GOODBYE BERRYDALE AND FRIENDS

Several of the RVers went fishing the other day and brought home a large mess of fish. Allan sent me over to watch and learn how to clean them. This is not a job I would want to do. I probably could if I was hungry and all the grocery stores had closed down.

Sunday most of the group drove to Robertsdale, Al. to attend church where our group worked in 2009. We rarely get to see the finished project so this was a treat.

From 2011-02-21

From 2011-02-21

From 2011-02-21

From 2011-02-21

After church we went out to eat as a group at "Magnolia Blossom Restaurant". Good food, at a good price.

We left the group and traveled to Summerdale to visit our friends, Darrell and Judy at Rainbow Plantation. If you will remember, they visited us in Berrydale, Florida just a few weeks ago. Again, we failed to get pictures of them. We enjoyed our visit sitting outside in the sun. The weather has finally improved enough to call it Florida weather. Not sure if anyone heard about our small earthquake off the coast of Alabama, but Darrell and Judy felt it (3.5). Allan and I did not but we are further inland and in Florida. Our paths have crossed several times and we hope to see them again soon. Thanks for a good time and that cranberry bread.

From there we headed for Orange Beach. I wanted to smell the ocean breeze and walk in the sand. We arrived near sunset, a very good time.

From 2011-02-21

From 2011-02-21

From 2011-02-21

From 2011-02-21

Someone had been busy making all kinds of sand sculptures. Did not see any tar balls, but it has been reported that the oil is sitting on the bottom of the ocean. That can't be good. There were quite a few people staying in the area and spring break is not far off. This should help the economy.

From 2011-02-21

I added another picture of "Little Bit" drinking water near our rig. I think a number of people here are feeding her including me. Wish we could take her with us, but we have a cat and limited space.

From 2011-02-21

Today was moving day so I had taken some pictures of what the guys were working on yesterday.

From 2011-02-23

From 2011-02-23

From 2011-02-23

From 2011-02-23

From 2011-02-23

We left Berrydale around 10:00 after saying goodbyes and arrived in Calera, Al. at the Suncoast RV Sales and Service around 2:15. You can park here with full hookups free for one night. We did some shopping and had a great meal at Ragtime Restaurant, one of our favorites. We also stopped by to see Ron and Pam who are long time friends from church. Their dog had puppies and they are all sold except for one which sounds like they may keep. She was so sweet.

From 2011-02-23

Will be heading for Tennessee tomorrow. The weather looks like rain and storms the rest of the week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLAN

I have included a picture of our lake front property, actually a drainage ditch.

From 2011-02-17

This is a picture of the little dog that has found a place where there are a lot of people who will give it attention. She comes everyday. We feel she has a home near by and seems well fed, although her collar is too tight and needs her toenails trimmed. She is so friendly. The dog has the coloring of a doberman, but looks like a chihuahua.

From 2011-02-17

Here is a picture of one of our RVer's kitty in the window.

From 2011-02-17

This is a picture of the growing triplets.

From 2011-02-18

To our surprise when we walked down to check them out, we found that two other goats had babies. One had twins and the other one had just one. They are so neat to watch.

From 2011-02-18

From 2011-02-18

These two mothers seemed to stay very close to their babies unlike the mother with triplets. Maybe she just has to get away since there are so many of them. On our way back to the church a German shepherd followed us.

From 2011-02-18

Today there were two more dogs at the church. There must be a neon sign out that only animals can see.
The church had a Valentine Party and invited all the RVers. We had a lot of fun. They played the Newlywed Game which was hilarious.

From 2011-02-17

Allan celebrated his birthday on Wednesday. I won't tell you how old he is, but he is eligible for Medicare. We went out at his request to the Red Barn for ribs on Thursday. The group went with us. In the last week we have had quite a few birthdays in the group.

From 2011-02-18

Time is coming to a close for us here in Berrydale. We plan to leave next Wednesday for Tennessee so that I can experience my Christmas present. Details to follow.

TRIP TO PENSACOLA

Allan and Ray have gotten quite a bit of tile work done this week. They will probably have to wait until the painting is completed before getting into the larger rooms. I think the painting is complete on the doors and trim and they have started the walls. I did not go through the whole building on Friday, but some of the halls and foyer looked finished. The church people hope to be in by Easter and looks like that might happen. We won't see the finished project as we plan to leave on the 23rd of this month.

Allan and I drove into Pensacola to meet with Jim and Lynne Parker, old friends from the Alabaster, Al. area who now live in Magnolia Springs, Al. We had lunch at Olive Garden. Yummy.

While we were in Pensacola, we visited Barnes and Noble. They are having a class on the Nook today so we plan to drive back in for that. The rest of the day should find us working on the RV. It is a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Should be in the low 70s. Probably the best day we have had here in Florida as far as weather goes.

Allan and I have started Weight Watchers. Let the pounds melt off!!!!!! I have found an exercise program in the afternoon on a Christian channel. Tone me up baby! While I am doing floor exercises, Katie comes down on the floor with me. She does her exercises, too. I guess she wants to keep her girly figure.

MEN ARE HARD AT WORK

Allan has been working on the farm business and I have been working on my genealogy research in our spare time.

Got a picture of the baby goats. They sure are growing. Several of us walked down to see if the other goat had her babies. Not yet, but she sure looks ready. We are going to have a cold night tonight. Hope she doesn't have them tonight. We actually are suppose to get in the upper 60's this weekend.

From 2011-02-09

I got some pictures of the guys working this morning. Allan is working on floor tile.

From 2011-02-09

There is still lots to do, but they have completed so much since we first came to Berrydale. We have about 17 men working. Bob left on Monday to drive to Indiana for his chemo treatment. We wish him well and safe travels.

From 2011-02-09

From 2011-02-09

WEATHER IS THE TOPIC

We had strong blowing wind and rain several days ago. All the RVers were wondering if we were going to be blown over. God kept us safe. The temperatures dropped. We have had more rain and we have about 1-3 inches of rain around all the RV's.

On Thursday several of us ladies drove into Milton to do some shopping. I found a net cover up and an L L Bean jacket for a total of $10. I am a happy shopper. Later we met the guys for supper at Ryan's Steak House.

Today several of us did clean up duty at the church. Because the guys are painting we have been limited in sweeping due to dust. Allan and I went into Milton today to do our weekly shopping. This weekend the sun is suppose to be out and warm up to 50 on Saturday and 60 on Sunday. We hope to get some things done around here.

THE TALE OF THE WOODEN BOWL

One month down and 11 more to go. And you ask "How many days until Christmas?" Time is flying.

I ran across this story in "Wealth to Last" by Ron Blue and Larry Burkett. Thought I would share it.

A FRAIL, OLD MAN WENT TO LIVE WITH HIS SON, DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, AND FOUR-YEAR-OLD GRANDSON.
THE OLD MAN'S HANDS TREMBLED, HIS EYESIGHT BLURRED, AND HIS STEP FALTERED. DURING THE NIGHTLY FAMILY DINNER TOGETHER, THE ELDERLY GRANDFATHER'S SHAKY HANDS AND FAILING SIGHT MADE EATING DIFFICULT. PEAS ROLLED OFF HIS SPOON ONTO THE FLOOR. WHEN HE TRIED TO GRASP THE GLASS, MILK SPILLED ON THE TABLECLOTH.

THE SON AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAW BECAME IRRITATED WITH THE REGULAR MESSES. "WE MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT GRANDFATHER", SAID THE SON. "I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF HIS SPILLED MILK, NOISY EATING, AND FOOD ON THE FLOOR."

THE HUSBAND AND WIFE DECIDED TO SET A SMALL TABLE IN THE CORNER. THERE, GRANDFATHER ATE ALONE WHILE THE REST OF THE FAMILY ENJOYED DINNER AT THE TABLE. SINCE GRANDFATHER HAD BROKEN A DISH OR TWO, HIS FOOD WAS SERVED IN A WOODEN BOWL.

WHEN THE FAMILY GLANCED IN GRANDFATHER'S DIRECTION, SOMETIMES HE HAD A TEAR IN HIS EYES AS HE SAT ALONE. STILL THE ONLY WORDS THE COUPLE HAD FOR HIM WERE SHARP ADMONITIONS WHEN HE DROPPED A FORK OR SPILLED FOOD. THE FOUR-YEAR-OLD WATCHED IT ALL IN SILENCE.

ONE EVENING, BEFORE SUPPER, THE FATHER NOTICED HIS SON PLAYING WITH WOOD SCRAPS ON THE FLOOR. HE ASKED THE CHILD SWEETLY, "WHAT ARE YOU MAKING?"

JUST AS SWEETLY, THE BOY RESPONDED, "OH, I AM MAKING A LITTLE BOWL FOR YOU AND MAMA TO EAT YOUR FOOD IN WHEN I GROW UP."

THE LITTLE BOY SMILED AND WENT BACK TO WORK.

THE WORDS SO STRUCK THE PARENTS THAT THEY WERE SPEECHLESS. THEN TEARS STARTED TO STREAM DOWN THEIR CHEEKS. THOUGH NO WORDS WERE SPOKEN, BOTH KNEW WHAT MUST BE DONE. THAT EVENING, THE HUSBAND TOOK GRANDFATHER'S HAND AND GENTLY LED HIM BACK TO THE FAMILY TABLE.

FOR THE REMAINDER OF HIS DAYS, HE HAD EVERY MEAL WITH THE FAMILY. FOR SOME REASON, NEITHER HUSBAND NOR WIFE SEEMED TO CARE ANY LONGER WHEN A FORK WAS DROPPED, MILK WAS SPILLED, OR THE TABLECLOTH WAS SOILED.

Tissue please!