I've picked up the proverbial pen and paper opened up the lap top to write numerous times, but haven't been able to put words to paper keyboard. There are so many things I want to share with you. None of them are anything special as far as grand doings, just the extraordinary-so-very-ordinary real life stuff you share with friends when you get together to catch up.

I can't remember a time when we've had a busier summer; it's mostly work -- not fun stuff. Although we have done a few fun things here and there.

Oh goodness, I'll just be real honest: my life is crazy! Most of the time I don't know whether I'm coming or going. I'm overwhelmed and I'm so very weary of it.  George feels the same way.  George and I are both work-a-holic type A people (imagine how fun that is ; ) and while it's good to be busy, too much work feels like a stranglehold. We are actively trying to remedy the work situation for me so I can have more time at home and still maintain health insurance coverage. We aren't sure about George's workload. He doesn't feel God is leading him to hire help so he's going to continue as he is for the time being. Please pray for us to have wisdom in managing our work situations and businesses so that we have opportunity to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet and each other's company without being to tired.

One thing I've always looked forward to is sharing with you here at Farm Home Life. That has fallen by the wayside as my free time has declined. So often things come to mind I would love to share with you all, but I choose to pull up a chair and have a glass of lemonade or tea with George instead. Somehow I knew you would understand. Thank you.

So, what have I been up to besides working?

• I've jumped outside my comfort zone and learned how to drive the garden tractor and cut the grass.  Now that was interesting! Look for a post on this. 

• I have not put away the Christmas Village -- on purpose. On one wall I have a festive Independence Day calendar page and the Christmas Village. Quite a juxtaposition. The little Christmas Village makes me smile every time I look at it. I've always thought people that left up Christmas decorations 6 months after Christmas were either lazy or nuts. Maybe both. Now I realize it just might be because they like the decorations.  

• We've planted quite a few more trees --- before I started mowing. We will stop planting stuff now that I mow.

• Our little beagle, Barney was recently diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure, which is the fancy way of saying he isn't long for this world. We knew it was coming, he turned 12 this summer and has been such a wonderful little friend all these years. We aren't sure how long he has; right now he still seems pretty happy, eats well, wags his tail and has some interest in chasing and sniffing. We are going to miss that little fella!

• We went to the races -- it was waaay hot, but we had a great time. One of the perks of it being so hot was there weren't so many people, which translates into an easier time leaving the place, more space to spread out in the bleachers and shorter restroom lines. All pluses in my book.

• Have I mentioned it is HOT here? My family in San Antonio probably thinks I'm a whiny baby when I exclaim it was 97 degrees today. After all, it was about 97 when I was there in April. Well... it is HOT to us. To us northerners 97 is as uncomfortable as say -10 is to you southerners in January. Speaking of that, one of George's customers just called as I'm typing this.  He called about his FURNACE.  Yes, and you won't be needing that until October, right?

It's time to sign off for tonight, but I'll be back.

Take Care,
Trixie