Sorry....this blog is getting very little attention from ME.

I have been putting my efforts into my other blog and just generally doing other things.

Thanks for visiting!

This past weekend my daughter visited! I had a wonderful time just spending time with her. We shopped, lounged on the beach, ate out, talked and even watched a little TV (which I plugged in since I knew she was visiting!).

On Sunday afternoon, just before she headed back to PA, I solicited her assistance as I had decided that my patio table and chairs would be much more usable if I moved them from a small deck off my back door (upstairs) to a secluded little area in my front yard! Meg gladly helped with the move and the past two evenings I have enjoyed sitting outside in my newly created little 'garden spot'. Tonight I snapped a photo to share on this blog!

The table and chairs are black so they don't show up real well in the photo, but they are pictured in the background...you can see the candles lit on the table. In the foreground of this photo is a fall display that I also arranged on Sunday. The gate that is pictured is one (of two) that was at either end of a small fenced yard off the back door of my childhood home. My sister has the other gate and she uses hers in much the same fashion as I have done for this autumnal season.

Hope everyone else has their own little 'garden spot' where they can relax, retreat and refresh after a long day! May you all be blest and refreshed in the love of Christ!

I'll post a bit more later, but for now, my 'free time' is running short! I'm spending Labor Day weekend in Mystic, CT. (1.5 hour drive took 3 hours!)

My employer's brother is getting married TODAY and of course, all three of my 'charges' are in the wedding! Today is a big day for them!

I am having a cup of coffee and enjoying the Mystic view while waiting for the family to return home from a birthday party. As I sat and sipped, I heard the whistle blow....announcing the raising of the famous Mystic drawbridge in the center of town. (The coffee shop is right next door!) I snapped this photo while watching the boats pass through the open bridge!

Hope it gives you a feel for this BEAUTIFUL day in Mystic, CT!

As some of you know, this is the third summer I’ve spent in Maine. Today I finally snapped a photo that will help convey a funny misunderstanding I had in the very first days of my experience in Maine!

Upon my arrival to Maine, in June of 2007, one of my first priorities was to find a church to attend during the summer months. If you know me personally, or even if you read my blogs with any regularity, I suppose you have learned that I worship in a style that is free and without many of the trappings or strongholds that is often found in traditional, denominational church styles. As I sought a church family those first few days, I prayed for sure, but as I traveled through the towns of Maine, I also kept my eyes open, searching for a church that might be what I was seeking.

Now, I don’t know where you live or what, in recent years, you have done with your recyclables, but in CT, we put our recyclables out on the curb in a separate container for the garbage collector to take away! When I grew up in the country of central PA, everything was simply lumped together, burned in an old oil drum we called “the incinerator” and eventually taken to the local “dump” and from there, hauled by the township to a landfill. Anyway, I had never heard of a place called a “Redemption Center”!

Can you guess? Well, you got it! As I quickly drove by this very location, seeing only the first few words on the sign, I got very excited! In my thinking, any place called a “Redemption Center” could only be a Holy Spirit-filled house of worship! I was feeling really great about my new discovery when a few days later, in another small town in Maine, I drove past yet ANOTHER “Redemption Center”!

DUH! I quickly realized after visually investigating the facility that the Redemption Centers that I had seen were, indeed, places to drop your RECYCLABLES! You know….you drop them off and REDEEM them for cash, I suspect!

Imagine if I had actually gone to THAT kind of “Redemption Center” on Sunday morning! Pretty funny, huh? Seems I’m often confusing things like this; guess it’s the price you pay when you live in “La-La Land”.

As you may know, I have, since that early experience, found two great little places of worship where I summer in Maine. I am thankful for the REDEMPTION I have found in Christ! I pray that you each experience His power of Redemption in your own life!

Hey blogging friends.... anyone wonder where I've been?

Truth be told, I spend what little internet time I have checking email and visiting Facebook! Seems I have little time to write blog entries. Another factor is that my days here in Maine, as I continue my job as a full time nanny, focus pretty much entirely on my three young charges and daily life at camp. To honor my employer's request to keep "camp" life discreet and non-public, I do not post photos or camp happenings on my blog or elsewhere....so that leaves little else in my life to post about! :) Well, I'm not entirely immersed in work ALONE...I do have other interests and activities...so perhaps the greater deterrant is the lack of internet accessibility! If any of you blog, you know that writing a post isn't always quick and easy....it takes thought and time....and these days...I'm just plum short on both!

I've been working on completing (now in editing phase) the material I have compiled for Nursing Home (or other) Visitation Ministry. This project has been years in the making and takes a big chunk of my time. I love doing this and I'm following what God laid out for me to do....so I am not complaining....just explaining where I've been and why no posts!

My life is full and rich and God-centered and I really would have it no other way! Sometimes I get weary and SELF-centered....but it's then when I have to press on and dig in and be the woman God wants me to be! Hope you all are blessed and experiencing God's Presence and Power today!

My visit to PA included celebrating the FIRST birthday of my FIRST grandson, Tucker! His birthday is actually TODAY so in his honor, I made this photo mosaic. His mom and dad hosted a cookout birthday party on Sunday, May 24. Just like their own wedding day, the weather held out until the very end of the festivities....then strong gusting wind and downpours of rain!

This is Tucker Patrick Devine, and family, celebrating his FIRST birthday. :)

Included in this mosaic is Tucker's mom, Emily, in the green shirt (and pregnant with little boy #2). Tucker's dad, (my son) Tim, in the orange and white striped shirt and ball cap. And in the bottom center photo is my sister, Kay, her husband, Al, and "tuckered out" Tucker is resting his head on the shoulder of my niece, Molly.

Happy Memorial Day! I am spending a few days relaxing with family in PA.

Today I attended our small community's Memorial Day Service. It was meaningful and allowed for time to reflect on the many acts of sacrificial service our military has given throughout our country's history. My own father, who is now 93 years old, served during WWII in the Pacific Theater Operations. I have two sons who served in the military as well. Navy and Air Force. Today was a day to honor the many veterans of our country. I have always loved seeing the many cemeteries in our country that are adorned with flowers and flags to commemorate our veterans and honor loved ones. The above photo was taken in Darien, CT at the Spring Grove Cemetery.

As the second photo indicates, I am thoroughly enjoying the relaxing country air in my hometown of the village of Beaver Springs, PA. At this moment, I am sitting on my sister's front porch watching a baseball game which is being played on the local middle school ball field. (across from her home). Life is good :)

See you in CT on Wednesday!

Good morning bloggers! Here's hoping that everyone has a great day and good week ahead.

I am looking forward to a week of vacation from work BUT FIRST I have this coming week of work to ENJOY. I will be training a new nanny this week! The new nanny will be going along with us to spend the summer in Maine. She will be one of the summer nannies who will be providing child care for the younger children of staff members at camp. For the next three weeks, though, she will be working with the children here in CT. The "new girl" has previously babysat on occasions through the past winter so at least the children will be comfortable with her. (hoping that they won't be inclined to go through that "show off" / testing period that often goes along with meeting new sitters)

Back to my impending vacation! I will have the next TWO weekends off work and the entire work week in between! 9 days! YIPPEE!

My plans are to:

• enjoy a leisurely Saturday, including my weekly Bible Study at the mall, then
• leave early Sunday morning for a few days visit in PA.
• PA plans include visiting with former "church friends and family" at the local restaurant in Beaver Springs,
• lunch with my sister and her family (a new boyfriend for my niece, I hear!),
• then celebrating the FIRST birthday of my grandson.....all that on Sunday!
  

Monday is Memorial Day and I will

• visit local cemeteries and honor our veterans by attending the local Memorial Day Service. I am SO looking forward to spending time with my daughter, as well. I don't know her schedule yet, but I'm hoping to visit with her on Sunday AND Monday! (I DO know that she has off work on Monday).

Tuesday morning I have scheduled

• a 'check-up' for my van at a local auto repair shop and I am SURE that the morning will include
• breakfast out with my mom! I also hope to squeeze in a trip to State College to
• visit my daughter at her new (to me) place of employment,
• take her out for lunch or dinner and
• do a bit of shopping.

In between all that, I want to visit with my parents, who I haven't seen since last September. My dad is 93 and my mom 89 so every visit is important and appreciated. OF COURSE, I will be popping in and out of my son's home to cuddle with my grandson! A one-year old is so fun...I hope to enjoy some 'play time' with him! Maybe a walk to a nearby park will be included in my visit.

Any time I have a break from work, I also like to spend some carefree days back in my own home in CT. This vacation, I am hoping for SUN so I can relax on the beach! (most likely I will relax on the beach even without sun!) I also love the library so I will not worry even if it does rain! Saturday, May 30, I will be attending my weekly Bible Study in the mall, followed by a baptism service at a nearby river! Friends who attend the Bible Study will host the baptism at their home, which conveniently borders the Housatonic River and park! We will follow the baptism with a picnic. I'm really looking forward to Saturday, May 30! Rounding out my vacation will be my church's annual "Unstructured Service". This service is open to anyone who would care to contribute what God has laid on their heart. Music, testimonies and praise fill this service, so I will enjoy that visit to "Calvary Baptist" one last time before my summer in Maine.

That about sums up my coming plans....like I said, I have to enjoy THIS week first! And now....it is time for me to prepare for my work day!

Wishing you all God's very BEST for this day!

Another wonderful day! I worked from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

My work day consisted of:

• attending a Mother's Day Tea (brief musical program by 2, 3 and 4 year olds) and refreshments in their classrooms,
• lunch...of leftover beef vegetable soup served over rice....which was actually fairly well received by the children :)
• nap-time for the youngest and 'quiet-time' for the 4 year old.
• By 2:15 we headed out the door to pick up the 5 year old at her school and then due to an imposing thunderstorm and rain,
• we headed to the library for an hour or so. We had a lovely time at the library since I toted along some drawing paper, stencils,'writing' tablet and assorted pencils. The girls really enjoyed finding a table in the "Children's Section" of the library and doing, what they called "homework"! (Just wait until they are FORCED to do the real thing!! Wonder how that will go?) The 2 year old played very nicely with the many puzzles at the library as well as a car that he carried with him into the library. The older children selected a few new books to check out and
• then off we went to the family's church's public supper that is held every Thursday night. We have been attending this supper since the beginning of Lent and the kids seem to enjoy it....and I don't have to cook!! Tonight's meal was very good; pork loin, macaroni and cheese and fresh cooked green beans. Always on the menu are chicken nuggets for the kids and a really nice buffet of assorted fruit and light desserts. My work day ended at 6 p.m. with 'mom' taking the children home from the supper. Of course, in between all that 'scheduled' activity of the day, my responsibilities include all the normal household tasks that any 'stay-at-home' mom would be doing during the day. You know the saying, "my work is never done"!

Following the afternoon thunderstorm, the evening turned out to be quite nice so I decided that a walk at the beach and some scavenging for 'sea glass' would be therapeutic! After about 40 minutes of combing the beach, I ended up with a large handful of nice sea glass! I spent much of my time praying as I combed the beach so the time was well spent and very relaxing!

As I sat in my car for a few moments before I left the beach I noted how still and calm the water of the Long Island Sound looked. I had to get out and snap a photo! (in the distance, even on this somewhat hazy evening, you can see Long Island in the distance!)

It's times like this evening....of sheer quiet, peace and joy....when I wish that a photo could capture the heart and emotions of a moment. Even though, I'll share the photo with you and assure you that the evening was one of intimacy with God and experiencing the fullness of Him. I pray that you, too, would experience God-filled days and know His joy and peace like only He can give!

Wow.....how quickly the days fly by! "May Day" has past and we are already approaching Mother's Day!

Today I was invited to attend a "Mother's Day Tea" that is held annually at the pre-school where my charges attend. I have gone to this event for the past two years and it is always nice. I recall that the first year I attended, my employer ('mom') was not able to attend as she had just given birth to the third child in the family! I can hardly believe that this little guy will turn TWO years old this Saturday!

Rain is forecasted once again for this day and already the roads are wet. Though wet weather might keep us from an afternoon of outdoor fun at a local playground, I will not let it dampen our spirits! I am praying for a wonderful day filled with God's Love and all the 'fruit of the Spirit' that He will bring forth from me! Lately, I've been in need of PATIENCE!

Hoping you all have a glorious day!

Ugh....we had SNOW FLURRIES in CT today!

I snapped this photo as I was entering my favorite eating spot, Orem's Diner in Wilton, CT!

My PA trip was great! I'm now back in CT and enjoying one last day before getting back to care for my 'charges'! My mini-vacation was restful, though brief. I'll add a photo mosaic that I've posted on facebook. It's just a few shots as I was driving home early on Tuesday morning. Spring is "in the air" even though the temperatures were below average for this time of year!

Of course, the highlight of my trip was spending time with my grandson, Tucker. I snapped quite a few photos and videos of him but I always seem to end up with BLURRY photos! This darling little 10 month old is walking and seems fairly sturdy on his little legs!

My sister prepared a really great Palm Sunday dinner and her table looked very nice! She has a very lovely home and it's always nice to 'kick back' and enjoy the time there! All three of my children were able to join us (my sister and her family) for Sunday dinner and we had fun reminiscing and chatting. I have a few videos of our dinner, but haven't tried to upload those yet! For now, enjoy the photo mosaics!

My photo editor now seems to be allowing me to edit my photos!

Here are photos of a few of the things I have been doing lately!

The little guy, "Brubby", and I went for a walk at a local park one day. You can see he was intrigued by the Canadian Geese that are always at the pond! It was too cute...as he kept approaching the geese he was telling them to GO, GO! He wanted them to go in the water...which they did, with a BIG splash that Brubby loved!

I snapped a few other shots at the same park and then last weekend when I was at the beach, I found two young boys flying kites. The wind was almost TOO STRONG for kites, but it was worth 'freezing' to watch those kites soaring!

If you visit my other blog, "Walking God's Way" you'll see a mosaic I did of some recent "Spring" shots here in CT! I'm SO glad that Spring has arrived!

Hi friends!

Wow...last post I made here was 29 days ago!! WHAT have I been doing??? And even WITHOUT TV for the past month! I did have some trouble with my photo editor so my zest for blogging was dampened. It's not quite as much fun to post an entry when you can't share photos. I'm working on the problem and HOPE I've straightened it out!

Life goes on....work is great, warm weather is approaching (or at least some signs of it)! My 'charges' and I have begun counting down the days until we head to Maine for the summer! It seems like we just got home from our summer at camp and already we are approaching the time to head north once again!

I sure wish I'd be able to post photos and such of my dear, sweet charges....cause they are just so adorable and fun! I respect my employer and others associated with her work, though, so I try to stick to my own life. As this blog conveys, my life is quite mundane to most people. Life for me is filled with GOD things and the stuff of His Kingdom. I seek out little entertainment (for entertainment's sake) and I'm very selective when it comes to relationships and 'people pursuits'. I do TRY to be open to those relationships that God ordains and orchestrates, but it gets a bit tricky, cause in and of myself....I'd just as soon be alone (sitting in the library or going for a walk, etc.) I admit that I have to FORCE myself to engage with others at times. (Not sure what that's about....cause I do LOVE people and enjoy getting to know what 'makes them tick', etc.) ?? Who knows, it may be a 'shield' of some sort. I tend to protect myself and guard my heart carefully. I was just thinking about this yesterday....and wondered if there may be a spiritual angle in this 'shielding' of my soul ?? (another post...probably for my other blog) :)

Anyway....I am sending love and saying my HELLO's to any blog readers! I am heading to PA for a brief visit very early this Sunday morning, April 5. Isn't that the date for Palm Sunday?? I will be visiting family and friends....and YES....watching TV!!! I will stay in my parent's home while I'm visiting Beaver Springs (they are currently in FL) and they have CABLE TV! Something I have not experienced since March of 2006! :) When I DO get the opportunity to view cable...I'm a remote freak!! Again...I have been known to sacrifice RELATIONSHIPS and spend vacation time in front of the TV!! Pretty weird, huh? :) I also CANNOT WAIT to see my little grandson, who I am sure is growing like a weed! He will be 1 year old the end of May, so he is at an awesome age! (I'm sure I'll find out that EVERY age of my grandchildren are "awesome ages"!)

I HOPE I can add a post sooner than another 29 days! I will most definitely be taking my familiar PA photos and will share them with my blog readers!

I have been posting more entries on my other blog lately....Walking God's Way. You may have visited that site in the past, it's a blog that shares my spiritual journey and Christian faith walk. Anyone is most welcome to visit that blog and leave a comment. I also spend time at facebook.com . If you use facebook, feel free to look me up (Lindy Kline-Geertz) and be my friend! Until the next post.....hope all is right in your world and that you know the Christ who saved me! :)

I worked on a few craft projects today. Pictured is the start of the spring banner I am working on. The best word I could think of to use on a banner for spring...was HOPE. I'm actually making two of these but have no clue at this point what I'm going to do with them! Also finished an "Easter Egg" decoration that I started last weekend. This might go on my front door!

Last weekend I made a couple head bands that I might try to sell on 'etsy'. I currently don't have a store there, but I might check out the site and try to do some selling. I don't have many items so I hesitate to do this....maybe eBay would be better? I could give the head bands to the girls, but I've already given them SO MANY! They could wear a different head band every day for a few weeks!

"Could-a, Should-a, Would-a"!

Friday I was driving in Darien and caught a glimpse of ....YES!!!...Crocus blooming! They were white and peaking up through some dried leaves and other rubbish. How I LOVE to watch for these first signs of SPRING! I "COULD-A" stopped and taken a photo....but I was in a fairly busy residential area and didn't stop. :(

Yesterday I took my three charges to my church's annual Spaghetti Supper. (I'm a nanny to three of the greatest children in the world....ages 5, 4 and 1.75). The kids all behaved WONDERFULLY and the yummy dinner was followed by a 'Talent Night". Earlier in the month, I had discussed with another mom, the idea of the children of the church (and my charges) all joining together to sing a little 'kiddie song' for this Talent Show, however, we sort of left the idea drop and really didn't make any definite plans. I had, however, mentioned the idea to "Monkey" and "Peanut", my two older charges, and suggested we might sing "Jesus Loves Me". We even 'rehearsed' the song in the car earlier in the week and again as we traveled to last night's supper. Nothing more was said to the children, but as the kids sat in the front row last night, with two other little ones from the church, one of my charges spoke up and told the Pastor (as he introduced the Talent portion of the evening) that they were going to sing a song! As he 'bantered' with the kids about singing, I spoke up and told the pastor that the kids DID practice a song and would like to sing! I helped the kids out a little bit, but really didn't need to since the older girls sang their little hearts out! The middle child ("Peanut") even did the hand motions to the song and when she sang, "They are weak, but He is strong", she raised her hands and squeezed her fists to show His strength as hard as she could! It was SO CUTE! I "SHOULD-A" taken a photo, but didn't. :(

If I HAD been prepared to take advantage of these recent photo opportunities, I "WOULD-A" had a much nicer blog entry for today!

This was a lesson to KEEP THE CAMERA READY!! Have a SUPER Lord's Day!

A New Baby!

WHOO HOO!!! Just found out that my next grandchild...due in July....is another little BOY!! How fun is that????

Here are a few recent photos of the new baby's big brother...my grandson Tucker.

Gotta be a cat lover to appreciate this 'cat in the crib' shot!

It's Monday and I have the day off work! I had a great weekend and break from work....Thursday-Monday!

I did a bit of shopping on Friday and found some great items at TJ Max. I snapped photos of my new handbags!

The first is a Liz Claiborne bag that I got on sale for $19.99 (brown, shiny and big)! The second bag was just SO CUTE and only $7.00 so I couldn't resist it!

This smaller bag (about 5x7") was inspiration for me to design a 'big girl' hairband. I completed the headband on Sunday and look forward to wearing it!

I did a bit of crafting last evening and began an Easter/Spring banner to use for decoration. (I'll show you a photo upon completion!) Today I hope to do some more crafting today...gotta take advantage of the natural light that falls on my craft table! Also on today's schedule is meeting a friend for lunch around 1 pm...which will turn into a couple hours of visiting! Hopefully I'll also be able to get a bit of spring decorations out in my home. Seems like a lot of stuff to accomplish today but I will dig in and do what I can! (Gotta' watch "The Bachelor" on TV tonight also!

Looking out my window it APPEARS to be spring, but the temperatures sure don't reflect that! It's SUNNY, but only 33 degrees and blustery! Spring can't come soon enough for me! Perhaps my indoor decorations will help bring spring INDOORS, at least!

Hi bloggers! Guess most of you are saying TGIF today!! I actually had yesterday off work and will go back to work next Tuesday, so I was saying TGI-W earlier in the week! My employer is SO GOOD to me!

Yesterday I had some minor out-patient surgery done and today is a recuperation day! The surgery went well and the general anesthesia WORKED!! Today I can hardly tell I had surgery! I am very thankful for God's awesome protection and care.

This morning I spent time reading God's Word and getting 'refueled' and ready to serve Christ.

I then ventured out and had a late breakfast at a local diner. I just LOVE diners and there are many in the area where I live. My favorite is the Orem Diner in Wilton, CT. It's a bit of a drive, but well worth the trip!

Following my leisurely breakfast, I stopped off at Wal-Mart to pick up a few items and found some SUPER sales on leftover Valentine's Day merchandise! I purchased a few packs of sparkly silver 'wands' for my two little charges to use at a future "Little Girl Party"! (at 50 cents for a pack of 4!) Also found a few pairs of VERY COMFY stretchy pants that I like to lounge around in on sale for $8.00 so I purchased those and of course, I HAD to pick up a bag of "Jelly Belly's" that were on sale. Don't ya' just love those gourmet jelly beans???

Next stop after Wal-Mart was Panera Bread in Darien. I took my lap top with me when I left the house this morning as I had planned to end up at either Panera or the library for an afternoon of web-browsing. I have Wi-Fi in my house, but I really wanted to be out in public. (needed a change of scenery!)

Here's a photo of me.....sitting at Panera enjoying the afternoon! You can tell by the photo that today is definitely an R & R day! I'm dressed in very comfy clothes and even threw a scarf over my hair so I wouldn't have to fuss with it!

Also pictured is my view at Panera Bread from my little round corner table!

It's been a fun day and I may even proceed to another diner for a later supper! This life of 'leisure' is great! Hope you all are having a fantastic day! I am sensing God's Presence and Power in a wonderful way lately. I am blest to know Christ and to know that HE knows and loves me! Best to you all!

Hi friends,

Not too much that is newsworthy to write but thought I should let everyone know I'm alive and well! I've actually been busy "playing" on FACEBOOK!

Facebook is not new at all but I've just recently found it and it has allowed me to connect and re-connect with many friends and family. Facebook is a great program to use to network with like-minded people and it's just plain fun to find out what is happening in the lives of the folks you know! If you aren't already on facebook, check it out and join soon! Make sure you look me up and send a "friend request" to me!

Have a blessed day!