Catching up....Again!

 It's hard to keep up with everything these days and I truly miss visiting with all my blogging friends. I'm hoping to have a nice afternoon someday soon to check in on everyone and see what you're up to. I have some blog readers that I keep up with the old fashioned way - letters and notes.

Alas, I've even neglected them for the last several months.

Remember my friend, Grant?

My new tech guy?

I made up a batch of chocolate cookies on Thursday and divided it between Grant and my Bell grands.

Walked his down that afternoon and then Granddad and I did school pick up on Friday.

I'm always blown away when I see how these beautiful people have grown up on me!!

Be still, my heart!

It's always a blessing to be able to spend some time with them.

Harrison and Trystan had hockey things so it was nice to have some time with these two all by themselves. We went to Racetrack for yogurt as we used to do when they were younger.

Traditions live on!

By the time we got to their house, Amber and Mike and Trystan were home.

Harrison stayed at a fellow hockey friend as he had a very early morning hockey event the next morning.

Amber had ordered pizza and we spent an hour or two together visiting and watching a program - The Rookie! It's one of our favorites and they are just getting into it.

We shopped Walmart before coming home - in the dark - but we made it!

Daylight savings time is coming and that will allow us to stay out later!

I love how Louis Dean loves his music.

And his projects.

He is a happy man and stays busy doing this and that and so that makes me happy!

Dean and Sherry came in on Friday to spend the night as Dean had a Karate event on Saturday.

I didn't get a pic of my son, Jesse, but he arrived early on Saturday morning just as Dean and Sherry were leaving. I'm always glad when my children get to see each other.

Hector delivered the materials for the new deck where the plumbers had dug up late on Saturday afternoon.

We started with stones I already had but it was ugly. Then Hector said, "Linda, I have a better idea."

And so he did!! So, instead of an uneven stone patio, we decided on a nice flat deck!

Saturday night was our movie date with Ilene.

I made charcuterie board.....

And it was delicious!

Our featured film and it was a good one.

Hector and Bruno worked all of Sunday and by day's end, I had a nice new deck - all done, sealed and stained! Louis Dean gave it a big thumbs up!

Monday was Texas Independence Day!!

I drank my coffee from a Texas cup in celebration!

In other news....it is exciting to celebrate Trystan and her Dallas Stars Elite team!!

Love this photo of the Bell girls, their parents and Uncle Ben!!

Guess who's in Texas??

Summer came to visit us on Monday and we had such a good time!

She brought Chinese food from Trader Joes and it was so good!

It was a good visit and I was so happy to be together again.

She and I watched two new programs on Paramount+...Marshalls and one other that I can't remember.

She's planning on coming back on Sunday and I am looking forward to another visit!

Being a mother is such a blessing.....and I am grateful to be one.

Monday morning our AC wasn't cooling so I called the guy Stephanie uses and he was out that very afternoon and had put in a new compressor in no time.

Win! WIN!!! It's all in who you know and all praise goes to God who supplies my every need - sometimes before I'm even aware that I have one.

We voted early and here is Amber and Mike after they voted on Tuesday.

I met up with Brenda for a short one thrift shop outing.....

A nice rug for outside the kitchen French doors.

Classy tea towels and a set of beautiful new Christmas pillow covers, a new candle and buffalo plaid cloth, a lovely pumpkin pitcher and a bouquet of white flowers that I have plans to use in a wreath in the living room.

Tuesday night supper!

Louis Dean worked hard that day putting the ponds back in by the new deck.

Today Louis Dean moved the bench from the driveway to the new deck....

While he did that, I sat in my cozy corner of the front porch for my quiet time and counted just a few of the many blessings God has showered upon me.

I'm so blessed that Louis Dean can still do things and stay active.

He is such a blessing to me and I am so honored to be his wife.

He is 89 and we have been married for 20 years.

This year he will be 90 and when we first married, I asked God for 25 years.

God does give us the desires of our hearts.....