Author: Wanda

I am a Catholic widow, mother, grandmother, friend and according to my kids just a little bit crazy. My faith is paramount in my life. Spending time with my family, especially my four grandchildren is one of my most treasured blessings. I love Redskins football, Phillies baseball, NASCAR, quilting, genealogy, and am a bibliophile and struggling blogger.

Still In Orlando!

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We are still in Orlando at my friend Dottie’s.  We have had a wonderful time playing cards.  For the first time in over 40 years I have won more than one game in any session we have played this game.  I have won 9 games!!!  When I spoke to my mother in law and sister in law they could not believe it This is my in laws favorite card game and after introducing it to our friends this is all we play.  We were calling it the New Game, but I have been told it is called 3-13.  What ever it is called, we love to play it.

Dottie works at Disney Animal Kingdom.  Needless to say we have done some shopping at her employee center.  The baby is in for some cute Christmas presents.  My son just loves Disney.

On Tuesday May 17th  Dottie and I spent the day at Animal Kingdom.  We had a wonderful time.  We rode the Everest roller coaster three times in a row.  What a blast!  I got some good shots of the animals on the safari ride.  Which, by the way that’s why we went to the park.  We couldn’t resist some of the other fun things to do.  Just like when we were in our teens.  We have been friends for almost 50 years. Wow! That makes me an old girl then huh?  We met in our junior year of high school.  I am blessed to have such a good friend.

Isn’t this guy awesome?

On Thursday May 12th  we took a river dinner cruise on a paddle boat up the St. Johns River.  The scenery was beautiful and the river was so calm.  This is a family business and most of the staff are related by birth or marriage.

While we were waiting to board the boat, I noticed a couple of anoles chasing each other.  I walked over closer to them and realized they were mating.  I couldn’t resist taking a picture.  After all, how many chances do you get to see anoles mating?

We started out with fruit, pasta salad and home made sticky buns.  The sticky buns are the owners grandmother’s own recipe.  I had prime rib and it was absolutely delicious.  Everything is cooked on the boat except the desert which is done by a bakery in town.  There is nothing better than a good meal and good company.  It was the perfect day.

Dottie, Gary, Me and Frank.

Dottie has really spoiled us this trip.  On Thursday May 5th she took us to dinner at the Polynesian Restaurant “Ohana”. It was absolutely wonderful!  We were even treated to the Disney fire works show during desert.  The waiters come around to your table with skewers full of steak, chicken and shrimp. You can eat till your hearts content.  Vegetables are served family style.   You can be sure no one left hungry.  🙂

We were going to head home today, but the weather forecast is not conducive to travel.  So we are staying here for a few more days until the weather clears up along the coast.  I’m not complaining.  I get more time with my dear friend.

Happy Christening To Isabella Rosa

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We just spent 25 days in Miami Beach celebrating our granddaughter’s Christening.  She was so good and didn’t cry when Father poured the water on her head.  Her parents were so proud.  We then had a lovely dinner at Smith & Wollenskies.  Samantha and Stephen were there as she is the godmother, and Karina’s mother and cousin and family were there too.  Bud had a few friends there from work, It was such a lovely day.

We arrived at my high school friends house in Orlando yesterday.  Will probably be here for two weeks.  It’s always fun when we visit and we get some good card games in.  So far, Frank and Dottie each have won.  Tonight is my night to win.  🙂

I have fallen behind in my reading challenge this month.  I guess playing with the baby took up most of my time.  She is so sweet.  Anyway, I have finished one book and will post my review.

Finally Heading South!

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We are finally heading to Florida to see our new granddaughter.  I can’t wait.  We’ll be driving through the night. So I have my reader loaded so I can read.  Will post some pictures from Miami Beach.

I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the TalibanI Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai I found this book to be rather dry. But that may be due to cultural differences. I just felt that the author was distancing herself from the reader. She is a very brave young woman and her charity work is inspired. I give the book 3.5 stars.

Happy Easter!

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This Easter I am blessed with a new grandchild to celebrate.  Isabella Rosa.  She is such a joy.  But the important, really important celebration is the resurrection of our Savior.  Celebrating with colored eggs, fancy baskets and lots of candy is fine, but being aware of the reasons for today are what is important.  So, Happy Easter!  Blessed Easter!  
Happy First Easter Isabella Rosa!

Happy Easter!

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“Today we are united with the universal Church in rejoicing in the victory of Jesus Christ, the One who dispelled the power of darkness, who turned suffering to glory and even death to life. In uniting ourselves to him, we share in His victory and discover the grace and strength we need to walk in faith during our earthly journey so that one day we will live with Him forever.

In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, we are especially reminded that the Risen Lord offers us newness of life through the forgiveness of our sins. As his witnesses, we are to radiate the joy that is ours in being made a new creation in Christ. We are also to imitate Christ and offer forgiveness to those who have offended us so that nothing separates or divides us. Our witness will also be enhanced when others see us fervent in prayer, generous in service, and joyful in hope.”

Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge
Bishop of Raleigh

Catching Up With Book Reviews

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The Courage TreeThe Courage Tree by Diane Chamberlain

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. It’s the story of a little girl with end stage renal failure and her courageous journey. She survived an auto accident and then a trek through the woods in West Virginia. It’s a work of fiction and I think well written. I gave it 5 stars.

Awesome Bill from Dawsonville: My Life in NASCARAwesome Bill from Dawsonville: My Life in NASCAR by Bill Elliott

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am a big NASCAR fan and Bill Elliott was one of my favorite drivers. I am now following his so Chase who is competing in the Cup series. Actually, my favorite driver is Kasey Khane, who was Bill’s teammate when he started driving in a Cup car. Anyway, I found the book entertaining and full of information about the way NASCAR does business. I give it 5 stars.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

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St. Patrick’s “Breastplate” Prayer

I bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.
I bind this day to me for ever.
By power of faith, Christ’s incarnation;
His baptism in the Jordan river;
His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb;
His riding up the heavenly way;
His coming at the day of doom;*
I bind unto myself today.
I bind unto myself the power
Of the great love of the cherubim;
The sweet ‘well done’ in judgment hour,
The service of the seraphim,
Confessors’ faith, Apostles’ word,
The Patriarchs’ prayers, the Prophets’ scrolls,
All good deeds done unto the Lord,
And purity of virgin souls.
I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the starlit heaven,
The glorious sun’s life-giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea,
Around the old eternal rocks.
I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, His shield to ward,
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.
Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility,
I bind to me these holy powers.
Against all Satan’s spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart’s idolatry,
Against the wizard’s evil craft,
Against the death wound and the burning,
The choking wave and the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same.
The Three in One, and One in Three,
Of Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.