My Ice Skating Adventure

On a recent trip to a small town close by Honey and I discovered the town had set up an outdoor ice skating rink. Now that may not sound like much of an accomplishment unless you understand that we are in Georgia. Honey declined the opportunity to skate but did watch and take pictures. I was not the most graceful skater there but I had a wonderful time. Except for the part where I fell down and small children came to help me up. At least they had good manners though.

Well Christmas has finished and we are moving toward the New Year. I am looking forward to a chance to start and finish something good.....I mean what could be wrong with good music and dancing.

As we move to a new year, I pray for all, peace and a better tomorrow. Sometimes today isn't what we want,but tomorrow may be better. That is all we can ask for.

Christmas Day

What a wonderful day it has been. I had the pleasure of talking to my Baby Brother (who isn't a baby anymore) and my Dear Mom and Dad. Honey cooked breakfast for me, and it was wonderful. Egg in toast and sausage. Then started on our dinner. We had ham, parsley potatoes and garden peas. Of course there is plenty of ham left for several more meals. Since it was Christmas we set the table up by the Christmas and listened to Christmas carols.

We used the dishes from my Mimi. She gave them to me when she moved. They bring back such happy memories for me every time we use them. We had pie and coffee for desert.

Well the great adventure to Mississippi is over..Honey and are home again. What a wonderful feeling. Of course there is much to do at home to recover and get back to our normal life. I am happy to report that we had a wonderful visit with Dear Ad (Honey's Son). He is such a fine young man and we are so proud of him. He will be starting college next year. We also enjoyed our visit with Loving Mom In Law and her pets Duke and Duchess. I am not so sure Duke and Duchess enjoyed us though. Old pets often don't care for change. Our pets were happy when we got home and we are looking forward to a pleasent day tomorrow together. It should be a quiet and pleasant Christmas Day.

As Santa once said...."Merry Christmas to all...And to all a Good Night"!

Another picture from the recent family gathering. Thanks so much to Aunt T and Mark for having us all over. We never gather quiet as often as we should, but we do enjoy it when we do get together.

The future I think?? I remember my Aunts and Uncles when my cousins were babies. That they are now GrandParents??!! Wow!! This is just too much to believe. My Uncle John and Haywood. It is more than I can fathom.

My dear brother and his lovely wife. I do love him and I feel so lucky that he married such a wonderful person. She is the sister I always wanted.

So what is new... Me and a Mut. Well it is almost always a well behaved Mut. Got to luv it. She is just too cute for words..even when she jumped on the table. Well what else could you expect from a puppy..dog. She was trying her best.

My Dear

She is such a darling. Who could not hug this child,,,,,she is sooooo sweet...but we wont tell the other Soldiers... I know the deal... I am just so proud of her and all she is trying to do.... What A Lady..She is of course.

Honey and I are soon on our way.

We are so pleased to have the opportunity to visit a high school friend of DD. She was in JR ROTC and joined the Army when she graduated. She is now at Ft. Lee finishing her training. We are so very proud of this young woman. She is looking for oppoutunities and is not afraid to work for what she wants. The young people I have met thru DD's band and JR ROTC and Youth Group and really impressed me. Not that they are all good or perfect. Like all of us they are only human. But they are so willing to pay into our country and try to improve it. It gives me hope for the future.

How could you have Christmas without a Nativity? This is one of several I have but since we are cutting down this year it is the only one I put up. The Angel is my favorite part, well, one of my favorite parts. I mean what can compare to the Baby Jesus and Mary and of course Joseph. And the Wise Men and Shepherd and all of the animals. Oh, never mind, they are all my favorites. I can't pick just one. They are all part of the most beautiful story ever told.

Monday Again

For years I have tried to determine my favorite season and holiday. Spring is such a special time when all is Reborn….and Easter when we are all given a chance to be Reborn too. Summer…how could you not like days spent at the lake, creek, river or ocean. Time spent with family and friends when there was no hurry. Fall…. I was born in the fall. For many it is a time when things die. For me it is a time of rebirth. When things go to sleep and rest until the time comes for them to bloom again. Then there is winter when everything seems to rest. We all need to rest. I think this has been one of the hardest lessons for me to learn… take time to rest…not just your body but your spirit. Now I am trying to learn to rest my spirit. It is not easy for me but I am trying. I am blessed to have Dear Mom and Dad, Brother and Family and last but not least my Dear Honey. He is really working hard to make this a Happy Holiday for all. I could not ask for more.

Honey helped me put the lights on the porch this weekend. It is nice to have a tall husband. Some years I have gone all out with trees in every room and lights in every tree in the yard. This year I had thought we wouldn't bother at all, but Honey was really disappointed. So we agreed to a much smaller celebration since it is just the two of us now. While I miss all the decorating, I haave enjoyed spending more time listening to Christmas music and looking at what other people do. I know the day will come when I will go all out again, I just have to learn to enjoy what I have at the present time.

We are almost ready!

I finally finished getting my tree up. Honey and I decided on a small tree this year since it would be just the two of us. Of course I still put out my snow globes. And Christmas wouldn't be complete without my Nativity.

A visit from DD and GranCat

Yesterday I was fortunate to have a visit with DD and the GranCat. Lady Elizabeth is such a sweet cat. After playing with a toy mouse she took a nap while DD and I watched "Calander Girls". It was nice to be able to sit and talk and laugh and cry through a movie.

My confused flowers

Imagine my surprise when I found flowers blooming in the yard in December. Our magnolia also has a bloom. Usually we don't have flowers again until February or March but this year we were blessed early. It was so nice to find a bit of beauty at this dreary time of year.

DH's Thanksgiving/Christmas cactus has started to bloom. It is actually three plants in one and usually blooms from just before Thanksgiving until after Christmas. The different colors in the plants make it beautiful and interesting. It is in a pot with a shrimp plant that blooms all summer. Every year we think it will be the last year for this plant but it continues to thrive.

Well, another long day. We are in MS visiting my DMIL and DSS. We are doing chores for DMIL while we are here. (Those things that are hard for one person to do). It has been going well and we have accomplished a lot. She is really a nice lady and we love her dearly so it is nice to be able to do things for her. I have also been able to spend a lot of time talking with her. I know where Honey gets his sense of humor now. Tonight Honey and I have a date. He promised to take me out for Po'Boys and Gumbo. I have tried to cook them at home, but it just isn't the same. He is spending quality time with DS now (working on a car). I am so glad they have this time together and still enjoy each other's company. More to follow after we got home.

What a day to be Thankul for.

DH and I got up and headed for Mississippi for Thanksgiving Dinner with his Dear Son and Dear Mom. Most of the dinner was cooked and we took it with us. I finished cooking after we got here and we had a very pleasent meal. "Lil T" was wonderful. Both of us are exhausted so we are resting now. In the morning we will get up and start working at his DM's home.

Sparkly Pink Heart Square

This is my latest quilt square. I am ready to start the next one. This project is moving along, unlike some others. Honey and I went to the grocery store tonight. We got all I think we need for Thanksgiving. Of course I will find something that is missing.

Christmas Cactus

Honey's Christmas Cactus has started to bloom. It is actually three plants combined. He has such a green thumb. There was a time when I had a green thumb, but no more. For the last few years I have killed every plant I touched, so I turned plant care over to him.

We are going to visit his Dear Son for the Holiday. I am looking forward to this visit. I am going to prepare the meal to take with us so tomorrow will be a busy day. I always look forward to Mimi's dressing balls.

The latest quilt square

These two quilt squares are the result of a sleepless night. I am learning that if I am not going to be able to sleep to make good use of the time. TV is a vast wasteland so quilting seems to work. The mind only has to focus a little.

Rainy Day in GA

What a dreary rainy day we have here. Since I was not able to sleep last night, I worked on the quilt. I can't wait to show a picture of this quilt square. The background fabric is sparkley! Ok, I have been captured by shiney fabric again.

Finished Projects

I finally finished two projects. This is my first pair of socks. Thanks to Mom for helping me learn. I also finished a shawlet. I unknit twice as much as I knit to finish this. I told Dear Honey to just think of the money I was saving by not having to buy new yarn. Now I am working on a new pair of socks and the pink heart quilt. Mom and I are working on it together and the goal is to have it ready to put together in February.

Sea Horses

Not that you can tell but this is a sea horse. Their camouflage is really amazing. If you looked really close you could see their heads. It was such a great visit with my parents.

From the Aquarium

While my parents were here we went to visit the new aquarium in Atlanta. Dear Honey and I had not been yet so we were really excited. This is my Mom, Dad and Honey.

After a weekend of computer difficulties I am finally on line again. I wasn't feeling well this weekend so not being online wasn't that bad. This morning I was feeling better and started blessing my home. My Dear Mom and I are working on this together (long distance). I worked on laundry and the kitchen so far. The next project is in the Master Bathroom. It is amazing how much you don't need that you can collect in one room. I have a few errands to run but they won't take long. I hope to be able to post pictures later tonight and I have a quilt square to work on tonight. I worked on knitting a sock this weekend. It is coming along pretty well. I am quite pleased. I hope to have this pair finished before the yarn for Dear Honey's socks arrives (don't rush Mama). More to report later after I finish more.

Well the visit from my parents has ended and I am back to the daily schedule. My Mom and I have several ideas to get me on track and keep me there. I hope they work. I have a list of errands to do tomorrow for My Honey. I hope they don't take all day. I would like to spend some time on the pink heart quilt I am working on with Mom. I am really looking forward to February. That is the deadline we set to have the blocks finished.

Mom helped me finish my first pair of socks while she was here. Pictures to follow. I wore them today. I am working on another pair now. Next I will start a pair for My Honey.

Well the visit from my parents has ended and I am back to the daily schedule. My Mom and I have several ideas to get me on track and keep me there. I hope they work. I have a list of errands to do tomorrow for My Honey. I hope they don't take all day. I would like to spend some time on the pink heart quilt I am working on with Mom. I am really looking forward to February. That is the deadline we set to have the blocks finished.

Mom helped me finish my first pair of socks while she was here. Pictures to follow. I wore them today. I am working on another pair now. Next I will start a pair for My Honey.

Well, After several days of not being able to get the computer to cooperate I am online again. I had pictures to email of Precious Daughter and the GrandCat, but now the camara isn't being friendly. They will be posted, just not today.

I am so looking foward to the visit from my parents. I have lots to do before they get here. More to follow later.

Update!! My loving Husband is out of town for school. He pointed out that I had not updated my blog recently and asked for new information. My precious daughter is visiting for a few days. Of course she comes with my GrandCat. Loving Husband's cat Alexandra has finally decided I did not exile her dad. She spent the first two days he was gone hiding and now she is sitting with me. More to follow later (with pictures). I am going to try to help my precious daughter learn how to applique tonight.

I enjoyed so much making this dress for my Darling Daughter. I don't have any new projects like this planned, but the time will come when I will start a new project. Right now I am focusing on much smaller projects and quilting (not small). I am trying to learn to accept what I have now for what it is and not what I what I want it to be. This is a hard lesson for me to learn.

I am not sure what to post here. DH and I attended an Advisory Board Meeting for the youth group we work with Tuesday. He has a Dr. Appt. tonight. I have been working on the project for the Youth Group State Officers. Tonight I will have completed thirteen out of thirty gifts. They are not difficult, it is just hard to push myself to work on them. Most of all, I want this project completed and off my list. I don't resent it, I am just ready to be finished. After I finish these three I plan to work on two more. Then I will be half way through. I will have fifteen of thirty done and can finish the rest. Once that is done what is next??

This was one of the highlights of our weekend. DH and I roasted marshmellows and spent the evening watching the beauty of the flames in the firepit. Of course we could only eat two marshmellows each (funny what getting older does to your tastebuds) but we really enjoyed it. I am so glad he had fun and is willing to try camping again in the spring. What better way to be close to God than to be outside and enjoy the world he created.

You Belong in Spring

Optimistic, lively, and almost always happy with the world... You can truly appreciate the blooming nature of spring. Whether you're planting flowers or dyeing Easter eggs, spring is definitely your season!

What Season Are You?

Hey, I am a Spring too! Just like my Dear Mom. I never would have guessed.

My daughter is the light of my life and I am so pleased when I can find a way to reach her. Of course she is a teenager and sometimes reaching out is difficult. All I can do is keep all he doors open for her.

Until I went back and looked at this picture of my Darling Daughter and me I didn't realize how much she was like me. Of course not just in appearance but in her personality. She is still trying to find out who she is and what she wants right now. As a Mother it is so hard to stand by and wait. I want to give her the right answer now and push her where I think she should be. Of course I understand that may not be the best place for her, it is only where I think she should be. As we all do, she will have to discover who she is and find the best place for herself.

Well this was the Kitchen and Dining Room in our home away from home. My Dear Mom is right, coffee never smells better than on a cool day in the woods. While DH isn't a coffee drinker he even enjoyed a cup. Of course I refuse to totally rough it. I insist on a bathhouse, electricity and running water. I can't express the pleasure of being there with my Loving Husband, listening to the blessings God has given us. The sound of children laughing and the beauty of the stars. What more could anyone ask for?

For the weekend this was our home away from home. I left Friday to set up camp while DH had to go to work. I set up the tent and Kitchen area and cooked our supper. DH was so glad after fighting through the traffic to have a good meal waiting. It was cold the first night but we were prepared with sleepingbags and an electric heater. Of course were careful to place it so fire was not a hazard. When we woke up Saturday Morning we talked while we waited for it to warm up outside before we got up and left our tent.

What a Wonderful and Loving Husband I have that he would go camping with me because I enjoy it so. I have other pictures but I this is enough for tonight.

Weekend Post. Well, I have made my list, packed up my troubles in my old kit bag and the time has come for my great adventure with DH. We are off to camp in the almost wilderness. (I simply refuse to camp without electricity or running water.) I have packed everything I can think of, I set the tent up in advance to make sure I remembered how. I aired the sleeping bags and packed extra blankets. I am sure I forgot something, but they have stores there I am sure. DH thought about checking behind me, but thought better of it. He decided I might have a clue about what we need. I hope I didn't forget too much. Tonight I made a list to pick up from the grocery store on the way out of town. I am so looking foward to this time of prayer and the sharing with DH. I will be sure to post pictures next week.

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

A Snapdragon,?? Well dh won't be suprised. I would have thought something smaller and friendlier. But who am I to so. Oh Well,, This is the answer we have for now. Love to all...

This beautiful young woman is the light of my life. She is seeking direction in her life as are so many us. She has a job and the hours aren't always what she wants them to be. Of course that is nothing new to most who have had to work. I believe she is a blessing. I just wish she would listen more (of course my Mom wishes I listened more). Most of all I love this wonderful young woman and look forward to discovering who she will become.

Not much to report today. It has been a quiet day. I was so happy to see my beautiful daughter. She was at work. Oh, I do miss her, but I know the time must have come for her to grow up and move forward. I'm not sure forward is where I want her to be at the moment but I guess it is where she needs to be. I miss her terribly though. She was my life for so many years, I don't know how to step away now. How do you quit being a mother?? How do you stop loving your child?? I'm not sure how to help her now, but I will keep trying. She is my greatest blessing.

Our Baby Birds

Well, Since I couldn't find the cable to post the new pictures, I am posting an old one. This summer we were blessed with a nest of mockingbirds at eye level. Only three had their mouth open but there were four. We even had the opportunity to watch Mom and Dad coach the last baby out of the nest.

To Make a Long Story Short

DH and I had a wonderful day in Helen, GA. The food was soooo gooood, and we window shopped till we almost dropped. Saturday I had the pleasure of babysitting the Grandaughter of a Dear Friend. What a perfect reminder of how much energy a little girl can have at four! But she is a joy. DH wanted me to do some test sewing on the "Chines" he had been working on. Well, I thought, no way with a four year old in the house! Would you believe she was facinated??!! She sat right beside me and I showed her how the machine was threaded. Of course I carefully showed her where she shouldn't put her fingers. After that I remembered the Button Box. I was repairing a dress for her and gave her my button box so she could find all the pink buttons. Then we picked the one we would use on her dress. I was amazed that I forgot such a basic learning tool. DH and I both remember learning colors and counting with our Mother's Buttons.

I am so thankful for:

A mother with a Button Box
The beauty only seen through the eyes of little children
The prayers of Dear Friends
My Dear Honey/Husband

First I must apologize for my recent whiney behavior. It is amazing the things that can reduce us to tears.

Next I want to thank everyone for their prayers. I know the Lord is always watching us, but knowing someone is asking him to keep a special watch is a real comfort.

Of course not suprising, following last nights experience with that infernal machine, I have a migraine today. What else would you expect. So today I will be working on my resume and if things go well....setting up tents in the front yard. I would hate to get to the camp site and find I had no place to sleep and worse yet, no place to work on my quilt squares.

OH THAT INFERNAL MACHINE!!
Yes it is even in the Dictionary. A machine designed to explode and destroy life or property. Of course the machine I refer to is designed to preserve life but continues to frustrate and aggravate me. I struggle with rebellion against what seems so unfair. It pinches, I feel trapped,it isn't fair and so many other whiny statements. I forget to thank my Heavenly Father for the technology that prolong my life and the means to use it. As a person who had to learn to wear a Chemical Biological Mask while in the Army I know this will take time and patience to learn. OF course patience has never come easy to me. Maybe that is why I have been sent this lesson. I will sit here and pray a little longer for patience and strength and then go try again to wear that mask and sleep. I know given time it is what is best for me.

So far today has been a quiet day. I ran errands and worked on blessing my Home. What a pleasure to be able to care for the home I share with my Darling Honey! When DH comes home we will go to get the items we need to repair Sewing Machine Cases and make my shelves. After that we are going to get supper and come home for a quiet evening. If he isn't careful he will end up in the yard helping me set up a tent. I want to make sure I have all we need before we go on our great adventure. I am really excited about this visit and can't wait to spend a peaceful weekend with my DH and the Lord. What more could anyone ask for??!! This place seems to be a blessing that has been offered to help me find peace.

What a suprise to start my day. I got up and fixed DH's breakfast and packed his lunch. Well while I was in the kitchen our youngest cat Merlin kept trying to get in the foyer closet so I opened the door. Then I went upstairs to get a load of clothes to wash and started back downstairs. Imagine my horrow when I turn on the light and find a dead lizard on the stairs. Now I know why Merlin came in the room and would not be quiet. He was bragging. Of course I was horrified. I swept the deceased out and properly disposed of his remains.

I called Mum and Dad and they offered their sympathy. DH checked again to make sure I was recovered from my shock and horrow.

Well the day can only look up from here. More later.

This is how I spent my day. What a peaceful place. From my research the families have long since moved on. That doesn't mean the remains of these people should be ignored. I cleaned with the weedeater till it quit working. DH said he would get it inworking order tomorrow. I also went to the Library and did some research on the two families. They are connected with a Church close to our home.

It is amazing how the Lord guides us to the places we need to go. I felt such peace there. I will be there again tomorrow with a rake and flowers.

Love Needle Art

Love Needle Art

Well tomorrow should be a busy day. I will get up early and go to walk with DH. After that there is a family cemetary near our home in need of cleaning. Not my family but it seems so sad to just leave it. So my loving Honey collected things for me to start cleaning it. It is small so it shouldn't take long. Then of course the home needs blessing. I am really looking foward to my day tomorrow.

DH calls these his "Old Gentlemen". I am afraid he is starting to bond with them. We would like to prepare them to be loved, sold, and cared for by another person who loves vintage "Chines".

What a wonderful day DH and I had. We spent the day on the sunporch working on our machines. We cleaned, repaired, oiled, and brought to life a Singer 99K. It is a Centennial Machine from Scotland for my Loving Mother.

Best of all we got a Singer 127 or 128 from 1921 to work. We found it as we were leaving the Antique Sale and couldn't resist because it was so elegant. With oil and machine lube it is starting to run well, of course cleaning is still required.

What better way to spend a day with your Darling Honey??!!

We also found this lingerie case. It was a little more expensive but I couldn't resist because it had an "R" (my first initial).

I found these handkerchiefs in a consignment store and couldn't resist. They were just too pretty. When I work with the girls in the youth group I sometimes find myself in tears. Sometimes they make me laugh till I cry. Other times it is as simple as the National Anthem. It is so special to have a pretty handkerchief to dab your tears away.

My Loving Mama sent me these sea shells. She knows my love of the sand and sea. I sat in my chair and arranged them into what I thought would be a pretty pattern. Maybe for a future quilting or sewing project. I have so many irons on the fire right now it will be way in the future, but the seed has been planted.

Thank you Mama! I love you.

This is one our family cats, Sassy. She will only be petted when she touches you first. My DH says she has my personality. There could be some truth in that.

Today has been a very busy day. This morning I sent cupcakes to work with DH. It is his birthday so I sent Happy Birthday plates and napkins and a candle for his cupcake. This afternoon I had a list of errands to run. I picked up a two For Sale signs, got a new sticker for the car and got it inspected. I almost forgot I also had the windshield replaced on DH's car.

When DH gets home for work we are going to get new tags for the cars and then I am taking him out to eat for his birthday. When we get home we have more ebay posting to complete.

I hope to get more pictures posted later too.

This is where DH and I will be visiting in October. We moved the camping equipment from the shed to the garage this afternoon so I can start making sure we have all we need. I am really looking forward to our trip.

Well I finally took action and made reservations for DH and I to go camping in October. We will be going to Indian Springs State Park. I am so looking forward to this, I am just hoping the weather holds out. This evening after supper I will pull all the camping supplies out of the shed so I can start checking them. This is going to be so much fun.

I found these bits of nature while we were walking today.

Today DH and I had a wonderful time exploring Georgia. We went to High Falls State Park and Indian Springs State Park. High Falls is at the site of what used to be a mill. Indian Springs was a camp built by the CCC. We are looking forward to a camping trip in couple of weeks.

Yesteray and today have been very busy! Yesterday my DD came over and spent several hours with me. She is now knitting dishcloths and is doing quite well. She is also showing an interest in quilting and selected a block to complete. She went through some of my stash and selected some fabrics to use for her block. We started setting up a kit and the next time she can visit we will get her started. I am looking forward to sharing my love of needle art with her. I have such fond memories of time spent learning from my Dear Mom.

Today I went to a memorial service for two Soldiers. It was such a moving ceremony and my their families remain in my prayers.

DH and I had lunch together and went for a walk before I came home. Then I started working on our sewing machine and attachments projects.

I hope to have pictures to post later this evening. I am off to cook supper.

This is Baby Vickie dressed in one of the Preemie Gowns I have finished. Another one is in her lap. She is wearing a hat my Dear Mom knitted and has a pair of socks to match. These will be donated to a local hospital. I have two more gowns almost complete, they only need the topstitch. Once blankets are ready to accompany them they can be donated. Since my DD was a tiny baby when she was born this is a project that is very dear to my heart.