Well, we've got a little catchin' up to do! Seems that more often than not, the "busyness" of life gets in the way of things I'd like or want to do...so once again, I'm waaaaaaay behind!

Last weekend, my younger Tim and his wife Robin drove in from Raleigh, NC for a quick visit with Mom and Dad. We were blessed to have the opportunity to have all three of us "Fox" kids together, even if just for a couple of days....and we made the most of our short time, getting some things either "in the works" or done for Mom and Dad, and catching up each other just a little bit on what is going on in our lives.

My older brother, Ray, me (the middle child) and my younger brother, Tim

Thanks, Tim, for helping Dad with getting the computer set up so that he is more comfortable with it.....we all appreciate it, and are glad that you had a safe trip here and back home.

Remember that pontoon boat that Willie had been helping my brother "refurbish"? Well, here we are....ready to go for a ride on the lake (and, no, I'm NOT going to fall in....I actually made it into the boat with no mishaps). It was a beautiful evening and we thoroughly enjoyed the ride over to Cherokee Steakhouse (about an hour away....as-the-boat-goes). Sooooo relaxing......

And how can I resist yet another photo of my handsome honey....the man of many talents (now adding "boatwright" to his list of skills)!
After our enjoyable and FILLING dinner, we headed back to the boat only to be met by quackers lookin' for a handout....sorry, what we didn't eat, we're taking with us for another meal!
And then it was back on the lake for the ride back to "home port"....and even with a stray shower here and there, we really enjoyed the ride. Thanks, Ray and Linda!
Now for the "rest of the story".....we've also been busy trying to get things done for Mom and Dad before we head out in a little over a week. This week included trips to the urologist and audiologist for Dad, with return trips for both doc's planned for next week. It also included shopping for drapes for their room (mission accomplished....now just need to get all the hardware), and a multitude of other chores.

And I'll leave you with a photo of our newest grandchild-to-be....Lucas Scott McKissick.....

Thumbs up, Baby L! Can't wait to meet you....just hang in there for awhile, will ya'?!!

This has definitely NOT been our year when it comes to electronic gadgets or equipment....! Let's see....first it was the digital camera going for "a swim" in the Doe River....then it was the broadband "card" that came apart (thankfully, that was one piece of equipment I DID get insurance for and it has now been replaced)....and now, it's my replacement camera that is giving me a headache. Or rather, the fact that it did NOT make it back into my purse when we were having dinner with Jon Thursday night, and apparently was "acquired" by someone other than myself! Oh, well.....lessons learned, I guess...

So needless to say, there are no exciting (or even boring) photos to post right now.....maybe later this week.

It has been a busy week, tho'. Willie continued to help my brother Ray with "refurbishment" of his pontoon boat (which BTW is now back in the water.....think we'll get a ride on the lake this week?)...built a cross for the sanctuary here at Covenant Fellowship, helped mow the expansive property here...and went fly-fishing with Rick again. This time was different...he caught a brown trout!

I spent a good part of the week either spending time with Mom and Dad, or doing things to help Mom and Dad....we are trying to do some things in their room to make it feel less "institutional" and more homey. We are making progress....only have two more weeks in which to get "things done", so have to get myself in gear and get going!

My brother Tim and his wife Robin made a quick trip over from Raleigh, NC and were a great help in getting some things set up for Mom and Dad. Plus, it was really nice to see them after such a long time! And I know their visit meant a lot to Mom and Dad.

We need to send out belated birthday wishes to Kaila, our granddaughter, who turned five yesterday..........
.....and I think I forgot to send out wishes to our grandson, Brandon, who also turned five on July 9th!
Man, those kids just keep growing up! Seems like just yesterday....well, not quite, but getting close....when the kids were that age. Now, we're talking grandkids.....gotta' love 'em...they can either keep you young, or make you feel old....it's your choice. I choose young!!

I've been doing some organizing of photos on Flickr and saw these....thought I'd share them with you as a reminder of the beauty of the world around us....and also as a reminder that on those dreary days when it seems like the rain (literally or figuratively) will never stop, that God uses that "rain" to make all things beautiful....in HIS time!

These shots of beautiful flowers were taken at Rose of Sharon Campground in Burlison, TN...
A beautiful New Guinea impatiens....still "drinking" some of that rain!



And one perfect Gerber daisy with a single drop of moisture caught in the center....like I want to be caught in the center of His will!
Be sure to take the time to look for beauty around you....it's there!

Yummm, yum....it's time to make a black raspberry betty with berries that Willie just picked! There are quite a number of berry bushes beside the parking lot here at my brother's church, and it's just so sad to see them going to waste (or should that be "waist"?), so we are making use of them. (This concoction will be shared with the Sunday School class in the morning...so we're not total gluttons!)

Willie has been doing quite a number of things since we have been here....from weeding, mulching, fixing leaky hoses to helping my brother with refurbishing of his pontoon boat. Sure hope they get it back in the water before we leave!

(The new flooring....which now has carpet on it, seats installed....

waiting for the console to go back on.)

And as always, we are on the lookout for those "kodak-type" moments.

And on a family note, last Saturday, July 4th and our country's Independence Day, was also my mom's 89th birthday. So we gathered at her favorite dining establishment, Picadilly, for a celebratory dinner.
She didn't want balloons (even in the nursing home she refused to have a balloon on her door or her wheelchair....said they were silly), so we opted for a simple celebration, which didn't last too long....she was tired and ready to "go home." But I guess at 89, she's more than entitled to "being tired"! It is always nice to catch up with family members, and my nephew Steve's little girl, Lela, is always material for a cute photo....even with mosquito bites and cracker crumbs on her face!

Look at those eyes!

Now for the promised update on the back/shoulder/neck issues I have been dealing with....the chiro/kineaseologist and the neuro/muscular massage specialist believe that my pain is completely muscle related.....and my M.D. concurs! I am finally beginning to feel that I may actually be able to rejoin the land of the physically active and PARTICIPATE in life, tho' right now I have to be careful....doesn't take much to bring on the pain while I go through this therapy process. (Being patient has never been one of my strong suits, but maybe it is one of the many lessons that God is bringing home to me as I deal with this.) So now it is therapy and learning new and correct ways of doing a number of things, but I do give thanks for a God who gives direction, understanding.....and even patience!

Have a blessed Lord's day tomorrow.....and if you're in the area, stop by Covenant Fellowship for some black raspberry betty....you won't be sorry!

I know, I know....it's been too long since I posted anything new! BUT....I will be doing it later this weekend, so check back.

Oh....and the news re: back/shoulder/neck pain is good, but you'll have to check back later to find out more! : )