Dave Ramsey "Financial Peace University" in February of this year.  We've been married for over 20 years, and truly never lived by a budget.  We never really knew where our money went.... we just knew it went and went quickly!  We didnt enter the program with loads of debt like others we met along the way, but really just wanted to attend to become more fiscally responsible, basing our spending on Christian morals, etc. 

Dave Ramsey tells it like it is.... and we jumped right in abiding by his suggestions.  Cash for all purchases, monthly budget with no overage, etc. 

Some days, I miss the frivoulous purchases... some days I miss the pedicures whenever I wanted them, and some days I miss the Starbucks and Smoothie purchases.
We live by a new motto:  WWDD?  What would Dave Do?  Ughhh... Somedays, its just not fun. 

But, I will love Dave when we have my car paid off 1 year early!  So today, I just deal with Dave and his rules!  And throw away the Kohls flyer, that happpens to be calling my name.