Fourth

There are tens of thousands that will not be able to spend this weekend

with their families and friends as they continue to provide safety and security around the world. Please keep them and their families in your thoughts.

-----After the recent holiday sales I was looking to pick up an old gas barbeque somewhere so we could use it around our place. AJ told me that it wouldn't be cost-effective because we'd only use it once in a great while. He's right. But I had it in my mind that we could have our own form of memories in our backyard during these extremely lean financial times at our home. Needless to say we don't have a barbeque.

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-----I think that is how I want to spend these types of holidays. A leisurely day with a sumptuous barbeque and all the fixin's. It has been years since we have had one. At that last barbeque we had Stone and his family over and the kids ran and played while the older ones sat in the livingroom and watched videos. The food was good but the quarters were tight. We just have such a tiny home and it makes some people uncomfortable to be here. Sorry.

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-----So, maybe I am wishing to have a barbeque of our own so that the little family that we are can sit outside and have our own version of a holiday celebration.

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-----Tonight AJ and I went to the grocery store and picked up some banana split supplies. We wanted something different to mark the occasion of Independence Day. We splurged on some hot fudge and carmel toppings (which we have never done before) and we came home and enjoyed the gooey ice cream desserts together. A short while later, AJ came into my room and announced that the sugar was getting to him and making him feel unwell, so he wanted to eat an apple to counter-act the effects. That was a breakthrough. He is definately a sugar-holic.

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-----CC is away camping with a good friend and their family. She loves to go camping with them every summer. They have such a good time and even go boating on the reservoir. She has a signal up at the campsite because I was able to text her and ask how she was. She's having fun. She loves to be with people and she is good at it. We hope to see her late in the afternoon tomorrow.

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-----JW called last night because his wife saw I was on FB and knew I was home. He talked about the probability of losing his job in October. Government bureaucracy. We are praying for them. He told me about the oil spill disaster in that area and the oil blobs that have washed up on shore. He said he can smell the oil when he goes on base to work. His calling at Church is still financial clerk and he's got he hang of it. H (his wife) has a new calling to create and maintain the Ward website. She will be amazing at that! V1 (son) has created his own computer out of bits and parts and he is happy with that. V2 (another son) is not into being told what to do now and is learning boundaries. They have a good renter for their house in Ohio who should be in the place for two years, and may try to qualify to buy it later. That is such a blessing.

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-----We believe we've discovered something about a long-lost relative. No details on here but suffice it to say we have uncovered some interesting facts about current arrangements and locality. It was quite a surprise!

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-----Thank goodnes LL has texting. We send each other messages whenever we have the inkling and it's nice to be able to do that. We keep in touch better now, but we will always be able to have a three hour phone conversation whenever the mood strikes. She is managing the affairs of home and hearth really well on her own. Even when there are "directives" from across the pond, she manages to keep her wits about her and get things done. Oil slick and all. I admire her courage and her skills.