ANTS - everywhere

Everywhere you look, little bitty biting ants are crawling in the rugs, up the walls, on the furniture. It is like an invasion from "Outer Limits" - and the more Bob sprays, the more seem to come in (BIG YUK). Tonight, Bob is going to get some real strong insecticide (ant killer) and spray around the perimeter and under the house. I'm picking up ant traps to set around under the couches and furniture so some small little dachshund won't get them and play. She found some that were stashed in the spare bedroom and thought they were toys - ewwwww.

So another trip into town, with Marlyn, and a stop at Jessica's school at noon to pick her up. This is her last day in school and Keith has to be in Lake City with Yolanda for a back injection treatment at 11. They won't be back in time to get her, so I am picking her up for them. She will be 7 on June 2. She is exactly 14 days older than my grandson, Kenny, who will also be 7 on June 16. They met for the first time when Kenny's family came down for Thanksgiving and it was really a treat to see them side by side. She is such a big girl - outweighs Kenny by about 20 lbs. Everyone thinks she is 3rd grade because of her size. Both will be going into 2nd grade this fall and Jacob will be starting kindergarten (along with Kurtis) - WOW they grow up fast.

Amanda's Tag

This was a bit of a challenge and fun. Hope this is what you are looking for Manderssssessss and Sarah.

1. Age at next birthday:

2. Place I would like to visit:


3. My most favorite thing:

4. My favorite place:

5. My favorite food:

6. Favorite Color:

7. Where I Live:

8. Past pet(s):

9. Nickname I had:

10: College major:

11. First Job:

12: Goal for the year:

Our Hearts Desire

Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart"
Psalm 21:2 "You (Lord) have given him his heart's desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips"
Psalm 107:30 "Then they are glad because they are quiet; so He guides them to their desired haven"
As you all know, we have put our house in Live Oak up for auction on June 14 and have been looking at 55+ active adult locations closer to the Tampa area. Well, we had an epithany over this past weekend and it all started on Friday morning. I went to a realtor website and just for giggles put in a search for Brandon, FL; 3 bedroom 2 bath; range $80-150,000 and up popped this house for $99,000. It was going into foreclosure and had pictures that were just gorgeous so I sent it to Bob - he got all excited about it too and we just started a map google of the location since it gave the address. It really peaked our interest (heart's desire)and when I looked at the county appraisers site it was valued at $166,000+. We contacted Keith & Yolanda's realtor since she specialises in foreclosure real estate and she found out that it is currently under contract for short sale but that it doesn't look like it will go through.
This really got us to looking at the possibility of returning to Brandon - which we just didn't think was even a slim chance of that happening. We just didn't want to go there in our heads and then be disappointed - so we just tried to find something in a 55+ location. Too many times of dreaming and having that dream shattered - for me, I didn't want that pain again.
Anyway, God had to show us our real heart's desire is to be back in Brandon and even if we have to go into an apartment for a short time there, He will guide us to the home that we are to go to. We spent the better part of Sunday searching for apartments that allow pets and have a short term rental option. There are several that fit that bill. It makes more sense to do that and to have the actual proceeds from the sale of the house to put on the other home than to just guess at what it might be. We can then take our time and really make a good decision and not just settle for something because we have to move to something else.
We really felt like a huge weight was lifted from our shoulders and that God was truly guiding our steps in a more direct way.

Shopping with Marlyn

Marlyn is such a giving person and such a testimony for all the trials that she faces every single day. She was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodkins lymphoma about 7-8 years ago, she has fibromyalgia and her eyesight has been giving her some problems lately. On top of all that, her husband, Steve, has battled with hep-C for about the same length of time and they both are grieving over the death of their little companion, Dusty, who had kidney cancer. Through everything, they still laugh, sing, and enjoy the beauty of life all around them in their apartment at Dowling Park. It really puts all my minor little aches and pains into perspective and humbles me everytime I think that the entire world is ready to cave in - I can look at these two and really see the hand of God working in their lives.

Yesterday, Marlyn needed to go into Live Oak for her monthly shopping. We get started about 8:30 a.m. and head into town for breakfast - today we went to Hardees. This is the first trip since my knee surgery and it was feeling pretty strong, but I knew I had better wrap it up since this was going to be a lot of walking and stops. The first place we hit after breakfast was the local Walmart. Marlyn had to get several things from all over the store; pharmacy, clothing and groceries. From there we went to Peebles so she could look for shorts for Steve - their anniversary is coming up (June 4, 25 years). This is a little small department store located in an old K-mart. And then it was on to Publix for the final part of the groceries that she needed. We were finished shopping about 11:30 a.m. and for us that was doing really well. My knee thought otherwise and was really tired for the rest of the day. But that little bit of discomfort really doesn't undermine the absolute joy that I have in being able to do just this simple task for her and Steve. Driving and making all the different stops is just a way to show them just how much they mean to me and it is something that really helps me to share my time with them. I learn so much from Marlyn everytime we are together in just how God is working in their lives and I know that He is always going to be there for them and for me and Bob as well.

Bob blogs in...

Okay it looks like it's time for me (Bob) to get in on this whole thing. I want to tell you a little about Janet from MY side of things...There are time when she might not me too organized:
Well okay so we just moved all the stuff into the house and it was a little bit cluttered. OKAY it was cluttered A LOT!!! That wasn't very fair, actually it doesn't look anything like that now:
Sometimes we do some adventeous things and have gone through a lot together. I remember the time we went canoeing - and it was the very first time that Janet stepped foot into a canoe. It was kinda rocking to say the least. We've been to places in 10 or 11 states so far.

Sometimes there are adventeous things you really don't want to remember, but we are still amazed with the results of God's many blessings. She can give those NASCAR guys a run for their money!!!She can be soooo mysterious at times...

She is so very athletic....well she can wear sports clothes. And she reads...isn't that a sport?

And soooo elegant..... What I like the most about my very special wife is that she is caring.....

I Love Janet so very much. I hope you had a special Mother's Day.

XOXO

Hon

Results of the Saturday trip south

Lovely day outside - about 80 and low humidity - a perfect sunny day in Florida. The trip on Saturday was informational and allowed us to narrow our search to two locations. One area is in New Port Richey and the other is in Hudson. We like the feel of both areas as being a little more relaxed and not as busy traffic wise as in the Pinnellas Park area. So we move ahead with the auction on Saturday, June 14 and hope that all goes well with that so we can relocate to one of these two active living 55+ parks.

Grand Valley is in New Port Richey and does not have new homes at this time - not planning to add until next year if they can get it set up. The newest home available is a 2003 without a screen lanai and we definitely need the screened outside living space. The lot rent is only $250 but it would have annual increases of $10-15. The park is only 15 years old and is very well maintained with lots of activities. There is a pool and a clubhouse with an exercise room but no jacuzzi. There are several other older homes available for lower prices.

Brentwood Estates is in Hudson and offers the new homes with several already set up and in place. This park locks in the lot rent at $425 if you purchase a new home. There is a pool, jacuzzi, exercise room, driving area and a putting green (small one) plus the clubhouse. It is also very active and has been in the area about 20 years. This is our first choice but really either one would be good.

We spoke to some of the residents in both areas and got a feel for the locations. I know that the best thing for my knee is to have access to the pool and the exercise equipment to try to avoid a knee replacement for as long as possible. Cinnamon enjoyed her ride once she got past our bumpy dirt roads and the roller coaster effect at the beginning had a nasty "urp" result by the time we reached US 90 in Live Oak. She was ok for the rest of the trip and did very well.

Mother's Day with Bob attempting to BLOG

Such a nice surprise to have Aaron & Amanda posting to the site and putting on pictures. Mother's Day started with Cinnamon getting us up at 6:22 a.m. She can really tell time since Bob sets the alarm during the week for 6:20 a.m. and Cinnamon waits and watches the alarm clock. When it goes off, so does Cinnamon - and she is STARVED TO DEATH.

We went to church and I made it up the long stairway to our Sunday school class. Going up isn't so bad but the coming down is just not too good yet. I still have to take that one at a time and definitely have Bob in front of me for security. We even stayed for choir for the beginning of the second service. That was a first since the surgery.

We had lunch at one of the few places to eat in the huge metropolis of Live Oak - we ate at LaReyna Mexican Restaurant. We have never had anything bad there and we have become a regular on Sundays. Today they honored the mother's who came with a single red rose and some baby's breath - so I did get my mother's day flower after all. This was the first time that I didn't go get something to put in the flower bed for mother's day and it felt very odd not to have that little crazy tradition. So I guess I will just have to post some pictures of flowers this year:

I also need to clarify what Aaron stated: I did NOT almost kill him with an ordinary bat - it was a WIFFLE BALL plastic bat and he could really find my last nerve sometimes. When I was looking for a baby picture of him, I ran across some pictures of him at age 5 or 6 that really remind me his Kenny - the grins and the eyes are just so much alike - better watch out there Amanda.

Your input on the site made me laugh and cry at the same time. It really touched my heart and I do love and miss you and the grandkids so very much.

Love you all very much,

Mom

Happy Mothers' Day!

Hi Mom!

Just thought I would add a special post to your blog, just for you! Unfortunately, I don't have many pictures of you, but I do want to post a few from our trip in November. I hope you enjoy your day and wish we could be there to give you a hug. (by the way, to post a picture- When you are typing in a new post- there is a little button on the top that looks like a scenic view-click on it and you can attach a file from your computer or on the web somewhere- give it a try- it is pretty easy!)

From Aaron:
Things I love about my mom:
1) Flew up from Florida to be there for my 30th birthday
2) Didn't kill me when I lied as a kid and you came at me with the bat
3) Makes good tea
4) stayed right with me when I had to get stitches
5) taught me to be kind
6) has always loved me & is proud of me
7) Even when you told me no, I knew you loved me


From Amanda:
What I love about my mother-in-law:
1) You are always positive and supportive of me
2) You love your grandkids

3) You love me
4) You are always willing to host us during vacation! :)
5) You are fun to talk to
6) You are incredibly strong to have made it through some trials in your life
7) You love your kids
So, anyway, enjoy your day! I would love to read a post about what you did for your mothers day. (as well as you, too, Sarah- here or on your blog or both! :))
We love you!

Mom Knepp Reporting

Well, Amanda, you peaked my curiosity enough and now I took the plunge. Not so sure how this works, but you make it seem so easy. Love all the information that is on your site about the kids and how they are changing. Maybe this will be a better way to get things put together.

Bob is working and I am going over your posts and catching up on all the grandkids. Such a wonderful way to enjoy your mom moments. It is great that you can put this together and keep updating as things happen. We will be going to visit some more 55+ communities this weekend in Pinellas Park (really close to St. Petersburg). Now that the auction is set for June 14, we are starting to narrow our search down for another place to live. If we go to the Pinellas area, that would be really close to the Tampa airport, the BEACH, the Tampa Bay stadium for ballgames, the BEACH, Busch Gardens, and of course, the BEACH. Guess what I am excited about!!!