so far today...

the lumber yard did not get in the rest of the lattice...

so, the guys took and early lunch and will be back with the rest of the lumber to frame the rest of the deck and hopefully, the lattice will be in this afternoon...

if not then, it will be tomorrow...

they are so close to getting things finished...

so it shouldn't be too much longer...

I love the feel of the lattice with the shadows it casts...

just wait until we start putting things up there...

its going to be fun...

another rainy day...

deck guys have been here twice now...

in between the rains...

they got the frame work up for the roof the first time...

but the skies are still gray...

and they reworked the steps...

we had a hard time going down them over the weekend and they had a hard time coming up them this morning...

so this is what they came up with and got it done the second time back...

they work...

the roof will go on next...

either this afternoon or in the morning...

depending on if the skies drop more rain or not...

we will just have to wait and see...

at least we don't have to water today...

if fact, we haven't watered for several days...

taking it easy today...

I am so glad the weekend is over...

did a little too much...

Craig hosed off the sawdust so we wouldn't drag it into the house...

we need more pavers and gallon of paint for the steps...

the rest of the deck needs to rest for one year before we paint it...

son, very soon, I will be sitting out here...

catching up...

a neighbor told us about a rummage sale just down the road yesterday right before noon...

he said they had a power chair for $300 with new batteries...

well, DH and went out to check on it...

it was $600 and a 3 wheel scooter, which I want nothing to do with...

they tip very easy and pitch you out...

I don't need that...

but I did find a couple of things that were still there...

a lamb planter, you all know I collect these...

and a bunny candle holder...

25 cents each...

spent a whole whoppin' 50 cents and I was happy...

these have been blooming all week...

not as big and round as normal, but everything has been a little forced to hurry along this year...

moved the loungers out and put this here...

they will be going on the deck...

they need to dry out, so had the guys pull them out into the sun...

the cushions are soaking wet from yesterday's rain...

been weeding, watching tv and nappin' today...

we cooked quite a bit and DH is grillin' now...

planted his coleus out front in a shady spot...

moved a couple things in the pots to a more sunny place...

the shade area gets larger every year in the south part of the yard...

want to congratulate Nana Diana on another grandchild yesterday...

they got them a healthy baby boy...

a little early, but everyone is doing ok...

the deck guys will be here in the morning to finish the roof...

not sure how many more days they have to go, but it should be done by next weekend as long as we can get through a few more days without rain...

then it can rain all it wants, cause I'll be out there sitting under a roof!

keep shining...

look at this image really good...

what do you see?

a beacon...

bright and warning...

why can you see it?

because the storm has made it dark so the beacon shines bright...

the sea is swollen and the waves are crashing,  hiding the danger...

but the light is above it all...

telling everyone to be safe in the storm...

what do you see now?

the light is hope...

now, if the waves were calm and the sun was shining, you would not be able to see the beacon...

you would not need it...

you would see the light house standing there and the rocks around it...

all beacons are built on rocks...

solid rocks...

now, imagine that we are all light houses...

you see where this is going?

in the sunlight, we are clearly seen by all who pass by...

but...

and this is a big but...

how many can see you when they are in the middle of their storm?

is your light bright enough to steer them in the right direction?

are you built on solid rock?

have you maintained your structure?

and most importantly...

is there light within?

you will never know how many ships pass safely because of your light...

you only see the ones in the calm of the day...

but know this...

someone is watching you...

gaining strength through you...

being safe because of you...

avoiding the reefs...

to land safely when the seas calm...

keep shining...

it is not in vain...

still waiting...

on Monday to roll around...

to see guys up here doing their thing...

so much fun awaits them this week...

put the pavers back and we will need some more to finish this out...

things are still blooming and its much warmer today...

long sleeves, but no coats...

it raining right now...

we got things picked up, weeded and rearranged as much as we could...

measured and figured out where things are going to go on the deck...

and elsewhere...

you know its calling for a total makeover...

went through a list of small things that need finished up...

and more to get started that we can bump out in a day or so...

we did get this lined...

later we are pulling the pavers...

lining it with the black cloth and more sand and then setting them back in again...

this should be the last time for that...

the dusty miller is in full bloom today...

trimming up and dead heading always...

I trimmed back the lilac last week and it looks much better...

moved this here 4 springs ago right before the flood...

it was off of my old lilac which died in the flood...

the only pink flamingos in my yard, but seriously thinking of getting some just for laughs...

really...

we are getting some serious rain right now...

yippee...

Bebe went out first thing this morning and found mud in the field behind us...

just had a bath last night, too...

so he got another one...

baby bleubelle is doing good and a bit cranky...

cutting teeth...

going to add baby cereal to her milk starting tomorrow...

she is growing...

momma is still in hiding, so the trap will be coming in this next week...

its pouring with some tiny hail in it...

but it will soak right in...

we need about a week of this...

well- DH is shopping in Charleston...

he is stopping by Doug's...

then Walmart...

he is picking out a shower curtain liner and hooks for Craig's bathroom...

a clothes hamper...

and some other things...

looks like the rain is just about over... 

I can see blue skies to the north...

you all have a great weekend...