Miscellany Monday

It's Monday and our church's Vacation Bible School begins this morning.  I have not worked in VBS in several years, but this year I'll be spending time with the 4th and 5th graders.  But, first, I'm going to spend some time with you being random..........

Speaking of VBS ......

 Oh, my, how VBS has changed in recent years.  There's been a drastic change since I was a little girl (too many years ago to count) and a lot of changes since I last worked in VBS.  The pictures above show the scene that is set up in our church's sanctuary for this week's VBS activities. The theme is Sonsurf Beach Bash.  Now, if that doesn't sound like a fun time to children, I don't know what would.  We hope to share God's Word with lots of children this week and make a difference in their lives for eternity. Nothing else really matters.



Zero Gravity Chairs.....

My friends, if you do not have one of these fellas, then you need to get one.  I'm not joking!  They are, without a doubt, the most comfortable outdoor chair I have ever sat in.  You can find your perfect position and the gravity of your body will keep it there.  Oh, yes, I'm thinking of exchanging our recliners in our family room for these. ~laugh~  I enjoy our patio so much more now that we have these.  One for me and one for Hubby.  It works!

Cleaning Out......... 

This past Saturday I had a purging of some of my cabinets.  I have had the above pictured glass dishes for several years.  I have enough to entertain 24 people.  There are dinner plates, soup bowls, salad bowls, dessert plates, juice glasses, regular glasses and goblets.  I mean, what was I thinking????  Anyway, haven't used them in a LONG time and didn't see any need to keep them any longer.  So, I got the brilliant idea of putting a picture of them on FB and selling them.  Well, that didn't take but about 5 minutes and they were GONE!  Yep! a local young lady  jumped at them and she is thrilled and I am thrilled.  I boxed them all up for her and she is coming by today to get them.  Her days of entertaining are just beginning and I'm excited that they have found a new home.  Now, what's next on my list??? ~grin~ 


Friendship...........a beautiful thing

Taken this past Saturday evening

 I cannot imagine a life without friends.  I am blessed beyond measure with so many dear friends and pictured above is myself with 3 of them.  The past 3 years have really proven to me over and over again the importance of friendship.  My friends have doubled my joy and divided my grief.  They share in the good times and the bad. They are there through thick and thin and always pick me up when I think I may not be able to go another step.  God did a good thing when he created friendship. Yes, he did!

 

Friday Favorites

It's Friday and I've been thinking about some of my Favorite Things and I'm linking up with sweet Rachel to share them with you.

My Favorites today are:

Freshly folded laundry and clothes that have just been ironed.

Lamp light throughout a room (love the warmth they add)

The smell of food cooking all day in my crockpot

Trimmed and colored hair

Wearing that "just right" outfit with matching shoes ~wink~

Hearing the words "CiCi" come out of the mouth of my Grans

The peach colored roses dipped in glitter that Hubby gave me for our anniversary this past Wednesday 

 The feel of clean sheets on the bed

Planning and anticipating a trip

Seeing God at work in my life and others

Giving of myself  to make someone else happy

Freshly polished fingernails and toenails

Knowing I have a navigation system in my vehicle - I'm very directionally challenged

Hearing a sermon that stirs my heart

Learning something new

Our memory foam mattress

Knowing that my Chi flat iron will make my hair smooth with just the right amount of straightness

The slight buzz of a little box fan as I sleep at night

Hearing the sound of my cuckoo clock 

Getting in my recliner and covering up with MY afghan

Sitting down with the latest issue of Southern Living magazine

Listening to Pandora Radio on my IPad

Browsing Pinterest

My list could truly go on and on but I'll stop for now.  It does me good to think of the very plain and ordinary things that are often some of my very favorite things. 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Well, just in case you didn't notice, I'm sportin' a new blog design today.  Karen Valentine of Valentine Blog Designs (you can find her button on my side bar) designed it and I am so pleased.  I still liked my old design but was just ready for a "new" look and decided to incorporate my love of African Violets into it.  Hope it's pleasing to your eye as well.

1. How many students were in your high school graduating class? Did you know most, if not all of them?

There were about 200 and I did know most of them even though I moved there in the middle of my Junior year.  That meant I was only in school with them for about a year and a half but I made some very dear friends during that time, some I still have to this day. 

2. What was the last thing you photographed?

The last picture I took was Friday of our sweet Grans when they were playing in the water. I was busy snapping pictures all last week of the Grans while our Grandson was here visiting.  My camera is with me at all times because I never know when I may have a need to snap a picture, so I stay prepared.  

3. Pickles-love 'em or loathe 'em? If its love what's something you eat that needs a pickle? I love dill pickles and care nothing for sweet pickles.  A hamburger is NOT a hamburger without a dill pickle.

4. What's a stereotype you seem to perpetuate without meaning to?  That I have "it" (whatever IT is) all together all of the time.  I think it is probably because I am a highly organized person and lead a very structured life.  But, neither of those things mean that I have it "all together."  In fact, I don't think anyone has it all together all of the time.  I'm just very grateful for the times that I do have it all together. ~smile~

5. Ever been horse back riding? If so is it something you enjoy? If not, do you have any interest? Did you watch the Kentucky Derby? Will you be watching the last leg of the Triple Crown this weekend?  Yes, I have been horse riding and no, it is not something I enjoy.  I do have interest because my SIL raises quarter horses and is a farrier. (not his full time work)  And, my little 3 1/2 year old will probably be calve roping in the not so distance future. Yikes!  I love the Kentucky Derby and would absolutely love to "don" my hat and attend it one year.  If I am home and don't forget I will watch the Triple Crown.

6. What's your favorite 'wedding' movie?

There are a lot but the first one to come to my mind was Sweet Home Alabama.  Reese Witherspoon was fantastic and I loved the story.  As a matter of fact, I think it's time for me to watch it again.

7. What is one 'tourist attraction' in the USA that you'd like to see in person?

I have been very fortunate to see many of the tourist attractions across the US but I have not seen Niagara Falls. Perhaps I need to put that on my "bucket list."

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Today is mine and Hubby's 41st anniversary.  I was a young and terribly naive 18 (almost 19) year old girl and Tommy was a 24 year old that had just graduated with his MBA.  What a great way to start a marriage! ~laugh~  But, somehow, someway, we have survived through thick and thin and have always remembered the vow that we took - till death do us part. 

Miscellany Monday

It's Monday and that means it's time to be random with Carissa. I've had a lot of "randomness" lately, so this will be a fun post for me! ~smile~   

Cousin time........

My two sweet "grans" got to have a lot of special time together this past week and I am so sorry that they cannot have that kind of time more often.  But, when 750 miles separate you, you just have fun when you can.  It was so much fun to watch them.  This was the first time that they have really enjoyed playing together.  The Princess  is 2 1/2 and the Prince is 3 1/2, good play mates age.


My two girls........

This is my daughter in law and daughter with me in the picture above.  But, more importantly, they are the Mothers to my sweet babies and they both take their "calling" very seriously and are wonderful Moms and it makes my heart so happy.


Poppa time......

I'm pretty sure this photo needs no comment........



Kinda like a zoo..........

One of Hubby's office gals lives on 200 acres and has llama's, regular horses and miniature horses and donkey's. We took the kiddos out to see the animals the other night and they thought they were at a zoo.  They got to feed them out of their hands, ride the little horses and just enjoy being around them.  Fact of the matter, we all enjoyed ourselves. ~grin~


Grand Poppa..........

I am pleased to tell you that my Daddy is enjoying his new apartment at the Arbor Assisted Living Facility.  He has been there one month and things have gone extremely well. It is much like a home environment with just the assistance that he needs. He is having better days and that makes me have better days. ~smile~

Happy new week!!!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Joyce did a little red, white and blue in our Hodgepodge today and some other "deep" questions.  Enjoy!

1. What can the average citizen do to honor a military veteran and/or those currently serving?

Send notes of encouragement and appreciation to the soldiers serving and even a care package occasionally..........attend patriotic events...........celebrate the patriotic holidays with flag flying and letting others know you are proud to be an American.......

2. Besides a flag what is something you own that is red, white and blue?

Well, I've wracked my brain trying to think of something and besides the wreath on our front door, I do not know of anything else.

3. Does love really conquer all?

No, that is wishful thinking.  If it did, half of all marriages would NOT end in divorce.  The US has the highest divorce rate of any country.  How sad!  And, I doubt that anyone that gets married ever intends for their marriage to end in divorce, but folks still opt to divorce.  Love certainly helps but sharing life goals has to be added to the equation in a marriage.  Okay, let me hush, I'm straying from the question..........

 

4. Strawberry shortcake or blueberry pie?

Oh, it's blueberry pie all the way for me.  I've always loved blueberries and have never cared for strawberries.

5. Do you share personal stuff with your hairdresser?

I love my hairdresser.  She's been doing my hair for years and I've known her for way longer than she's been doing my hair.  But, I do not share personal stuff with her but I share a lot of my life with her.  Now, does that make sense?  Well, guess I'm thinking you probably mean stuff that really no body has any business knowing and I do not share that with her or anyone else.

6. Does money lead to selfishness?

It certainly can but it doesn't have to.  Folks can become more self centered the more money they make/have or they can become more giving and ready to share with others. This could be a wide range discussion for sure.

7. What piece of furniture in your home most needs replacing or refinishing?
I don't think that I have anything that is in glaring need but I do have 2-3 old accent tables that could probably use refinishing but it's doubtful that they will ever get it.  I'm perfectly happy with them just the way they are. ~smile~ 
 

8. Insert your own random here. 

Our little Clancy man is here and he and his Poppa had a good time taking him on his first fishing expedition yesterday morning. He was a tired little boy and took a very long afternoon nap.  His Mom and I enjoyed a little "retail therapy" while they fished.  It worked well for all concerned. ~smile~ 

Miscellany Monday

Oh, Monday, Monday, it's time to be random with Carissa.

The Cousins.......

Last weekend I was in Virginia to celebrate my Aunt's (in middle of above picture) 90th birthday.  Her four sons decided a fun way to do that would be by hosting a family reunion.  What a grand idea!
I was able to see cousins that I had not seen in years and years.  There were only two missing out of the entire family, so that's pretty good I'd say.  A lot of great memories made while celebrating a lovely lady.


Tough Mudder...........

I had never heard of Tough Mudder until last summer and that was when my brother informed me that he was going to be competing in a Tough Mudder event last December in Florida.  I went to their website  and when I saw the words, "Probably the toughest event on the planet," I had all kinds of mixed emotions.  I mean, I love my brother, he has a wonderful family and why would he even want to do such, it's beyond me. ~chuckle~  But, he survived the event in December and decided to give it another try last weekend  at an event in Minnesota.  Really????  And, once again, he lived to tell about it!  And, I must say, I'm truly  impressed!!!! What a guy!



Different kinds of Bloggers......

Isn't it interesting to see all the different kinds of blog designs?  And, how the longer you read blogs and the better you get to know the author of the blog, their blog design fits them to a "T."  And, if you are ever privileged to meet  a "blogging buddy" in real life, their blog takes on a whole new meaning to you.  Also, you can almost always tell (without reading their profile) if the blogger is younger or one of us more mature bloggers. ~smile~  The younger ones seem to like a really pale color font and a very tiny font.  Just wondered if I was the only one to make these observations. ~wink~ And, isn't it interesting to read all the various topics discussed on blogs.  Oh, my!   And, just FYI........I'll be sportin' a new blog design in the near future.  My gal, Karen Valentine, at Valentine Designs, is hard at work.  I know you can't wait to see what we've come up with this time. ~giggle~ Stay tuned.......


A Special Day in more ways than one.....

We have the flags flying at our house and yes, it's because of Memorial Day and I'm saying that we're also flying them because Bridget and Clancy are arriving this afternoon! Yea! they will be here until Saturday and we're gonna cram all the fun we can into these few days. I think that's a "flag flying occasion."

Happy Week!
 

Friday's Letters

This is my first time to join up with Ashley for Friday Letter's .  One of the bloggers I follow participates and it looked like a fun meme, so I'm giving it a try. Plus, I might meet some new bloggers. ~hope-hope~ And, I've always loved writing letters.
 

Dear Aunt Mary and Aunt Wanda, What fun it was to be in Virginia with you last weekend and celebrate Aunt Wanda's 90th birthday. It was such a great idea to center the celebration around a family reunion.  You are both so dear to me and I know it would have thrilled my precious Momma to know that all of us were together.  I look forward to our next visit and I'm so sorry that almost 1000 miles separate us.

Dear Grocery Store, I cannot believe that I spent $174.22 for groceries yesterday and I did not have one single bit of meat in that cart.  WOW! Of course, I am preparing for our daughter and Grandson's visit, but still, I'm thinking groceries are wayyyyyyyyy too expensive.

Taken Christmas 2011

Dearest Daughter, I am so excited that you and Clancy will be arriving Memorial Day afternoon.  I know that the time you are here will not be nearly long enough, but we'll sure try to make the most of the time we have with you.  Drive safely and we'll be anxiously awaiting your arrival. By the way have I told you lately that I very much dislike the 13 1/2 hours that separate us.....~tear~

Dear Nyquil and Dayquil, Please "do your thang" and knock this cold out of me.  I'm quite sure it came from the cooties on the flight I made this past weekend.  But, I need to feel better! I have things to do, people to see and places to go.  Do you hear me????

Dear Phillip, I am so thrilled that you won American Idol!  I think you are likely the most humble contestant that has ever won the title.  Please, never loose your humility and may your year ahead just be the beginning of great and mighty things in your life. And, when you were no longer able to sing because of the tears and headed straight to the arms of your Dad and Mom----well, can I just say that it almost melted this Momma's heart.

 Dear Self, Always remember you are a Southern Gal and Southern Gals sometimes have to put on their big girl panties and deal with it.  Life can deal tough issues, but never forget that you are tougher and serve a God that is even more tough!


Happy Friday Girlies!