What Summer Is All About

I have been out of the loop for the past week. My sister and her family are here visiting from California. My niece, Makayle, is eleven and half and loves to come to Georgia. We also have a another niece, Skylar who is also eleven and half. They are one month apart in age. Since birth they have been like sisters. Neither one has a sister and so it works for them. They are such a joy to have around. I have watched them grow with love in my heart. Both of them are starting middles school in the fall. This summer we have been to Lake Jackson and tubed behind a boat, made bead bracelets and flip flops with different colored fabric. They have spent the last five days at my house. They are now rock stars after mastering X-Box guitar hero. We went last night to eat all you can eat crab legs. The girls were in heaven. Mckayla ate 6 servings and wanted more. Uncle Freddy was ready to go and promised ice creams. If was hard for Mc to leave, she wanted more. Fred and I went to high school with the man who owns the restaurant. He kept bringing her more servings. I told him next time I would drop Mc off an hour or two before us to eat. Lindsey said bring her and he would feed her. Any way the girls have had a great time and my house is awful quite tonight. I needed a break but already miss them. Click here for some summer fun with two 11 year old. It will to bring a smile to your heart.

Handy Women's Hint #4

Sorry guys, I have been on the other side of town all day. I left the house at 8:30 and returned at 7:30. I will post the Handy Women's hint tomorrow. Thanks, Miss Priss

To Delicate to Fly

A dragonfly is a type of insect belonging to the order Odonata. It is characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, and an elongated body. The adults can be differentiated by the fact that the wings of most dragonflies are held away from, and perpendicular to, the body when at rest.
Dragonflies typically eat mosquitoes, and other small insects like flies, bees, and butterflies. They are therefore valued as predators, since they help control populations of harmful insects. Dragonflies are usually found around lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands because their larvae, known as "nymphs", are aquatic. Adult dragonflies do not bite or sting humans, though nymphs are capable of delivering a painful (though otherwise harmless) bite.
Dragon Flies are such amazing little creatures to me. If you start at their head with their big bulging eyes, they are kinda ugly. Their eyes are not portioned to their body.
There body is next. It can be quit interesting. It is kinda furry and normally has an interesting pattern. The body is really interesting to look at.
Their tails can come in an assortment of colors. I seem to have the blue ones around my pond or the clear/blue ones.
Legs are long and skinny, not much to look at. I do wish mine were a little skinnier.
Their wings are the best part. They look like lace. It seems like the breeze would just go through them. When the sun shines on their wings they turn a gold color. I really think that they are the most beautiful part of the little bug called a Dragon Fly.

July Photo Contest Entry

SUNSET IN PARADISE

RED CATEGORY

JULY 17,2008

It was really hard to pick just one picture for the red category of this photo contest. Sunsets in Shell Point are so special to me. I share them with the moon rising in back of me, the sea and good friends. I love sunsets due to the wonderful surroundings.

Pet Peeves

Pet Peeves? Do you have any? I have a few and one of them is the expiration date on products, especially food items. This week I was so lucky to bring home from the grocery store tiny little moths that live on boxes. Summer is the prime time for them and I know better. Anyway they thought they would take up residence in my pantry. WRONG! These uninvitied guest did prompt me to empty my pantry, throw away out of date items and wipe everything off.

Some the problems of finding and reading expiration dates. None of them are in the same place, some are unreadable and some items do not have one at all. Are these items good forever? Spices are the worst to look at. Please take a trip through my pantry and one of my pet peeves. Click here for the trip.

Let me know, what is one of your pet peeves? I say one because I do have many.

Handy Woman Hints #3

21

MONEY AND ENERGY SAVING IDEAS THAT DON'T COST A DIME

1 Lower the indoor temperature a few degrees in winter. Set it even lower at night and a full 10 degrees when you're on vacation. You'll save 2% per degree.

2 Close the fireplace damper when the fireplace isn't in use. If it's never used, seal the flue with a plastic bag stuffed with insulation.

3 Open shades and blinds to let in sunlight during the day and close them to reduce heat loss at night. For cooling, reverse.

4 Close off unused rooms and lower the temperatures by adjusting the registers and dampers. You'll save 50.oo a year.

5 Clean your furnace's blower fan with a soft brush and vacuum cleaner.

6 Turn off lights not in use. Reduce bulb wattage and use dimmers when you can.

7 Ventilate and cool your home with window or whole house fans during the cooler hours of the day.

8 Fill clothes washers and dishwashers for more efficient energy use, rather than half full.

9 Skip the dishwasher's drying cycle and cut the energy use by half.

10 Wash clothes in cool rather than hot water.

11 Clean clothes washer and dryer lint screens after every use.

12 Clean refrigerator coils with a soft brush annually, or more often if you have pets that shed.

13 Run major appliances late in the evening or early in the morning when electric loads are less (off peak).

14 Flush your garbage disposer with cold water rather than hot. Grease solidifies in cold water and will wash away.

15 Cook more efficiently using microwaves, slow cookers and pressure cookers.

16 Turn off room air conditioners when you leave for an hour or more. You can quickly cool the room later.

17 Recycle. Reuse. Take your bike instead of your car.

18 In warm weather, set the thermostat higher (75-78 degrees) and rely more on ceiling and table fans for cooling, even when the air conditioner is running.

19 Reduce humidity in bathrooms and kitchens with exhaust fans.

20 Consider higher-efficiency appliances when purchasing new refrigerators, freezers and dishwashers. They will pay for the highest cost.

21 Lower hot water heaters setting to 120 degrees for both energy savings and safety.

Side note: I used a different picture last week with little success. I two comments on that guy. Today and in the future I will use the "Mascot". I is great for the eyes.

Technology

Can you guess the content of this blog? You got it. We are the proud owners of a HD TV with all the bells and whistles. Not only do we have the TV but we also had to have surround sound. Now I say, We, meaning my husband.

My only requests was that I did not want huge speakers hanging all over the walls. That requests was granted. But we did fly an audio man in from Tallahassee to install the new audio system for the backyard and for the den. The TV is nice the sound is great, but! The sound is now so realistic that it scares my little cocker spaniel, Dixie. But what can I say, my husband is in heaven.

I can really thank God for all of this new technology. Why? Our old TV was cook by a lighting storm. Thank You Lord. Over the week-end, I saw a new twist on this saying.

"Whoever dies with the most toys is still dead!".
Just love it. Have a great Tuesday.

Sunset Over the Marsh

The people of Shell Point, Fl. are so lucky to have the best of all worlds. We get to enjoy the ocean and the many wonders that it offers. There is also the "Marsh". The marsh is home to all kinds of wild life, from flying, crawling, swimming, hopping and slimy things. Last night I decided to view the sunset from the marsh instead of the beach. I was not disappointed. I hope you will enjoy the sunset with me. Watch how the sun was hidden behind the clouds at first and how it started to fall. The sky can change colors so fast it is amazing. Notice how the sky went from orange, to pink. At the end of the sunset the sky turned back to blue. While the sun absorbed the color. Look at the color of the sun. Click here to see my sunset.

After watching my sunset, go outside tonight and enjoy the sunset in your own backyard. They are just as beautiful. Each night is a different light show.

Enjoy

Handy Woman's Hint 2

10 Tips to Save $$$$$$ on Gas

1.) Save $900 by keeping your tires at the right pressure.

2.) Change spark plugs before they are due.

3.) Save $300 by changing your air filter early and often.

4.) Save $140 by keeping your car aligned.

5.) Brake drag can really sink your mileage.

6.) Replace a failing thermostat. New thermostats cost around $10.00.

7.) Lead foot = Light wallet

8.) Replace a broken or missing spoiler.

9.) Speed kills your gas mileage and your wallet.

10.) Replace your oxygen sensor(s) before the light goes on.

Hope some of the hints will help you get better gas mileage and save money.