FLING...DAY 1...Wednesday...June 25

Up early...actually not much sleep, afraid I would not hear the alarm. Silly me!
Loaded car, kissed Don and Alex and Scooter good-bye, and off to pick up Tina. She is ready and waiting...load her up, tell Buddy and Amy "BYE"...and hit the road!

First stop...Mickey D's...strange...no cars in lot...no one answers drive through...no one at the window! Oh well, we'll catch another one. Stop 2... Mickey D's number 2...cars and people ready to serve. Fuel up the body and finally heading to Moultrie! BTW...Mickey D's #1...had just been robbed!

Travel to Moultrie uneventful, just Tina and I catching up on all the news. We called Shirley and told her to gas up her SUV...we'd be there soon! I was planning to drive, but, the more we talked...the more we realized that we would never have enough room. We had the wheelchair since I had been having so much trouble walking.
And there MUST be room for luggage and 'possible' purchases! :-) She had it ready when we got there, transferred the baggage...and we're off! OFFICIALLY!!!

It is so good to be together again. We 3 are so close, and know God has blessed our friendship. I get to spend more time with Tina since we live in the same town. And Shirl and Tina get to see each other more since they are married to brothers! So, one of us is always wishing to see the others more. But, true friendship means that when you get together...it's as if you had just seen each other yesterday. We pick-up right where we left off. Tina and I miss Shirley so much...living away from us. However, she is just exactly where she is supposed to be. And we are so proud of the blessed life she has there!

We sort of meandered through GA,...not quite going on any suggested route...but, being on no time table...we just called it 'adventure'. I had printed directions from the Internet, but evidently...the map people changed 82 to 84...and thus caused great confusion to the court! I love seeing old country churches, and this is one we passed that I had to go back to so I could capture it on film.

We even passed the town of Townsend, GA. (my maiden name)

Checked into the hotel. Very nice...good room...met the super concierge, Mary, who gave us lots of good info, and we struck out, on foot, to cover the River Street area. This is several blocks of typical restaurants, souvenir shops, t shirt places, etc. located just steps from the Savannah River. Architecture remains as it used to be and the streets are still cobblestone.

There is a very nice park to sit and rest and watch the traffic on the river.

We made it about half of the way down, and decided to fill OUR tummies instead of the THEIR pockets. Found an Outback Steaks and had a nice dinner. Then a short walk home and off to sleep!

Putting Day 1 to bed...with happy thoughts in our heads!

I'M HOME !

I'm home...had a fabulous trip...but am sooooo tired!
Will fill you in tomorrow!

JUST AN ORDINARY DAY

I took my Mom and Joy over to see the Creekhouse yesterday. They were both full of mischief! Every thing I said, they had a joke to make out of it. I decided to snap a picture of them making silly jokes! I think they should grow up and act their age!

Don't they both look like such little imps? Seriously, I am so blessed to have my Mom and my sister so near. Mom hasn't been able to get out as much lately, but yesterday, the 3 of us enjoyed spending a few hours together. Amazingly, when we got to the house, there was no one there working. So, we could all be as silly as we wanted. Of course, they wanted to be much sillier than I!!! Mom wants me to put some mortar between the rocks on the fireplace...I'm not!
And Joy did not like that short wall in the kitchen...so she tried to knock it down!
I got them out of there as quick as I could. Took Joy home, and she had this gorgeous plant that I had to photograph. Isn't it beautiful?

Just an ordinary day, nothing special...but time enough to make a sweet memory!
*******"God has given us these times to enjoy." Psalm 81:4*******
*****************************************************************************
I'm leaving in the morning for Savannah with my 2 BFF. I will be looking for some special pieces for the Creekhouse.{that's the name of our new house}. But, we will have much more going on than that...we always do! Going to eat at Paula Deen's place, I'll bring you some take-out!

TREAT 'EM LIKE DIRT

Did you know that Asparagus Ferns bloom? Well, I didn't. But, apparently, they do. Because, this is a picture of some Asparagus Ferns that have lain underneath the tree in my backyard since last summer. I have been too busy to even water them, much less sit them back upright and clean the crumbly, dried up leaves out of their pots, or even remove their dead branches. So, imagine my surprise when I looked at them today...and they are blooming! Beautiful, tiny white flowers.

I think there is probably some good analogy to be made here, but I just can't find it. So, suffice it to say, if you want your asparagus ferns to bloom, treat them like dirt.


FYI: If you begin to feel guilty because you have been neglectful of your 'could be'
beautiful plants...and if you reach down to remove some of the dead branches...because in your heart you know it's the right thing to do...and it happens to be the only plant you can grow...BEWARE!!!!the neglected fern WILL get its revenge! Your fingers will be full of teeny little stickers that are not meant to be seen by the human eye. You will fall back upon your buttocks with a thud! And there you will sit, in the 98 degree heat trying to find the teeny, tiny needles that are causing you much distress and remove them from yourself...as your neurotic dog paces over your legs two thousand times because it just bothers him to see you in this position...and this is a good chance to make you pay for not getting up at 3:30 this morning to take him out. And if you get so disturbed by this turn of events that you feel the need to stomp upon the offending plant in order to teach it who is boss......remember to put your shoes on first or else you could spend another hour trying to remove the teeny, tiny barbs from your feet! I'm just saying...

THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING #23

COLORFUL VALLEY by God
Price: $ Free
About the Artist:

"Sing to the Lord a new song;
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
For great is the Lord and most wothy of praise.
...let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them.
The heaven proclaims His righteousness, and all the people see His glory.
Come let us sing for joy to the Lord;
For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
In His hands are the depths of the earth.
and the mountain peaks belong to Him.
The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad."

selected verses from Psalms 95, 96, 97.

SAVANNAH BOUND

I am blessed beyond measure by the people the Lord has allowed to be in my life. I have many friends who are dear to me. But I have an extra special relationship with these 3 ladies. We call ourselves the court. There is a queen and 2 princessess. I leave it up to you to figure out who is who! Here is a picture of us in June of 2007 as we were leaving for Hawaii!

We had a wonderful week in Maui and only had to buy 3 new suitcases to make the trip home! It might have had something to do with the number of shoes we took with us. 43 pairs for 8 days! We were prepared, people! And, our feet looked too cute!

We have been able to travel together at least once and sometimes twice a year for several years now. Since it ususally is in the spring, we call it our Spring Fling!
But, last year and this year, it is a Summer Fling! Next week we will be travelling to Savannah ,Georgia to spend 5 glorious days in the high heat and even higher humidity! Really, Savannah is a beautiful city with much history and more importantly...wonderful shopping! Priorities here, friends...priorities! My architect has me on a mission to locate a set of antique doors or gates for our house. And The Court is all about having a mission! We gladly accept the challenge and will acomplish our task! Wait and see!
If any of my readers have any tips to share on stuff in Savannah...please do. We know about Paula Deen, and are planning to eat there. But, this is our first trip here, so we would appreciate any input.
****************************************************************************
Now, I am compelled to mention an incidence that occured last week. You know I told you that my boys, and my husband, and my Mom all said for me to just throw away all my magazines. "No need to waste the time looking through them. There's nothing that important in there and it will come up again in some other magazine" said they.
Being one to listen to my own drummer...I meticulously went through the more important ones before tossing. In an issue of Mary Englebreit's Home Companion dated sometime 2007...she did a 4 page spread on.....SAVANNAH, GEORGIA ! Yes, mam, she did! And it listed all the great boutiques, and restaurants, and art galleries, and antique stores! Good thing I went back through it, huh? Sometimes my drum is SOOOOO right! :-)

GETTING THE MESSAGE

I have confessed to you before my clutter affliction. I am working so hard to change and learn to throw away the junk. However, sometimes MY idea of junk and someone else's idea can be totally different. But, I am letting go of lots of things. One of the things I love are my magazines. And I store them in boxes according to year. I do this with Country Home, Country Living, ME's Home Companion. I also tend to hang on to my MORE magazines. Great mag, BTW. I used to keep the Oprah mags, but since she lost her mind and lives in that alternate world with that funky looking author, I have thrown them all away! Oh, and National Geographic, too. I think it is against the law to throw those away. That's why you see so many old copies floating around. I am donating mine to the school library.

I would like to move into our new home with no old magazines. So, I am trying to go through them all. and tear out the useful info, or home decorating pics. As I flip through, sometimes I come upon a furniture collection or an interesting store to visit. My mom and Don say to just throw them away...they are outdated. Yesterday, I ran across some divine furniture pieces. They really caught my eye. Just like what I would like to put in the new house. I looked to see what company, and it was the-------------Moon Co...... Here's where this tale takes an unusual turn.

I typed in the name, and waited, and waited some more. It was trying desperately to come through. While I was waiting, I had the strangest sensation. I felt like I needed to get up and run! (This is not a normal activity for me, and I am not even sure I remember how.) It was as if all of a sudden...I was very frightened. I chalked it up to my hormones who are trying their best to deposit me in a nice little home for the terminally confused. FINALLY! Up it pops. Before I even looked at the page, I broke out into a cold sweat. That sense of dread became overwhelming. I actually got up and went to check on Alex to be sure he was OK. As I sat back down at the computer, my heart started racing, and I was having trouble getting a good breath. I looked at the page I saw..."Welcome to-----------Moon. My name is Priestess----------, and I will be guiding you through the joys of Wi*ca, today. Relax and learn about this oldest of religions, It will make you a happier, healthier, more spirit-filled person when you begin to worship the Wic*an way."

I had unwillingly linked to a sight about Wi*ches!` There was absolutely nothing to do with furniture! Now this is not the first time that I have come upon things on the Internet by accident. Evil minds can be very tricky! But, never before had I gotten physically sick...BEFORE I even knew what it was! I actually became so nauseous, that I thought I would throw up. As soon as I got back to the computer I quickly made my exit...turned off my computer...and found a quiet place to pray.

It became so obvious to me, as I thought about it later, God was warning me not to go there. He was sending me a message...and I did not figure it out in time. I am usually pretty good at discernment. I think it is one of my spiritual gifts. I can size people up, so to speak, in a hurry. But, God did not want my eyes to even fall upon those opening words. I've got a lot more thinking to do on this happening...to try to discern what God was saying to me. But, this I am wondering...how many other times has he tried to get my attention? How many times has He warned me and I didn't get the message? How many times have I walked the wrong path because I wasn't open to hearing from Him at that moment?

I did not sleep well last night and I have been sick all day today. You could say, "Well, you were just starting to get sick yesterday about the time you were on the computer." But, it happened to ME...and I felt these things in my Spirit as well as my Body. I know this was from the Lord. And maybe the reason I have felt sick today is that the Lord wants me to keep mulling this over until I 'get it.'

Have you ever had a similar experience? Have you felt God warn you, but you ignored it..or just didn't recognize it at the time? Or maybe you did heed the warning and found out later why.
***************************************************************************
The reason some of the w*rds have le**ers omitted, is so my blog will not be linked to those words. If someone searches for that topic, my blog will not be affiliated.














.

LET'S BUILD A FIRE !

When Don got in last night, he told me they had finished the fireplace...I didn't even know they had started! Well, the builder called this morning and said that he was getting ready to cover it up to keep the drywall dust out of it when they sanded the walls. He said that if I wanted to see it , I had better get over there...NOW!
So, quick shower, little make-up and I'm off. Friends, it is beautiful! I really, really like it. The pictures show the whole fireplace, then a close up of the stones.The floor will be the color of the tan stone, travertine, cut in random square like the fireplace.



***************************************************************************
Then, since I was out, I went by and picked out my new glasses...and then a haircut, and now home. I seem to have picked up a little stomach bug...so, it's rest time for me.

OPEN UP

Several months ago I purchased this scrapbooking tool from HSN. Not that it was something that I urgently needed, but I have this thing about tools. If it sounds like something I might could use at any time during the rest of my life, it should be mine. So, this came in the mail in a few days. I got a call saying that something was left off and would be arriving soon...and it did...the feet of the monster tool. In a few more days, the "handy, matching carrying case to keep all your crop-a-dile pieces in one handy place" arrived. I figure anything this massive would be best contained in a convenient place of it's liking.

One day last week, I found this 'had to have' gadget...under my bed. And it had never been opened. Out of sight-out of mind, people! So, feeling guilty that I had purchased this overgrown hole puncher and had never even examined it...or given it the proper feet...or let it rest in the 'handy, convenient carrying case'...I proceeded to open it and inspect my treasure.

Here, my friends, is where I entered into a battle of wills with the packaging surrounding the monster tool. The plastic seemed to be of such industrial strength that I think it probably is the same material they use to build the Space Station! First, I foolishly tried to pull it open using my own puny strength! Silly girl! Then, I got a pair of scissors and started to cut my way into it...yes, I started to cut into it..I TRIED to cut into it! NO WAY that was happening! The scissors just bounced off. So, being the persistent person that I am, I went to the kitchen to get the kitchen shears. Now these are supposed to cut through chicken bones and stuff like that. And this was a shiny, sharp, new pair that I gave Don for Christmas, because he can never find the other ones because 'someone' never puts them back in the same place. OK...let's get this baby out of its confining jacket. ARRRRRG! UGGGGGGGH! GRRRRRRR!
WHEW! there! I got a hole punched in it. A hole. After a short nap to regain my strength, I tackled the mighty package once more. Now if I push these scissors in the hole and then put the package on the floor and stop on the handle of the scissors, I think I may can make a cut a few inches across. There...a 2 inch gash. I'm gaining on it. But, I really don't think stepping on the scissors handle is the best idea...what with the blood spurting all over the room and all. 'Scuse me while I go get stitches! OK..now, I'm mad. I know all those things about letting your anger control you and how bad that is and it's true...BUT...the only way I was going to get this opened is if I was very, VERY ANGRY! Taking the unwilling...and HEAVY...it must weigh 2 pounds!...plastic into my hands once more, I slowly, very slowly begin cutting with all my might. I make it 1/2 of the way across. I can not keep going because the edges that have been cut are beginning to cut into my wrists. I hear that is a particularly bad place to cut yourself. So, I go to the other side and punch the hole and again manage to cut across to meet the first cut. HOORAY! I GOT IT! All I have to do now is just pull it apart and get my hands on its orangey goodness finally. So, I proceed to pull...nothing happens. People...I could not, with all my might, pull the two pieces of plastic apart. I was past angry...full on MAD now! I go to the garage and get my pruning shears. Ahhh, this cuts it a little better. I just have to make a thousand snips to get down one side. Now the other. OK, my little pretty, come to Mama! IT DOES NOT BUDGE !!! I am not making this up...it DOES NOT BUDGE! It is attached by a small ribbon of the industrial strength plastic to the back of the package with a grommet. Another cut through this and
FINALLY I am able to pull the tool from its resting place. Course, it will look better when I get the blood wiped off from my oozing fingers and hands. I take it and put it in its new home. Oh, yes, it looks very happy there.

This thing looks complicated. I know I will need some instructions. But I didn't see any in the package from 'that very HOT place we do not want to end up in'. I look around to see if I find any. and I don't. Huh, that's strange...surely they included instructions. Well, I can probably find some on the Internet. I just want to take this possessed packaging and get it out of my house. WAIT! there on the bottom of the package...is another little package in the shape of a triangle...properly SEALED TIGHT just like its companion. It is orange cardboard...and the writing is in yellow...REALLY easy to read! But, those words might be important. Find a magnifying glass...stand next to the window, twist my upper body, holding one foot against the bed to keep from falling...and manage to read...IMPORTANT! READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING!...and inside that little sealed triangle at the bottom, lie the instructions that will tell me how to use this 'most wonderful of tools that will be the only tool I'll ever need' to do anything I ever would want to do with crafting!

Is this being filmed? This has got to be a joke! But, no...it's all real...very real! And, because of the severe emotional and physical trauma I have undergone in the last hour and a half...I throw the instructions out the door, onto the deck and stomp upon them mightily, with a fierce vengeance. And, lo, they remained locked inside their cozy, protected home...laughing at me with glee and making all manner of snide remarks. Seeing a broken brick lying close by, I commence to pounding upon it with the little strength that is left in this frail body. It bends, and squishes a little...but BEHOLD! it's seal remains intact. Fine...into the bottom of the garbage can with all the weeks garbage you go!

And I suppose that package that is torn asunder at the top and covered in splattered blood, and still holding tightly to its directions for use at the bottom, is lying in some landfill...where it will sit until Jesus comes, because it will never break down into any usable substance. And then, I think it will be cast into the lake of fire, with the other demons...a very fitting end!
*************************************************************************
FYI---After regaining control of my senses, I decided to write the company that produces this tool and complain, in a nice, Christian way, about the trouble I had with their packaging. I also explained that I could not get the instructions out.
They answered the next day. They were "so sorry" about my difficulties in opening their product packaging. They sent me complete instruction for use. And vowed to "take into consideration" my complaints. Right.

KEEP SMILING....More Signs...

... DUH!?!
*******************************************************************************
Public Service Announcement
*******************************************************************************
Any Questions?
*******************************************************************************
I really can not think of a time that this may apply...can you?
*******************************************************************************
Hope you NOTICED something funny! Look for the funny side of life!

WHO'S IN CHARGE OF THE SIGNS?

***************************************************************
Hope I made you smile !!

THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING #22

Every little girl should have a Protector, a Hero, a Teacher, A Confidant, A Champion, An Encourager, a Provider, a Friend...in other words...a Daddy....
and that would truly be a beautiful thing. God Bless those who don't...may they look to their Heavenly Father who is all these things and more.

POP

One of the earliest photographs of myself shows me in my daddy's arms...riding with him on his motorcycle! Even from the very beginning of 'me', I have been shown that life is to be LIVED! Of course, I don't remember those days, but seeing pictures reminds me that these values were instilled in me from the start.
***********************************************************************************
When I was 4 years old, it was discovered that I had a serious heart condition that required open heart surgery to repair. That would have been 1957...none of the fancy heart machines and techniques that are available now. I have a scar that literally cuts me in half. It starts in the middle of my chest and ends in the middle of my back. The doctors knew it was risky and my parents knew it was risky...but my daddy made the decision saying,"I want her to live life to the fullest." And they operated...and it was successful. I LIVED!
***********************************************************************************
We were very involved in church, as long as I can remember. My sister and I would sit on either side of my Daddy. We could not be trusted to sit beside each other because Joy would always cause trouble and I would get blamed cause I was the oldest and it was just not fair! Now, he had his ideas about how children are to behave in church...and believe me...that is how we behaved. You sat when you were supposed to sit...you stood when you were supposed to stand...you listened when you were supposed to listen...and he better hear you singing when it was time to sing. You went to the bathroom before the service...never during. And since pencils make noise when you write with them on paper...there was no writing or drawing. And there was no snack time...and this included gum and candy. And be sure of this, the preacher was there to preach not to lull me into nap time! You better be walking instead of running in the sanctuary...and you better be talking in a quiet voice.
Now I could not tell you a thing that was said by any pastor we may have had during my childhood, but I can tell you this. Church is a place for worshipping God. You are to be reverent and on your best behavior. You wear your nicest clothes to God's house. You always show respect for the His house and when the pastor has a message to deliver to the congregation...you best be listening. And if I decided that these were not good rules to follow...or I tried to make my own rules...my leg right above my knee would have a nice bruise for a few days...and if I got pinched...you better believe I suffered in silence! I'm sure I didn't get many of those since I was such an easy, obedient child! The only time speaking was allowed was when the choir would enter. Joy and I would look at each other and cringe because we knew what was coming, "Look, there. there she is! The prettiest woman in the choir! Watch her...she's gonna smile...watch!" And sure enough, she would look over at her little family and smile and wink at us. Then came the end of the speech..."she's mine!" My daddy could not whisper...still cannot whisper...didn't even try to whisper! Cause, he did not care who heard him...he was proud of his wife and his girls.

We attended church if church doors were opened. Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Wednesday nights, several revivals throughout the year...and any other time that should come about. But, there was 1 night during the year...1 night we were able to skip church...1 night we could stay home and watch TV. Can you think of what it was for? If you are about my age, you will remember that The Wizard of Oz came on the Wonderful World of Disney once a year. And that was a special enough treat that Joy and Daddy and I would stay home and gather together in front of the TV and watch Dorothy and her friends waltz through Oz. Joy always cried at the flying monkeys...she was such a baby! We had snacks and munchkins and Daddy and his girls.
LIFE was pretty OK!
***********************************************************************************
My mom was involved in her Circle Meetings, a ladies group for missions and fellowship. They would meet at each other's homes once a month. One of the fondest memories I have is sitting at our kitchen table with Daddy and Joy and watching the cars as they drove down the street. We were watching to see when our Mama would get home. And the 3 of us would get so excited when her headlights turned into the driveway and she would be home again.
***********************************************************************************
From early on, I can remember that my Pop and I shared a love of books. I would delight in lying beside him in bed....he would read his book and I would read mine. I learned from him to love the written word. He taught me that all that was known in our world was written down somewhere. I could find out anything I wanted to know by reading. And, as I got older, we would talk of various topics. I need not be afraid to ask him about some way out theory such as visitors from other planets or other such nonsense. Together we would get a book and read and find the answer...and I could draw my own conclusions. With so much in life foreign to our little South Alabama town, books taught me about the fascinating ways that people LIVED in other places.
***********************************************************************************
Once when I was around 10 or 11, Mom and Pop decided I should go and visit my grandparents in Atlanta. And I...little ole me...right by myself...with no grown-ups...all alone...was going by AIRPLANE! Me?!...BY MYSELF! I was so scared...and so excited. No one...no one...that I knew had ever flown on a plane before. It was scary as could be and as exciting as could be. Could I really get in that big airplane...BY MYSELF...and fly all the way to the far off land of Atlanta, Georgia?
Would I live to tell about it? Would I land on the ground? Would my Uncle Paul be there when I got there? Could I fall out of the windows in the side of the plane?
We arrived at the airport...nervous was crawling all over me...maybe this was not going to be fun after all. My Daddy looked me in the eye and said, "If it was not safe, I would never let you get on there. Now go, and have fun...you can do it." And I did, I walked up the steps and got seated, and looked out the window and waved with all my might at my parents and sister...cause this was probably the last time I would ever see them since I was on this flying deathtrap! But, GOOD NEWS! I LIVED! I actually got into that airplane and it took off and I was in the air and I wasn't falling and the lady brought me peanuts and a coke and I had my own little table in front of me...and life was good! I even got a set of wings like the pilot's. I felt much older than 10....and I liked it! My Uncle was there to meet me, I had a good visit and was very disappointed when my parents came to pick me up instead of getting to fly back to Dothan. I was the envy of all my friends...I did something they had not done. "Scared? Who? ME?" "No, there wasn't anything scary about it at all! It was fun!" It was LIVING!
***********************************************************************************
I could go on and fill the Internet with stories, and perhaps I will tell some more later, but for now...

Thanks, Pop, for teaching AND showing me that life is to be LIVED TO THE FULLEST!
Anything less would be ungracious to the Giver of Life.

I love you, Tonja
====================================================================================
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body. But rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, cold drink in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming,"WOO! HOO! WHAT A RIDE!"
=====================================================================================
That would be my Pop! But, it would be some Carolina bar-b-que and a glass of sweet tea....and that skid would be on a dirt bike...

FROM CABINETS TO FURNITURE !

This morning, we met our builder, cabinet man, and architect at the new house at 8:30 to decide on all the cabinetry in the whole, entire house...every single room...main hose and apartment...one end to the other! WHEW! I am exhausted! It must be 95 degrees today and of course no air conditioning. BUT, sisters...I am not complaining. This is exciting and I praise God for giving us this opportunity! We are so fortunate to have these men working with us on this project. They are easy to get along with, and listen, and then figure out a way to get it done! My kind of men!

When we left there I asked Don to go into one furniture store with me. BIG MISTAKE!
We looked at every piece of furniture in the store...even though I just wanted him to look at one little chair for the studio. Then, we went to another store to compare, and again sat in and felt of every piece, then another store, then another , then another, and, since my ankles are now the size of pumpkins, Don says this can be the last store. All in 1 afternoon, people ! I have touched today every single piece of furniture in every single furniture store in town. I have seen so many leather couches, and upholstered chairs, and console tables, and ottomans...but not a single farm table that will seat 12! Oh well, we are going to have to get t built, I suppose!

Don is 6'4".....I am 5' 2"....most furniture is made for tall people or giants, as it were, What fits him swallows me whole. My feet hardly touched the floor on anything we sat on. And my thighs hurt, standing up, sitting down, up, down, up, down.

Now, I am at home, pajamas on, in bed, computer in my lap, Vivaldi playing in the background...and about to fall asleep.
So I will now give in...my lids are heavy, my legs hurt,...so I will sleep while visions of 20 colors of leather, floral red and yellow fabric, all green stripe,and furniture placement dance in my head, Either that, or I will sleep so deep, dreams can not invade. Good night, friends,

NEW BLOGGER

Allow me to introduce to you my friend, Andi. She has decided to join the ranks with the rest of us in this community of friends known mostly through the Internet. However, she is among those who I am proud to say that I know IRL. as well. We met this year when she became my aide for the last few months of school. Even though she is 'several' years younger than I, we hit it off as soon as we met. At least I think we did...she actually may have thought me a crazy old lady and just humored me until our time was up! :-) Well, even if she DID, I thoroughly enjoyed our time together. She has the most adorable set of boys...3 to be exact...who come next in line to that other adorable set of 3 boys that blessed my home. And, I musn't forget her sweet husband...I hope she'll tell you the story of how they met and fell in love.

Go here to visit with her. Her blog is called Fingerprints On The Glass. It is listed on my sidebar, also. I
think you will enjoy getting to know her. She is a dynamic Christian, serving the Lord, and giving Him the glory for her blessings. There is only one negative that I can think of....well, OK, there's 2. One...she can not be an aide for me next year because she would rather have a classroom all to herself. She accepted a position as a kindergarten teacher in our school. My personal loss..the school's gain. Oh and the other thing...she's like a size 0...which makes me look all the larger next to her. She runs and eats right and all that good stuff...and she wears the highest heels ever. She can actually go places in them, too. Not at all like me. Sure, I can wear them, too.....while I am sitting down, but if you want me to move anywhere, give me a pair of tennis shoes. She and I share a love for purses...except for that white one she got from her friend Shani...

Well, you just go meet her and make her feel welcome! Thanks!

LAUGH A LITTLE !!!

Due to a power outage, only one paramedic responded to a call of immenent childbirth. The house was very dark so the paramedic asked Kathleen, a 3-yr old girl to hold a flashlight high over her mommy so he could see while he helped deliver the baby.

Very diligently, Kathleen did as she was asked. Heidi pushed and pushed and after a little while, Connor was born.

The paramedic lifted him by his little feet and spanked him on his bottom. Connor began to cry. The paramedic then thanked Kathleen for her help and asked the wide-eyed 3-yr old what she thought about what she had just witnessed.

Kathleen quickly responded, 'He shouldn't have crawled in there in the first place, smack his butt again!'

SERIOUS WATER WARNING

Sorry to blog about such a sad thing today, but I saw this report and wanted to pass it along to you. I know I have some readers that have small children and some of you have grandchildren. I did not even know this could happen..had never heard of it before. Please be careful, and pass this news along.
**********************************************************************************
By Mike Celizic
TODAYShow.com contributor
updated 8:58 a.m. CT, Thurs., June. 5, 2008
The tragic death of a South Carolina 10-year-old more than an hour after he had gone swimming has focused a spotlight on the little-known phenomenon called “dry drowning” — and warning signs that every parent should be aware of.

“I’ve never known a child could walk around, talk, speak and their lungs be filled with water,” Cassandra Jackson told NBC News in a story broadcast Thursday on TODAY.

On Sunday, Jackson had taken her son, Johnny, to a pool near their home in Goose Creek, S.C. It was the first time he’d ever gone swimming — and, tragically, it would be his last.

At some point during his swim, Johnny got some water in his lungs. He didn’t show any immediate signs of respiratory distress, but the boy had an accident in the pool and soiled himself. Still, Johnny, his sister and their mother walked home together.

“We physically walked home. He walked with me,” Jackson said, still trying to understand how her son could have died. “I bathed him, and he told me that he was sleepy.”

Later, she went into his room to check on him. “I walked over to the bed, and his face was literally covered with this spongy white material,” she said. “And I screamed.”

A family friend, Christine Meekins, was visiting and went to see what was wrong. “I pulled his arm and said, ‘Johnny! Johnny!’ ” Meekins told NBC. “There was no response. I opened one of his eyes and I just knew inside my heart that it was something really bad.”

Johnny was rushed to a local hospital, but it was too late. Johnny had drowned, long after he got out of the swimming pool.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, some 3,600 people drowned in 2005, the most recent year for which there are statistics. Some 10 to 15 percent of those deaths was classified as “dry drowning,” which can occur up to 24 hours after a small amount of water gets into the lungs. In children, that can happen during a bath.

Dr. Daniel Rauch, a pediatrician from New York University Langone Medical Center, told TODAY’s Meredith Vieira that there are warning signs that every parent should be aware of. Johnny Jackson exhibited some of them, but unless a parent knows what to look for, they are easily overlooked or misinterpreted.

The three important signs, he said, are difficulty breathing, extreme tiredness and changes in behavior. All are the result of reduced oxygen flow to the brain.

Johnny had two of those signs — he was very tired when he got home, and he had had the accident in the pool. But like most parents, Cassandra Jackson had no idea this could be related to water in his lungs.

Rauch said that the phenomenon of dry drowning is not completely understood. But medical researchers say that in some people, a small amount of inhaled water can have a delayed-reaction effect.

“It can take a while for the process to occur and to set in and cause difficulties,” Rauch said. “Because it is a lung process, difficulty breathing is the first sign that you would be worried about.”

The second sign is extreme fatigue, which isn’t always easy to spot. “It’s very difficult to tell when your child is abnormally tired versus normal tired after a hot day and running around in the pool,” Rauch said. “The job of the lungs is to get oxygen into the blood and your brain needs oxygen to keep working, so when your brain isn’t getting oxygen, it can start doing funny things. One of them is becoming excessively tired, losing consciousness and the inability to be aroused appropriately.”

Finally, there are changes in behavior, Rauch said — another tough call when dealing with very small children, whose moods and behavior can change from one minute to the next.

“Another response of the brain to not getting oxygen is to do different things,” Rauch explained, saying parents should be concerned “if your child’s abnormally cranky, abnormally combative — any dramatic change from their normal pattern.”

He admitted, “It is very difficult to pick this up sometimes.” But spotting the warning signs and getting a suspected victim to an emergency room can save a life, he added.

Victims of dry drowning are treated by having a breathing tube inserted so that oxygen can be supplied under pressure to the lungs. “Then we just wait for the lung to heal itself,” he said.

But for Cassandra Jackson, it’s knowledge gained too late. She and Meekins sat in her home, looking at pictures of the bright and happy son who was no more.

“He was very loving, full of life,” the grieving mother said. “That was my little man.”
***********************************************************************************
SOURCE: www.msnbc.msn.....health

THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING #21

Aren't these the most amazing things? How careful would you have to be not to break it and have to start over? I think I would have a big box of broken crayons!
These are done by artist Pete Goldlust...and yes, they are just regular crayons.
*********************************************************************************
What to do with that big box of broken crayons? This is an old kindergarten trick.
Using an old muffin tin, spray with vegetable spray. Then in each indention, fill with broken crayons. You can do all the same color...or mix colors. My favorite way is to mix differing shades of the same color. You can even add glitter to some. Then place in oven at 275 degrees and let them completely melt...7-8 minutes. Watch them carefully! If you mixed colors, you may want to stir with a toothpick for a nice swirled effect...or just leave in color blobs. Remove and they will harden up into a wonderful crayon chunk! Now start coloring your heart out! NOTE!!!! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO STAY INSIDE THE LINES !!!

Variation: Use metal cookie cutters which have been placed flat on a foil lined cookie sheet. Fill with crayons, and proceed with directions above.

A DIFFERENT SET OF DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES

HAPPY SATURDAY!

WHO HAS THE BRAINS?

I have quite a bit of arthritis in my hips and back, and some bursitis as well. The Dr. has given me meds and pain patches to wear. But, sometimes, nothing works as well as plain ole aspirin and a heating pad. I think heat can work wonders....well, it does for me.

I have just bought a new heating pad because I had used the one I had until it was about falling apart. I could turn it on HI..MED...LO...and there it would stay till I decided to turn it off. Not so with the new one. I turned it on HI yesterday...well, it got warm, but never really hot like my old one. But, I placed it on my hip anyway thinking it may just take a while to warm up. In about 10 minutes, I realized that I was not feeling it at all. I looked down and sure enough, the red light had gone off. I must have turned it off accidentally as I turned in the bed. So, I fired it up again....it got warm....it got cool....light went out. So, I figure I've got a defective heating pad here...and start to put it away to return to the store. Oh, can't forget to put the instructions back in...I mean, really, how hard can it be? You plug it in and turn it on Hi and turn it down when it gets too hot...right?

So, just in case there was some new fangled way to regulate the heating pad...I'll take a look at the instructions. I will read the instructions. I will try to figure out what the instructions mean. I see that the instructions say that this $13.95 heating pad from Wal-Mart is smarter than I am. It will do the thinking for me! It will decide when I have had enough heat on my whatever...and it will turn itself off! IT will decide!?! I am the person in pain...I am the one who is taking medication and applying heat. I am the one who goes to see the DR. and THE HEATING PAD WILL DECIDE WHEN I FEEL BETTER?!? It states that all the danger is taken out now; just apply the heat and wait for it to tell you that you feel better. And, really, I don't even think you should call it 'heat'. Something is very wrong with this situation.
It reminds me of an iron I bought a few years back, an expensive iron, an iron said to be one of the best. But, it never got HOT! It would get warm, but never really hot enough to destroy the wrinkles on those 100% cotton Ralph Lauren Button Down Collar Long Sleeved Dress Shirts that everyone in my house but me wore. Now, you need some serious heat when you have 4 of those to iron before church on Sunday morning. That iron lasted about a week before it went to the place where irons go to die...under the bathroom sink, with about 5 others. Why do I keep them if they don't work? Because it had only lived at my house for a week, and I spent too much money on it to throw it away, that would totally tear my dear frugal hubby out of the frame. So, it quietly moves to the under sink burying grounds. Somehow, DH feels better about the situation if it can continue to live with us for a while. At least the money we spent on it gave it a nice sink to live under. What good is an iron that cycles itself to cool when it reaches a certain temp? Does it not realize that I need to iron more than just the sleeves on 1 shirt? 4 men waiting...not patiently...don't understand, either.
I had a very similar experience with an electric blanket I bought last year. It would heat for 10 minutes, then turn itself off until it somehow discerned that I was cold enough again and then...AND ONLY THEN...would it turn back on. UGGH!!!
It found a new home for $5.00 at my last garage sale. Which is where those irons are going to end up, too.

However...the heating pad will not make it to the garage sale. And it will not clutter up the table beside my bed. It is already out of my sight! I wrapped it up nicely in newspaper, and put it on the bottom of the outside garbage can....just in case anyone was curious...they'd never take anything out of there! When the big garbage truck came by today, and picked up our can and slowly lifted it into the air over the big hole in the middle, and ever so gently emptied the contents into it, I saw the neatly wrapped package of frustration fall into the pit of the garbage truck. And soon, someone else's garbage fell on top of it. And, LO, I rejoiced with exceeding good cheer! It got its proper reward. Yes, maybe I should have let it live under the sink with the irons for a while, but, I'm just thinking of it as sending it away...on a paid vacation to that big land fill on the outskirts of town. I just think it's a kinder, gentler way of letting go.

WHO WOULD YOU SAVE?

I know I am usually not political on this blog, but this was too good not to pass along to you.....sent to me by my DIL.....


*******************************************************

Hillary and Obama were on a raft

going down the Colorado river.

The river was extremely rough.

The raft capsized and both were swept downstream.

Who was saved?
*******************************************************


(aciremA)

TO CHINA...AND BACK...WITH LOVE

I have a dear friend who is sitting on pin and needles waiting for the call from China to come and get her daughter! Can you imagine? She has seen pictures and has sent her gifts, but so far, she has not been able to hold her and kiss her and love her. Check out her website here, to see the beautiful Sophie.

Sherrie and her husband are raising 2 young men who will be big brothers, protectors, and teachers to their little sister. The whole family will be going to China to pick up their newest family member! Is that not the most wonderful summer vacation ever?

Please pray for them as they wait...trying to stay calm and carry on normal life while waiting for the call of a lifetime.

God has had His hand on this from the beginning, and we are all excited to see what all He has in store!

HANG IN THERE , SHERRIE!!!!

EVERY KIND OF HAPPY.....

This is what I ate for breakfast...

This is what I drank my Diet Dr. Pepper in...

This is on my body.....

These are on my feet.....

IF I should feel like cooking today...I'll use this...


"NANNY**NANNY**BOO*BOO*****NANNY**NANNY**BOO**BOO*****NANNY**NANNY**BOO**BOO*****"

Yeah, Yeah, I am doing a happy dance! Right here in the den! OOOOH! Life is good and all is well at this moment in time. Our architect called Don and told him that I had, indeed, checked with him before I ordered the kitchen piece...AND he had OKed it! AND, his plan was to move the door a few inches and he had just not told the builder yet! I am happy! I am not dumb as dirt! I did not go stupid! I can use a ruler! I can add more than just up to the number of fingers I have! Oh, yes, this is a HAPPY DAY !



"I was right !!!!"

WHY DO I BLOG?

Isn't that a good question to ask yourself? My friend, Robin, shared her reasons today and she got me thinking. Why do I do this blogging thing, anyway"

I blog because I think I have something to say that could benefit another person. I have been thru quite a few trials and I truly believe what God said in 2 Corinthians, Chapter 1, verses 3 and 4..."Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all compassion, and the God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." I think from these verses it is clear that we should share the lessons we have learned from going thru trials and troubles. If God has comforted us, then we must comfort others.

I blog because I have an urge to create. I really enjoy thinking about and planning what to blog about. I enjoy doing a series of articles on one subject such as I did for a week around Mother's Day. But, not always. Sometimes, I just blog straight from the heart with no conscious thinking about how it may sound...until I read it back. This can be a very cathartic thing and it helps me understand what I truly feel about certain things.

I blog because I am a teacher at heart. I love to share new things that I have learned. And I love to learn. So, in some of my posts you may get a little lesson about a subject as well as my feelings about it. Our world is full of such fantastic and wonderful things that we have no clues about. I love it when I stumble upon a new idea or reason that I did not know. I feel suddenly so wise, and that's what I like to share. I tend to think if some new info excites me, surely it would excite some of you, too. It's just the teacher in me, I guess.

I blog because I want to document some of my experiences. I have some stories to tell, and I want to get them told before I go all senile and goofy. I believe this verse tells us to do that. It is found in Psalms 78:4-6..."We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His powers and the wonders He has done...so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn will tell their children." God has been so good to us and blesses us so graciously. He has healed 2 of my children from devastating illness and we believe He will heal the third. He has kept all His promises...He has met our every need. I want to testify that He is good...all the time.

I blog because I enjoy people. As I have grown in maturity (though some may question that)I have learned that there are people who feel as strongly , though differently, as I do about some things. My ideas may not always be right...and I am willing to listen and learn and test other people's viewpoints. It is fun to hear from my blogging buddies in other parts of the country and even other parts of the world. We can be very different...but we can be very alike.

I blog because the people in this house sometimes get tired of hearing me talk and you can read me or not and I will never know but I still feel good because I got to say it, and they feel good because they don't have to listen, and I feel even better when you leave me a comment. Got all that?

Now...why do YOU blog?

Gatherings

HAPPY BIRTHDAY , ADAM

This is the day, in 1975, that I became a mother. My first boy came into the world,and changed our lives forever. Here he is at the beach with his beautiful wife, Suzanne. They make a beautiful pair, and a wonderful team!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ADAM!