Oh, Air Conditioner Man, Where Are You?

Our air conditioner went out last night. Someone will be here sometime today to fix it. It's actually not that bad. Strategic use of wet towels and fans are mandatory! I truly think I could live without air conditioning, even in the deep South. People were just fine up until the '60's down here without it. NPR had a rousing discussion on this topic just the other day. The economy played big and the thought that gigantic stores like Walmart and shopping malls wouldn't be where they are today without AC. Maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing.

I'm staying around Navarre this week after all. So many places are hiring CNA's over here. I decided to check them out.

Thankful

Natalie girl arrived home Saturday. It's nice to have her back. The pic is of Natalie, Nat's boyfriend Chris, and Mama Gladys impersonating her favorite food network lady, Paula Deen. I guess the blond wig is from the girls' dance costume closet. Nat is missing her beau. :(

I'm off to apply for numerous jobs today - Catholic Nursing home in P'cola, 2 nursing homes in Gulf Breeze. one home health place in Navarre. I plan to head to Chipley this eve to apply at some spots over that way. Also there's lots of summer fun happening at "the Farm" and I want to be a part of it!
I do miss Wyoming but I love, love being back in the panhandle of FL!

Prayers for: MattyB and fam, Nat and Chris, the Billings family tragedy in P'cola - special prayer for Law Enforcement and agencies involved, priests, ministers, chaplains, troops...

Peace

Puttin' Up Okrey! (AKA Okra) -- What's for lunch Mama Gladys?

Well I missed out on meeting up with my pals Joy and Amy at Bald Head Island, NC this year (sob). I definitely felt a tinge of sadness this week since I couldn't make it. I'm glad I had family and fun to keep me busy.

Mama Gladys and I put up a bushel of okra. It took us, cutting as fast as we could go, 4 hours to finish it all up. Cousin Joan and I also picked a gallon of Blueberries each. Cousins Carla, Karen and Susan all picked a load of blueberries, too. A neighbor has a blueberry farm where folks pick and have a big time with their families. They offer a hayride and other blueberry fun. If anyone is interested I can get the info to you if you're in the Chipley, FL area. Anyway, when the season is coming to a close, he opens up the pickin' for friends and family.

Mama Gladys picking out some fine tomatoes at Fussel's near Chipley.

Mama Gladys cutting up okra.

I ate enough of this fried okra to harm a normal person. Mom used Aunt Lola's recipe where she dips it in buttermilk and dredges in flour. Yummm!

Green beans, fried okra, french bread, chicken and yella rice with sweet ice tea to wash it all down!

Dad, Mom, Cousin Joan and I all had a nice lunch together. Joan is having water because she is working on an alternative eating plan.

I didn't have my camera later in the day when we made homemade ice cream and ate blueberry cobbler (graciously provided by cousin Susan). Some of us then went for a moonlight swim and played with the lighted floating flowers. Fun time had by all!

Please keep Matty B and all the Wyoming folks in your prayers.

Peace!

tampabaycna.com

I'd officially like to recommend http://www.tampabaycna.com/. It's the one day boot camp I took at the end of May. Rev. Ariana Christiano takes you through a one day boot camp and sends you on your merry way with a bag full of cna goodies, everything you need to pass the exam the first time. She really stressed the importance of the little things (not cross contaminating, checking in with the patient throughout procedures, safety, etc). I took my test last Tuesday and passed. Yahoo a job with benefits is FINALLY in my near future! Thank God!

I kidnapped cousin Joan after the 4th of July celebration and turned my room into a makeshift hospital room. Gut busting laughter ensued and learning of procedures also. The other gal in the photos is Gertrude Saucy, the blowup doll, brought in for special procedures (read catheter care, etc).

Now we know why people don't sleep on the porch!

Cousin Joan and I started out sleeping on the porch the night of the 4th.

Our giant family gets together at Seagrove Beach, FL and makes a day of it. We all crowd in at my Aunt Lola's beach cabin, enjoy each other's company, watch the parade, swim, watch fireworks...

The house was so full, we decided to sleep on chaise lounges on the porch, until a giant palmetto bug snuggled up my leg and onto my shoulder! We found lodging indoors after all (see pic). I think there were 7 of us in that room that night. :P

Nasty Giant Tomato Hornworm Caterpillar!

So, what do y'all think? Is AK gov Sarah Palin being thoughtful regarding her great state or political? Or maybe a bit of both? At any rate, it is unusual for her to just step down so quickly...

I went out to fertilize and check on my little pretties (container garden) today and saw there was this giant worm, 4-5 inches long, green, fat, horned - exactly the color of my tomato plant. I've included a video of my li'l garden. About a week ago I started noticing my cherry tomatoes were looking a bit shabby and some of the stems eaten off. Then I saw a bird (didn't ID it) atop my tomato plants. I thought the birds were the problem. After googling "giant green worm tomatoes", the answer became plain. This is a Tomato Hornworm Caterpillar that turns into a giant moth eventually. There is a great Yahoo answers thread on the subject, FYI. You can leave it be and let the birds take care of it, pick it off (blick!), or use pesticides, natural BT or natural lime to dust, among a few other things. I think I'll leave it be. I enjoy seeing the birds up close and personal, doing their thing, more than I like cherry tomatoes. :)

Oh, it also said you can plant sweet basil IN with your tomatoes, which I will try next year. I forgot to grow marigolds this year to take care of the aphids....