A PRAYER LIFTED ON BUTTERFLY WINGS

~~~~This is my second post today, but I was so touched and honored and excited that I couldn't wait to share this with you.~~~~

My sweet friend and neighbor, Debbie, came this afternoon to bring me a butterfly.

She wanted me to make a wish or send up a prayer on butterfly wings. Isn't that the sweetest thing you've ever ever heard?! I have chill bumps everytime I think of it!

I reached into the cage and it climbed right onto my finger. I said my prayer and gently released it and watched it soar.

~~~~~~

George tried to snap a photo, but as you can see it was quickly on it's way to heaven. You can see just a touch of it at the top of the photo.

~~~~~~
And not only did Debbie bring me a butterfly, she brought the sweetest card.

It read:

God knows what's in your heart

and what you need before you ask

Even when you

don't know for sure, God knows,

because He knows you.

He knows the outcome

of every situation,

and He's guiding you

even when you might feel

that you have lost your way.

He knows how much you can bear,

and He will give you strength

and fill you with His grace

and blessings

as He walks with you

every step of the way.

He is surrounding you

with His love

and holding you gently

in the palm of His hand

Sharon Valleau

~~~~~~

What a perfect card. You have all heard me say many many times that I will not fear because I know God holds me (and you) in His righteous right hand. What comfort that is to me.

~~~~~~

I will not fear!

~~~~~~

My MRI is Monday afternoon at 2:45 and my MRI guided biopsy is Tuesday morning at 6:30 if you'd like to pray for me during that time. Thanks sweet friends for your prayers and your friendship.

From Kat

A NIGHT OUT WITH THE "STARS"

Last night we went to fairly new restaurant in town with two other couples who live on our street. What fun!

For some reason (?) the guys sat on one side and the girls on the other, but we're all facing our spouse. Front to back - Ralph and Debbie, George and I, and Dick and Linda. These couples are alot of fun.

The girls - Linda, me, Debbie
The guys - Ralph, George and Dick

Being silly...I had to take a profile photo of the three Italian noses. LOL

This was my meal...Oh.My.Word! Grilled grouper with summer vegetables (grilled squash, eggplant, asparagus) served with mashed potatoes and a spicy pesto sauce. Yummy! Loved the presentation too.

This restaurant is known for it's "ici-tinis". I love martinis so I just had to try one. They literally serve it in an ice glass.

Then the ice glass is set into a regular cold glass.

The guys hung out with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Dean Martin

Linda and I got close with Dean Martin

Ralph with Frank
Dick with Dean
George with Sammy

~~~~~~

We all rode there and back in one car and we sang songs all the way home. So much fun.

And look who was waiting at Dick and Linda's house when we got back. Elvis himself was ready to keep the night hoppin'. Dick cranked up the music and we continued to sing along.

Of course, we girls wanted our photos taken with Elvis.

George walked to our house and got Miss Daisy, so she could join in the fun. Debbie got in the floor with her. (Debbie loves dogs and is keeping Miss Daisy while we're in Birmingham.)

~~~~~

Speaking of Birmingham - We're leaving in the morning. Keep sending up the prayers please.

From Kat

AND I DIDN'T HEAR "FORE"

If you live in a resort area....

with four golf courses....

and you ride your bike on paths all along the courses...

and you drink lots and lots of water since it's HOT, HOT, HOT...

and a ball comes flying through the air and almost hits you in the head...

which could kill you instantly...

it's almost impossible to make it home in dry undies!

I'm just saying....

From Kat

BUBBLES WITH A GOOD BOOK

I'm reading a great book - THE BOOK OF BRIGHT IDEAS by Sandra Kring. I first heard about it from Lynne a few days ago and just knew it would be one I would love. I picked it up at the library yesterday and I'm really enjoying it. Thanks Lynne!

On the front: A powerful, poignant novel of family, friendship and a summer that will change lives forever.

From the back of the book: Family, Friendship, Sisterhood, Secrets. For two young girls, an incredible journey is about to begin...Wisconsin, 1961. Evelyn "Button" Peters is nine the summer Winnalee and her fiery-spirited older sister, Freeda, blow into her small town - and from the moment she sees them, Button knows this will be a summer unlike any other.Much to her mother's dismay, Button is fascinated by the Malone sisters, especially Winnalee, a feisty scrap of a thing who carries around a shiny silver urn containing her mother's ashes and a tome she calls "The Book of Bright Ideas." It is here, Winnalee tells Button, that she records everything she learns: her answers to the mysteries of life. But sometimes those mysteries conceal a truth better left buried. And when a devastating secret is suddenly revealed, dividing loyalties and uprooting lives, no one - from Winnalee and her sister to Button and her family - will ever be the same.

I'm not a big fan of TV, but I love a good book. I'm off now to soak in the tub with some bubbles while I read more of this wonderful book. Awwwww.....

From Kat

PUSH

P----pray

U----until

S----something

H----happens

From Kat

A TRUE HONOR

This lovely statute is called the "Arte y Pico" award which was created to be given to bloggers who inspire others with their creative energy and talents no matter whether it be in the form of writing, artwork, design, interesting material, or contributions to the blogger community. I am more than just touched to know that Sandi at Holding Patterns who I love and admire is the one who is presenting it to me. When a blogger receives this award it is considered a "special honor" and, once presented to you, it is to be passed on to at least 5 other bloggers who meet the criteria.

Even though I received this award back in May from Judy at Gracious Southern Living, it doesn't diminish the honor one tiny little bit. As a matter of fact, it thrills me even more. I passed it on to 5 special friends at that time and now I'd like to award 5 more.

~~~~~~

Mel at Mel's Word by Melissa Mashburn

DebraK at The Bunnies' Bungalow

Jill at Who Could Ask for Anything More

Teresa at Living The Life

Brenda at Welcome to Country Romance From the Heart


Thanks Sandi for making my day!



From Kat

I LOVE THIS

My friends and famiy keep checking on me and asking how I'm doing and if I'm nervous. I'm really not. Thank you Lord. I'm going about "business as usual" until we go to UAB in Birmingham next Monday. Every one is lifting me in prayer and I can feel it and it comforts me.

A sweet friend left me comment the other day that I just love. Here's what she said:

I remember hearing something so cool - instead of saying, "God, here is my problem" we need to say, "Problem, here is my God." Doesn't that just raise your faith?

~~~

The answer is -YES IT DOES!



From Kat

HERE'S WHAT I'M SINGING

Diamonds ARE a girl's best friend! Oh yes Ma'am!!! (this is fun to watch)


I love, love, love

my husband!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(it's not the first diamond he's given me, but it's the most beautiful for sure)



From Kat

LET'S TALK POTTY

Let's talk potty. But no potty words. In the last couple of days, I've seen two things that made me giggle out loud.

I pulled up to a red light and this truck was right beside me. Of course, my camera was right there in my purse on the front seat, so I just had to snap a photo. Take a moment and click on the photo to read everything. Too funny! The best line ~ "#1 in the #2 business". Can you imagine riding around in this? Can you imagine this being your JOB?!

There's new houses being built in our neighborhood. It makes me giggle when I see these...Johnny By The Sea....lol !!!

~~~~~~

Enough of stinky funny talk...let's talk yummy now. George and I had a full day of meetings and errands to run and I also had an afternoon eye doctor appointment, so I put a turkey breast in my crock pot early this morning before we left. There's just nothing like walking in the door in the afternoon and being greeted by the wonderful aroma of dinner cooking. I made "real" mashed potatoes, gravy, sliced tomatoes and turkey. Yum oh!

~~~~~

Since our day was so busy, we ended up not doing one single bit of exercise. No tennis or golf. No exercise classes or workout. No bike riding or walking. It seems weird, but a day of rest is good for the body.

~~~~~

One of our errands today turned out to be an appointment at the jewelers. George surprised me with the most gorgeous diamond ring "just because". I was thrilled beyond words with what he picked out. 30 years of marriage and he can still surprise me.



From Kat

I DIDN'T MAKE THIS UP!

Anti Monkey Butt

With Calamine Powder
Sweat Absorber and Friction Fighter
Anti Monkey Butt® Powder is specially formulated to absorb sweat and minimize frictional skin discomfort. Helps to keep you dry and comfortable. Ideal for butt busting activities such as motorcycling, bicycling, horseback riding, truck driving, hiking, hockey, football, and baseball.
Indoors or outdoors, work or play, or on occasions when you sit on your butt all day. Don't let your buns get red. Use Anti Monkey Butt ® Powder instead!

~~~~~~

When I saw this, I couldn't help butt but laugh.....and then wonder...does it really work?

From Kat

Cheerfulness

Cheerfulness removes the rust from the mind, lubricates our inward machinery, and enables us to do our work with fewer creaks and groans. If people were universally cheerful, probably there wouldn't be half the quarreling or a tenth part of the wickedness there is. Cheerfulness, too, promotes health and immortality. Cheerful people live longest here on earth, afterward in our hearts.
~Anonymous~

I'm a pretty cheerful person most of the time. I wake up in a good mood and start my day off happy. Thank goodness George is the same way. It seems the older I get, the harder it is for me to be around people who are grumps, complainers, gloom and doomers, whiners...whatever you want to call them. Every single one of us has so much to be thankful for. I always like to concentrate on the good and not the bad. How about you?

This is just one of the reasons I don't watch much TV!
~~~~~~

I wish for you a cheerful day!








Hugs!
Kat

SCHWARZENEGGER, I'M NOT!

I haven't mentioned it lately, but we're still riding our bikes every single day...usually between 12 and 22 miles, depending on what else we're up to. Like tennis, golf, exercise classes, laundry, doctors appts., etc. Speaking of classes...I've decided not to do the Zumba class anymore although I LOVED IT. It's sooo much fun. I love the music, the dance moves, the instructors, etc. But since I broke my leg a few years ago, I worry too much about all that jumping around. If I'm gonna break it again, I'd rather do it playing tennis. (Fingers crossed that it won't EVER happen again.) I'm doing other exercise classes though and loving them, especially the ones where we use the exercise balls. I don't think I've lost a pound, but my clothes are fitting better. And y'all...something happened when our daughter was here about 10 days ago that I never thought would. She said three little words I never ever ever thought I'd hear... As soon as she got out of her car and I ran to hug her, she said "Mom, you're buffed!".

Me...buffed? Yeah, right! Talk about an exaggeration! But it did make me feel good that she could tell a difference, so I'll keep plugging along.



I just want to "bee" healthy! (lol)









Hugs!
Kat

"WHALE" LOOK AT THIS!

***Warning...there is a couple of ugly words in this video so you might want to turn off the volume if little ears are nearby.***




Last month a whale was spotted right off the beaches of Destin. The buildings in the background are on "our beach" just west of Sandestin Resort where we live. This is an awesome amateur video of it. I realize that there is a curse word in it (I think the person taping this was amazed that there was a whale here), but turn down your speakers – the video is pretty amazing! You can see how close to the beaches the whale really was! Looks like our new visitor has discovered "paradise" and the prettiest white sand beaches in the world.

Enjoy!







Hugs!
Kat

FIRST DAY OF SUMMER 2008

It's the first day of Summer!!!

What did you do today? We did what we haven't done enough of this year...we grabbed our things and headed to the beach. We had lunch at The Beach Club, took a long walk down the beach, relaxed in our chairs and read our books. Ah....heaven!

Here's the view from the boardwalk. Just look at that gorgeous water and our sugar white sand.

It's the first day of Summer and, just like every year, it seems we have so many gorgeous Summer days ahead of us. Plenty of lazy days to enjoy in the sun. We've learned to treasure every day, actually every second, 'cause it passes very quickly.

~~~~~~~

Tonight our friends Jack and Linda came over and we rode around with Miss Daisy on the golf cart to watch the sunset on the bay and then we went to the village for some barbecue. What a gorgeous night!

Miss Daisy is sporting her new baseball type cap with a daisy on the top. Isn't she a cutie pie?! She loves wearing scarves and hats. Too funny!

Another beautiful day in "paradise".

Welcome Summer!





Hugs!
Kat