Virginia

Today is a dreary, cool, rainy Harry Potter/LOTRs kind of day. And I'm perfectly OK with that! Although I must admit, it's rather unusual for South Carolina in August.🙃

One verse that touches on tithing. 2 Corinthians 9:7 - Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. I belong to a small Baptist church in the Southern belt. My reverend speaks on tithing but he doesn't beat our heads in with it. Our small church is paid for and we're about to build a bigger sanctuary. He and his wife are retired Navy and won't accept his monthly payment. When they pay him, it goes back to the church. Even when we have his anniversary program and a collection is taken, he gives back a tenth of it. He doesn't accept payment for being a guest preacher. Funds collected go towards the community. We know this because we've had family and friends who needed assistance and they were granted the money with no obligation to pay it back. THIS is what tithing is supposed to be used for, to help the community. They have a nice home but you better believe that it was purchased off their privately earned incomes. Not many churches can say this and it's sad because this is what the faith is about, providing for our brothers and sisters. There was an incident about two weeks ago were a "preacher" was robbed at gunpoint while actually live-streaming his "sermon." The thieves stole over a million dollars in jewelry that the preacher and his wife were actually wearing. This happened in New York. He has been accused of defrauding his congregation. Last week he did another live video to show his closet filled with expensive clothing and shoes. It made me sick to my stomach. His congregation are damn near destitute and here they are, flaunting and stealing. The unchristian part of me was really glad that he was robbed. Sadly, it's imposters like these that have saturated church pulpits and gullible congregants get shafted.

I'm so glad you're doing better. I had a few symptoms but kept testing negative. Even after caring for a few of the littles at our home, we both tested negative. Our son on the other hand, tested positive but he's not sure how he may have gotten it. We just got back from our second cruise this year. Hubby booked it for my birthday. We went to Freeport (yuck) and Bimini (loved it). Got back Monday to the sick son who was recouping at his girlfriends house. It was really bad timing as he was supposed to start his new job at a new site on Sunday. As soon as he tests negative, he and my son-in-law will fly out together (they are in the wind turbine field). As with any return from any time away from home, I had to spend the first few days getting things back to normal. My mom drove down from Virginia to house/dog sit. It also gave her time with the grands. There was just a minimum of housework that I needed to do as I'm a particular housekeeper to get it back to "my" normal. Then there was the homemade soup to be made, the plants to be watered, and vacation laundry to be done. All of which was done the day we returned! I managed to get in yesterday to have my gel nail polish removed, walked my boy at the state park, did grocery shopping and had the oil changed in the SUV. I can actually do nothing the rest of the week if I choose. Dinner will be pho w/shrimp so pretty simple and easy to put together. I'll be watching (or letting the tv) tv watch me and flipping thru the magazines I didn't read while on the cruise.

I've been battling covid symptoms the past few days. My daughter's family all have it, except her husband because his work requires him to travel. So there are 7 people (one adult, six kids) in one home with it, the youngest being 5 and just exhibited symptoms. I've tested almost every day and while it says negative, I am asymptomatic. I'm around the children almost daily so there's no way for me to really avoid it. I went and picked up meds and drinks for my littlest one and brought back two children with me. They are over the worst and are on the mend. I have them settled in the sunroom. They will have to stay away from their papa tho as he's healthy. I thought I wanted to read but I can't get into a book yet. I feel tired and restless at the same time. And the body aches are killer. Guess I'll dose off and on for the rest of the day.

Nothing quite like having a flying Palmetto bug aiming for your head!

That's so interesting! I live in the Southern portion of the US, which is SWAMP HOT. The humidity is killer. Add to that, there's the flying no-see-ums, mosquitos, and flying Palmetto bugs (roaches with wings) I can't imagine NOT having screened-in windows. I suffer from seasonal eczema and psoriasis and the heat makes it unbearable so air conditioning is a must. Landlords are required to have air conditioning in their units because death-related heat is a real thing. It's one of the few things tenants can withhold their rent payment (only in the southern states). Simple window units run from a few hundred US dollars and up, depending on the size, and BTUs.

How expensive is it to install an HVAC system or a window unit in the UK?

I found it at Walmart, believe it or not! They have kind of a nostalgia section with complete seasons of lots of old shows, like Mash, Waltons, Andy Griffin. This looks to be the original based off the library copies I've rented.

I washed my land rover, took my pupper for a quick walk (heat) did a bit of shopping at Trader Joe's for our daughter, and picked up a dual dash-cam for both of our trucks along with the complete seasons of Northern Exposure! Now I'm home and did a "mini spa" day for our date tonight.

It's another cloudy, dreary day. I took my oldest grandson to a wellness checkup and then to lunch. The rest of the day will be spent reading and puttering around. Those blackberries look divine!

I recently became president of my neighborhood homeowner's association. As I'm starting from scratch (the old president moved away) because it was so convoluted and militant, I'm revamping it. I finally got my Facebook page set up and have spent the morning posting PSAs. I don't have the members yet because many are older and I have to get the word out. But, it's at least ready!

It's a quiet Sunday as well. Dinner is prepped, the house is clean and the grandchildren are entertained. Hubby and I are currently watching Pompeii. It's been a scorcher most of the afternoon but the clouds are darkening and preparing for a storm this evening.

It's been a busy and productive week. The Land Rover situation has been taken care of. I had the GMC detailed after its visit to the shop. The four-legged boy has been groomed (by me), the shopping done, and end of the month budget has been handled. The grandchildren have been here since yesterday and I took them to the park, fed and gotten them bathed and ready for an evening of movies and crafts. I am now relaxing for the remainder of the weekend.

Thought I'd start a new topic. What's everyone up to today? Did you put any new books on your TBR list? Did you BUY or check out any new books? Are you working today? Going to school? Shopping? Vacationing? Visiting? I'm moving some inspirational books from my office to my sitting area in the sunroom (conservatory) so that I will remember to read them. It's also a space where I will be more inspired to write. The office just doesn't do it, even with a lovely view. I'm also waiting to hear from the auto repair shop. We bought a Range Rover a few weeks ago and found out that this particular year has a recall on the gas tank edge. The dealer had to fit us in as every Land Rover dealership within 300 miles is backed up till the end of August. The smell of gas was giving me a headache! After I pick it up, I plan to come home and stay put. I've got "admin work" to do for a neighborhood meeting, and do some financial paperwork. A rainy day is the best day to do the dull and dreary work. I also have a book by Kathryn R. Wall I want to get into. It's called In For A Penny. It's set in my hometown and it's a mystery so I want to read and get some ideas on how to write local fictional books. So, what are y'all getting up to today?

LOL! I'd almost wish for it because then I'd know what to expect! Today we have rain and it looks like we'll be in it for at least a week and a half. We need it so I won't complain (like that helps). My plants are getting watered without any help from me. The rain HAS dropped the temps by double digits so there's that.

Dreary, not dreary, dreary, not dreary. Ugh.

https://www.keurig.com/Home-Coffee-Makers/K-Café®-Special-Edition-Single-Serve-Coffee-Latte-%26-Cappuccino-Maker/p/K-Cafe-Special-Edition-Coffee-Latte-Cappuccino-Maker:Nickel_color This is the brand that I have. I love that I can do lattes and cappuccinos with it. I can also do a shot of espresso. That's what I use for the iced coffee. When I didn't have one, I just made black coffee and then let it cool. I put crushed ice in a glass with vanilla syrup and cream then add the coffee. Easy peasy!! If you can find the vanilla Jack, you should really try it!

I'm a BIG fan of the Honey Jack and the Vanilla Jack. It's so smooth!!!! It's the only brown liquor I drink. I gave a bottle to my neighbor for Christmas and now its her favorite. I'm cooling off with an iced coffee that I made using my Keurig. That thing is one of the best investments I made last year.

Thanks, Luna! It's still a challenge but I'm going to push forward. We're about to become pescatarians. We love seafood and salads and I plan to incorporate way more veggies. And I've been forcing more water down my throat.

Woke up to temps in the 60s. It's now 84 degrees and relatively pleasant. I actually got out and watered my plants and herbs and puttered around outside without feeling like I was melting. The rest of the week will be teasing the triple digits with two days actually committing to three digits. We went out and bought Nerf water guns and a plastic pool for the littles to cool off in when they are over here.

It's "10 degrees of hell" hot here in South Carolina. It's got my eczema acting up. I try to find the best times to water my outdoor plants but if I don't get them watered by dawn's early light, I can't water them later because the water and sun will wither them. I try to do it in the evening but the heat and sun don't go down until about 2000. I'm already showered and ready for bed!

It's so dang hot! It's so hot that I find that I don't have much appetite. This isn't a good thing as I'm Type II diabetic. I love summer fruits and veggies but too much can raise my blood sugar up. Last night I didn't eat dinner, I ate bowls of watermelon, popcorn, and a snicker bar. Yeah, dumb! I've got to get interested in healthier foods but when I'm too hot, I get bored and eat what's quick. What do YOU eat when it's too hot to breathe?

I miss the coziness we used to have. We have so many members but there doesn't seem to be a lot of interaction. We have REALLY great topics but they are just not being utilized. It feels like nobody's home and I want to bang on the doors and wake up the neighborhood!!! The world has become so crazy/dangerous that I just want something familiar to come back to.

I really miss all the activities we once had here! Facebook really did a job on these forums, didn't it? Is there a way to recapture that feeling we used to get when we came to the forum?

Yup! Started reading already!