Floating along...

...or it seems as if we are.

We experienced on Feb 11th another episode of water rolling under the foundation and thru the slab cracks into our sunken den. This happened 4 years ago, and we were able to control the water with placement of a compound to the cracks where water entered and salvage our carpet. This time the carpet was wet almost halfway of the room. 

I was out of town for a few days and returned home the following day after Glenn's call to me. More rain was expected the night I returned, and it did come. We did our best to keep the water vacuumed up. 

During the night as I woke up several times to check on the situation, I could catch faint smells of wet carpet. So the next morning I told Glenn that I felt the carpet needed to be taken totally out of the house. 

I called my brother-in-law (Mike) Wednesday morning after Glenn left for work and asked for his help if he was available. He came over, and we removed all the carpet from the den. Whew!!!...now that's some heavy carpet!!! He left soon after, and I made sure all the water was up from the floor.

Later that day we met with a general contractor at the house for him to offer a suggestion. His crew came the next morning and therma-sealed the entire perimeter of the den. Now we wait 5-7 days and seal the room again. We wait even more because another torrential rain is headed our way.

It's Wednesday, February 20th, and the room is now twice-sealed. Rain began Friday evening and around 10pm Garrett noticed a small crack leaking water that was not sealed adequately. As we were mixing leftover compound from our first experience, we also found 2 other small cracks that we repaired as well.

With 2 more spot checks in the early hours of the next day and not finding any more rain coming in, we slept until morning...very thankful for God's strength & love during this trying time.

Today we listen to the rain and watch our floor for any incoming water. There is none. Thank you God for such a small blessing to calm our nerves. I say small because we are so blessed to have such a little issue compared to others in our area who are suffering extreme water in their homes as well as other issues.

We still seek God's favor with each rain that comes our way.

28 Vinings Cottage

For some time now eight girlfriends have been spending time together with lunches and whatever we can get into. So on Sunday, February 10th after church seven of the girlfriends (one needed to be home) left town for a few days of fun, fellowship & food. We were all so excited! 

We gathered together at 1:30 PM, packed our vehicles with luggage, snacks/drinks, games, and whatever else each of us took, had prayer and were on our way. 

We rented a cottage in the

Magnolia By The Sea neighborhood 

in Secrest, Florida. It was so adorable. 

After unpacking, we went 

in search of a grocery store and a place to eat. 

But first, we must make a "Memory Picture".

Our choice for the evening was Pizza By The Sea. 

The crust on the pizza was so-o-o-o-o good. 

Salads for some and drinks to top off our meal.

Left was only a "?". 

Back at the cottage we all settled into our "jammies"

for some fun and games. We began first with a short

"Know Your Girlfriends" game. It was fun to learn

favorite colors, foods, and interests.

We all thought we knew each other well!

Next was another short game, "Bucket List", where we each placed a tally mark on a sheet of paper for each question that we answered with a "yes". Questions such as "Have you ever skipped school?, Have you ever zip-lined? and Have you ever laughed until some type of liquid came out of your nose or elsewhere?" Now this was interesting.

BTW...love her "Monk-Monk" socks!

Our night just continued on...fARklE!!!!!!!

It was around 1:45/2:00 AM 

before the final 3 went to bed Sunday night.

MONDAY...........

On with the story.......Our day began, and we were ready to begin an adventure. One car headed to find Gaffrey's (It really was JusTin, and I was in this car.), and another car headed towards Pier Park. Not finding Gaffrey's (and we actually saw JusTin's), we did stop at a garden shop to view the plants.

(Sometime around this moment, I received a phone call 

from Glenn informing me that our home

 had received water in the den...again. 

It happened 4 years ago, and 

we thought the problem was solved. 

I began to agonize about what to do and

 finally came to the conclusion that 

I would go home on Tuesday...

riding back with Lisa 

who was returning for a meeting that evening.)

PHONE CALL..."We're ready to eat."  So we left and traveled to Pier Park and met the other girls at Logan's for lunch. I spoke with the girls we met and shared my plan with them. Of course, I began to get tears in my eyes. My girlfriends were so-o-o-o loving to me.They are true friends, and I love each one of them.

With bellies full we went to the front 

of Pier Park for a little shopping. 

We entered a wonderful little shop, Peace Frogs, and 

the music took me way back...to "Happy Groovin".  

I love Motown music. 

We were the only ones in the store at the time. 

I started dancing as well as some of the other girls.

Two of us were left in the store 

when a "yuck" song came on.

Mel:  "If I was working here, I'd change that song." 

Young Girl: "What song would you like?" 

Mel: "Let me see you playlist." I chose 

"Love Shack".....another fav.

And then the "Happy Groove" began all over again. 

Man I love music!!!

Expecting rain we all got back into our vehicles and headed back to the cottage with a CVS stop. When the car group that I was in left CVS, it began to rain. Thankfully, it was not a hard rain.

Back at the cottage we all raided the food and

 had a dinner of "whatever". 

Tonight we would play Phase Ten. 

You will never quess who won Phase Ten!!!

Can you believe she won AGAIN???

Our game was almost over.

When we finished the game, 

some of us were still "wound-up". 

Glenda got her Ipad out, and here are the results.

I think we are in desperate need of sleep!

TUESDAY.......

Up and ready for some breakfast. 

Joy made sausage and biscuits that were so good. Yum!!!

We all got dressed for a day out shopping. What a perfect time for a group shot!

Lisa and I packed our things 

so that we could leave 

from wherever we were with everyone.  

Our two vehicles headed towards Seaside.

View from our car.

Lisa parked her car, and she and I climbed into Glo's car. We then took a little tour of the Seaside homes before shopping. While shopping at Seaside, we found JusTin's second art gallery. Remember three of us were looking for his place on 30A Monday and never found it. Of course, we were looking for Gaffrey's. His gallery was truly an awesome place. 

More pictures while at Seaside.

After a couple of hours together, 

Lisa and I hugged everyone and waved goodbye. 

We headed back to Dothan.

I know without a doubt that the remaining girls had a wonderful evening together.

I believe they watched "Mamma Mia", and

I know that there was some singing and dancing in the cottage.

Sweet, sweet friends and I love them dearly.

Can't wait for our next trip!

EXTRA RANDOM PICS

I am in love with the little green frog with orange eyes.

Gima (Ji-mae)  & Rami (Rae-mi)

(long i and a sound)

February 8th 

we celebrated Mike's birthday.

Five couples enjoyed a limo ride

to Old Mill for a delicious dinner.

It was so much fun. 

Lots of laughter!!!

Glad to be HOME...but missing home.

Two weeks is a long time to be away from HOME & family. Even though I was at "home" with my mother, my HOME was far away.

Family Home

Mom was 85 the 27th of January, and I traveled home to spend some time with her.

  

The day after I arrived my sister, mother, and I had lunch at Keenagers. Mother was recognized for her January birthday. Lunch was so good, and a few games of Bingo was enjoyable.

Friday nights my sister & brother & their spouses get together with mother, and either go out to eat or eat at mom's with home-cooking or take-out. I prepared a meal for all of us the first Friday I was there of ham, crack potatoes, corn on the cob, peas, and yeast rolls. Chocolate layer cake was just perfect for our "sweet tooth".

Mother knows how organization drives me so she made some plans with me prior to my visit. Her upstairs "Christmas Room" needed organizing. She and I began by going through every box in the room. There were a few surprises of "Forgot that!", Wondered where that was!", and "What is That!!!". It was a lot of fun for me because this is what I really enjoy doing. YAY!!!

Now my mind was spinning away with......."Why stop at the Christmas Room?". So guess what? You're right...I continued straightening, cleaning, and organizing the whole upstairs. Items were given to family members and sent away to others or Habitat for Humanity. It took several mornings to complete this task but with a few stops to include a hair appointment, grocery visits, potty breaks and lunches, it was quickly over.  

My Bville Sundays at Shiloh United Methodist church are where I always enjoy visiting and worshiping with sweet, sweet people. My brother-in-law pastors Shiloh and another small country church, Smyrna.

Our travels took us.....

• to Columbia, SC for a visit with cousins & their dad. Two aunts joined us for he day. The photo is a picture of us. Angela's birthday was this day. Cousin Jeannie provided a delicious lunch.

• to Charleston, SC for a doctor's appointment for mother. Cousin Nancy & her daughter & daughter-in-law provided a nice lunch for us before we headed to the doctor's office. As we left Charleston, we headed...
• to Bowman, SC for a visit with Cousin Patsy. As we traveled back to Bville, we decided 
• to stop off in Florence, SC for a trip to Hammerick's & some dinner. The Friday night crowd was everywhere. A stop at Longhorns would be an hour wait and another stop at Lizard's Thicket would be approximately 20-30 minute wait. We were hungry to the point of "not being hungry". It was 8 pm. We ate at Hardee's, and I believe that was the best "Bacon Thickburger" I had eaten. 
• It was after 9PM when we finally arrived in Bville very, very tired.
• to Rockingham, NC with my sister for my "Gotta Go" trip to Ollie's.

From our talks to individual quietness or busyness to lounging every day was threaded onto my heart. I do enjoy going back home but I LOVE my HOME!

I can't believe

I left my camera

at HOME for

my trip home.

(Photos from personal gallery & TSM)