IT'S MUSIC TIME !

I have spent the last 3 days working on the spring musicals we do at our school. As the music teacher, one of my jobs is to prepare the program and teach it to the children. I am sure most of you don't know this, (and why should you?) but there is very, very little in the way of musical programs for the younger child. Much more is available for the older children. So, many years ago, I started writing my own programs. I pick a theme, and begin compiling available music from different sources. Then, I will add in poems, and Bible verses relating to the theme. This is when my real work starts. Because there is not enough to choose from, I start writing songs...words and music or just words, sometimes. This way, I can get across the message I want to and don't have to rely on music that doesn't quite fit. I actually love this part. We do 4 programs in May, so that means I prepare 3 different programs. Of course, some of the songs overlap, which helps. But it all needs to be age appropriate. We have a group of 66 kindergartners who are graduating...so for that program, that means 66 parts! Wow!

This is the year I am going to retire, after teaching there for 20 years. So, this is the last program I will do. That is a bittersweet statement for me. Even though I know this is the right decision, it is going to be hard to go. God has so blessed me with a perfect job, a perfect boss, perfect co-workers, and semi-perfect children!
Going to work is not like going to work...it is like a fun time with friends and family. I will miss it. But, I'm putting that out of my head for now...there's work to be done...music to be taught...and songs to be sung!

CLOTHESLINES

FUN WITH CHOCOLATE

Is there any more perfect food than rich, creamy chocolate? Personally, I think it is THE perfect food. But, it's much more than that!

Of course, it is divine to EAT. Nothing tastes better!

Have you ever had one of these molten lava cakes? To die for!

Mama said not to PLAY with my food...but in the case of chocolate dominos...I'd be tempted to play first...then eat!

And, this does not seem like a bad idea either...BATHE in it!

And, with this calculator...you could actually WORK with it!


And, now, thanks to my DIL, Suzanne, we are going to play a little math game. I generally try to stay away from any thing that causes me to have to 'borrow and carry or multiply and divide'...but, in this case, since she called it CHOCOLATE MATH, I'll give it a try!

WARNING!!!!!Don't cheat by scrolling down to the end. This will only take a few seconds....and it's fun! Since I teach preschool, and we only count as high as the number of fingers we have...I needed to use a calculator...but, you'll probably be fine without one...Here goes...Now work it out as you go along...

1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to
have chocolate (more than once but fewer than 10)


2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)


3. Add 5


4. Multiply it by 50 -- I'll wait while you get the calculator...it's ok.


5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1759 ...
If you haven't, add 1758..


6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.


You should have a three digit number






The first digit of this was your original number
(i.e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week).





The next two numbers are

YOUR AGE! (Oh YES, it is!!!!!)

THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2009) IT WILL EVER WORK, SO SPREAD IT AROUND
WHILE IT LASTS.

This 'yummy' diversion was brought to you by:
and her DIL.

THIS AND THAT

Thought I would share a little of my Easter decor with you. Here is that cute Lila Bunny who followed me home from Moutrie, and you can see the garland that we had to work hard to get! But, it was worth it! I love it all put together. This is on the foyer table coming in my front door.






The weather here was yucky today. It was pretty bad this morning with tornados and severe thunderstorms all around us. The weather folks say it will be the same for the next few days. Not my first choice of weather for the end of my Spring Break! However, since there are a few projects I want to complete inside...maybe it is a good thing after all...as long as there is NO lightning! That would totally distract me.

I also found out a childhood friend of mine was buried today. I do not have any of the details. I spent many nights at her home...we grew up together...and played together...and went to school together. I wish I had known earlier so I could be at her funeral.

SPRING BREAK

Oh! Yeah! I'm really getting into this Spring Break! I am here to declare that I intend to stay 'on break' until Sunday! Just so you know...

Come on, join me! Everything you HAVE to do will wait...or someone else will do it. RELAX...READ A BOOK...EAT SOME ICE CREAM...from the carton even! You deserve a break!

TRAIN UP A CHILD...

During my friend, Tina's birthday party, one of the gifts she recieved was a plate with a portion of scripture on it. My friend, Rhonda, asked if anyone knew the rest of the verse. Several of us chimed in and finished out the rest of the words. Somehow the conversation got around to waaaaaay back when we were in GA's. For those of you that are not of the Southern Baptist persuasion, GA's stood for Girl's Auxillary...later to become Girls in Action. This was a girl's missions group that met every week. We would learn about missionaries and their work all over the world. At one point way, way back...you could achieve different levels in the group depending on the steps you completed. There was a watchword and several different verses that we repeated every week. That, for me, was at least 45 years ago. 45!!! But, when Rhonda said, "Can you remember the rest of this one?"....I could. And, I have not thought of that verse in ...well...45 years! "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6. Those words just poured out of my mouth. And, we went on and repeated the Aim and the Watchword, and the other things we had learned so many years ago. And for the most part...both of us remembered almost all the words. Our pastor and his wife were at the party and they had brought their 2 children...grade school age. Our friend Ron, who teaches children in our church, looked at them and said, "See, you'll remember the things you are learning now, just like that, when you are old!"

Well, I don't know about the 'old' part...but, I'm here to say this: the things you learn and forget you ever knew, are still locked away in there. There is no telling what will cause you to bring it to the forefront of your memory...but, if you need it ... it will be there. I am so happy to know that I still remembered those verses. And, it causes me to think of all the verses my children have memorized over the years. Those things will be with them forever, too.

Parents, be sure the things you put into your children's memory bank are worthy of recalling 40 or 50 years later. Let them be sweet memories...stories of Jesus...words that will heal and help...verses to remind them of early days spent learning of Him.

FUN & FRIVOLITY with FRIENDS & FAMILY

Tina and I set off on a day trip to Moultrie with Tina's daughter, sweet Amy, as our companion and driver. Only on the rural roads in Alabama and Georgia would you be held up by such as this. We must have passed 3 or 4 during our trip. We also saw a deer or 2 run cross our path, and a good 'ole boy State Trooper who, thank goodness, was not in the mood to give out tickets! Of course, the prayers from the passengers and the driver could have had something to do with it, too!
Here is our P.I.T. crew...Amy, Jolie, and Jayna. J and J are Shirley's daughters. But, I claim all 3, too! Our mission for the day was a local craft show, some junking, and lunch and shopping downtown. And, we accomplished it all!
On the streets of Moultrie. I do not know what that looks like in my hands...kind of like a green tumbleweed. But, it is 2 strands of garland we bought off the wall from a lady who didn't own the store, and didn't know the price and didn't really know if she should sell it. But, she did...I mean, really now, she didn't stand a chance up against the likes of the 6 of us. We were not going to leave without the garland...and she really wanted to get back to her beauty shop next door. And, I paid for it in the restaurant. I know it sounds confusing...but, I promise...it was all legal. And the garland looks extremely nice in the Creek House, thank-you very much! FYI: Really...don't try to figure it out.
Now, would you just look at this sweet rabbit that jumped up in my lap to have her picture made with us! Her name was Lila...and she wanted very much to live in Dothan. So, we obliged!

We had a wonderful day, as we always do when we are together! Went back by Shirl's house to see the rest of the family. Learned to do the Hippity Hoppity Dance from Little Gabby, and almost got to read a book with her! We headed home...slower...and made it here by dark! Great day! Hope you feel better, Shirl!

Today, we went to church. And afterward went out to eat with Tina, Buddy, Jim and Jan. Since today was Tina's official birthday, we managed to make her a spectacle in Applebee's by telling them it was her birthday. Don't ya just hate it when they start all that clapping and singing? The free desert is nice, though!

Then, this afternoon was a special time for my niece, Lori. Joy's youngest daughter is getting married in May, and our dear friend, Patty, headed up a shower for her, assisted by the girl's in their Sunday School class.

Here is beautiful Lori. She is a psychologist here in Dothan.
Lori enjoyed opening her wonderful gifts. Next to her are Joy and Mom. Sorry, Tara, I didn't get you in the pic. OOPS.
Patty and I being silly around the food table. Lori loves lemons, so there was lemonade, lemon cake, lemon squares, etc. All yummy!
The 2 prettiest girls there...Lori and her Granny!

Whew! I think I need to put my feet up and rest! Good thing next week is spring break!

FIRST DAY OF SPRING

"LOOK!" The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the sound of the singing of birds
is heard in our land.
The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance."
Song of Songs 2:11-13a

AWARD TIME

"The blogs that receive this award are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers."
Thank you, Sharon, for this award. I pray that I am worthy of it. My prayer is that I always shine His light in all I do.

If you are not a reader of "God's Child", Sharon's blog, please know that there you will find God's word and wonderful inspiration for daily living. She blesses me so often with her writings.




This award is for blogs that show kindness and sweetness in their entries.

A big thanks to Jennifer for passing on this award to me. I so enjoy reading about the adventures of her family in Michigan. She is a dedicated Christian, and shares Christ through her blog.

CREEK HOUSE ADDITIONS

Since Don hung this Chinese window screen for me, I have been looking for the perfect piece to go underneath it. I have searched the stores here and online, but could not find anything that struck my fancy. Because we were entertaining last weekend, I renewed my search. I had just about given up, when I made a stop at one last place. Walking through the extremely crowded furniture store, it is easy to miss something. So, I went through twice and, on my second pass, I spotted this chest...or rather, I spotted the corner of it. There were 2 chairs and another table in front of it, so it was hard to get a good look at it. It was originally $680...and marked down to $339. Good deal, but, I still wasn't sure. I had not planned to get anything with a design on it...I wanted just a plain chest. So, I left, and got in my car...then I got right back out and went in and bought it! To my surprise, the clerk told me, that there was a sale going on and it was reduced another $100! I had them wrap it up and put it in my car.

It is very heavy, even though it is small. I was so anxious to see it in the house, to see if I had made a good choice or not. I knew that I was going to have to call Adam or Ian to come and get it out for me. But, when I got home, the son of a dear friend of mine happened to be at my house picking up some box springs to deliver to my niece. Now, he is a strong young man...and one of the nicest guys you'll ever want to meet. He and Ian grew up together in church. Justin is married and has the cutest little girl. Anyway...I asked him to help, and he carried it in for me. I unwrapped it and I LOVED IT! It looks as if it was just made for this wall.
Things with designs on them puzzle me sometimes, because I do not want there to be too much going on. But, this looks perfect to me! Here is a close-up of the painting on the front.A small portion of the design is repeated on the sides also. I added a portion of my bird collection to the top to coordinate with the design.

Don't you just love it when you make a purchase and it turns out to be just exactly what you wanted...even if you weren't sure exactly what it was you wanted?
__________________________________________________________________
I had a painting that I bought to go on this wall that I really loved...and still do. My DH, however, did not share my appreciation of this fine piece of art. I began looking for something else to hang there, and this is a painting that I found. It is by Matthew Mertzer and is a layering process of colors upon colors. I really love it. And it has all the colors we are using in our home.It is hanging above an antique Chinese desk that came from the Mongolian area of China...appr.300 years old.


__________________________________________________________________
I FINALLY got the picture I brought back from Savannah last year hung in the foyer. Remember...it is the one I carried on my head all the way home! Yes, I know you can see my lovely reflection in the full shot, but, I wanted you to see it over the Chinese butcher's table. You can get a better idea of the colors in the next pic.


____________________________________________________________
This is a photograph on canvas Don and I purchased on our trip to Maui last October. We had it stretched onto canvas, and Don has it hanging in his office. Aren't the colors magnificent?

Nothing like a party to get little details finished up!

THE SURPRISE PARTY

A few weeks ago the daughter of one of my best friends, Amy, called and asked if I would help her with her Mom's 60th birthday party. I said that I would love to and the next question was if I could have it at the Creek House. A wonderful excuse to have our first party in our new home. So, we have been working on plans, and meeting secretly to get everything ready And, yesterday was the day! And what a day it was!
This screen was beside my front door. We cut out her initials and hung them there.

This is a view coming up my front walkway.

Myself and Tina. She was very surprised!

And this is her beautiful daughter Amy. How sweet of her to want to make her Mom's day special.

This is the 'Oh so elegant' cake. Bottom layer-buttercream...middle layer-strawberry...top layer-key lime. All-yummy!!!

Mantle decorations...I covered the letters of her name with moss. I used some of my mercury glass, red roses in black vases, and white candles.

One of the table floral arrangements...I think they turned out very well...I'm not the best at flower arrangements.

These are 2 more of our friends. Jan on left, and Shirley, our bestest Moultrie buddy, on the right. Shirley drove over from Moultrie, GA. yesterday morning, and spent the night with me. Jan lives here and came over, too, to help us get ready. Jan coordinated all the food. Thank goodness that was not my job! Amy wanted balloons...lots of balloons...150 to be exact. Several of us took turns blowing them up with a helium tank. They were everywhere...but surely added to the festivities! Don and Buddy had to pop them all when the party was over! Jan and Shirley did some potting and decorating outside. They pulled together a great outside mantle display. And, Shirley helped me put some finishing touches on the house. She can do the most in the least amount of time! Thanks, Shirl and Jan!

Yes! Don't pass out! It's ME---COOKING! See, I can do it if I need to! :) Actually, I am preparing the chocolate for the fruit fondue! Kiwi, strawberries, and marshmallows...and wonderful, rich, dark chocolate to dip them in! To die for!

Don got in on the preparations, too. There are LOTS of leaves falling around this yard! And, into the pool!!!

And, this is our lovely table! Isn't it festive looking? Chicken salad, congealed salad, grape salad, Texas Caviar, 3 kinds of sandwiches, 7 layer salad, chips and dip, cheese and crackers, fruit, and cake...all delicious!

Fun around the outside table in the covered porch. Very cozy, even though it was raining!

And this is the Davis family...Amy, Tina, and Buddy. Wonderful people...terrific friends...a joy to know and call 'friends'.

Buddy took Tina home after church today, and then blindfolded her, and put her in the car...telling her to ask no questions. The rest of the guests came over immediately after church.We were all gathered at the front door when Buddy brought her up the steps...still blindfolded. We all burst into a rousing version of "Happy Birthday"...and she yanked off the blindfold. Many of her dearest friends were here, and her brother, Tim, and his wife, Becky drove over from Fitzgerald, Ga. That was an extra special treat for her. Total we had 28 friends here. There were
4 other couples who were invited that could not attend due to sickness. We missed having them with us, but we partied on anyway.

Tina, Happy Birthday to you, my sweet friend! I am a better person because you are in my life. You are an inspiration to the many people who know you and call you friend. We can count on you to give sage advice, to uplift us with your kindness, and to always be there with a helping hand when needed.

Amy, your gift to your Mom is much more than this party. You have shown her the respect and devotion she deserves. You have given her the gift that counts most of all...your understanding of the role she has played in your life. You have filled her heart with joy. I'm proud of you...and I know she is as well. Way to go, girl!
______________________________________________________________________
Adam was there to make photos of the event. He just added a link to all the pics at the top of my side bar. Just click on the pic and it will take you to the reswt of the pictures. Thanks Adam!