Mile Marker #9 ~ [May 18, 2014]

Nine months since August 18th, 2013....10:30 p.m.  

That night my whole world changed forever. We all knew it was coming. 

We had  a merciful 'heads up' more than a year earlier.

 Still the reality of this new life is something I could  never have imagined....

not even with another  54  years.

Quite honestly I don't know where I should be...

 I don't know where others feel I "should be" after nine months. 

 Whatever it is, I don't think I am there.

I am erratically  searching for balance in my days. 

 What does 'Centered' mean?  I think maybe that's one of the things I am wanting to be...centered.

 I need routine and structure more than ever in my life- 
I Think.

Our Mamas

Remembering Mama..

......on MOTHERS' DAY.

My Mama

[ There are too few of these pictures that have survived this past century. > This one of  [our Mamas] shows Aunt Lila Mae on left. That's my cousin Beverley Turner White's Mom. On the right is My Mama. By the way, Aunt Lila Mae cooked the best lima beans . I know that sounds strange. Lima Beans are just lima beans..but that's my memory looking forward to her steaming hot season to a t baby lima beans. I know she surely had other specialties but that's my child's memory!]

When I was a toddler it was "Mama" who allowed me to get on a stool and help make the biscuits.  I know I was in her way. That was my job-wonder how the biscuits looked..mmm. 

About Mamas~

Mother's Day Questionnaire  from Heather Graham
at Stringtown Home

1)  What is your favorite "Mama Sayin'"? I wonder if my kids remember this-When I baked cookies [we're talking 4 children y'all] They  ate them as fast as they came out of the oven and I would always say: "Okay, when they are all gone..there are no more." [Silly Me!]

2]  My "me" time is often the times I leave home for shopping, nails or pedicure and lunch at some place the 'girls' like. I am not rushed and often away all day-perhaps 4/ 5 hours..but who's counting?!

3)  What in your wardrobe  screams, "I'm a mama!"? Sorry, Heather -E L A S T I C WAIST DENIM JEANS -they scream GRAMMA instead of Mama..It's  the generic, no style, elastic waist I call "old lady Jeans."That's what I ask for.

Oh, well there are days when these serve me quite well.  Who can be stylish and smart every day of the week!

4] What is your favorite thing about being a mom? My favorite thing about being a Mom? Ahh, yes- My very favorite thing about being a Mom is seeing 'our' children as adults with loving spouses living their lives productively, and each in different ways serving the Lord God who has given us life, breath and Salvation and did I mention..I love seeing ALL OF THEM descending upon us..all walking through our front door at once with smiles, hugs and greetings.. believe me it is an AMAZING thing when all of this bunch can manage to arrive at the same time.  There's always "a story" involved.

...just a reminder  OUR CHILDREN  means our four children and their mates!

Hindsight Regarding Parenting ~

We invest our ALL in our Children -
Our energy, time, resources, heart.

When done well we have GIVEN AWAY ourselves

 and  never view  it as  sacrifice.

We insist that it is 
All About Our Love
Given Freely. 

 With the blessing of hindsight 
One can see that

Parenting just like MARRIAGE,

When done well
 Is in retrospect a life of sacrificial Choices.


[ thinking out loud]

A First For Me ~

Springtime - Easter Weekend-  Asheville, North Carolina

Top Row Center would me me taking in the incredible sights-

This is indeed a first for me. I am almost positive I have never crossed over/or stopped in the state of North Carolina.  The only possible time I might have [but cannot remember] would have been in 1959, driving south to Alabama [ from Virginia Beach Virginia ] after Ted had finished his four year U.S. Navy obligation.  In that case I think I can be forgiven for not remembering since 55 years have passed since that early milestone in our lives.

Top Left:  The Alabama Bunch- Loretta,John & Reagan with Gramma/that would be Me- Church Easter Sunday

Top Right: Susan & Brian our Asheville hosts and part of what I call my extended family

Bottom Left: Sisters -Susan, Mary Kay & Loretta

[ Ooops whatever happened to the Grammas? ]

HE IS RISEN - HE IS RISEN INDEED~

Since I don't expect to be posting tomorrow April 18th I'll leave a note before Good Friday-

Another Mile Marker-#8- What a breathtakingly beautiful Spring morning..the wind just a soft whisper of a breeze but greeted outside by one major unnamed bird that was intent upon getting the attention of the entire world..nothing gentle or timid about the voice of that small feathered creature...he seemed to be calling all of Creation to awake, take note and join in his celebration of the new, fresh, growing Spring scene all around me. 

Let's Pray

My wake up early morning thoughts: "Lord thank you for a comfortable home that wraps me in precious memories and even though I am no longer met in the kitchen with a big bear hug from my Silver Fox I am wrapped securely in your arms. [Continue] to help me soak in creation around us as My Love did I believe every day. 

Your handiwork was never wasted on him. He 'got it'. 

No matter what my 'feelings' say to me I have been among all women Blessed..oh so blessed! Keep pointing the way and giving me the heart to see and follow one day at the time! [ make that moment by moment ] Amen."

Time For A Front Porch Re-Do ?

the Harrison House- A Fall View as many things are fading-thank heavens for the Peanut Tree that begins to fill the space with yellow, delicate, abundant blooms beginning the first of October

mmmm I could see that on my deck with the butterfly bushes [trees] in the background

Copied - Shared - Soaking In

 

[copied]

[ Shared from a fb post by Ann Voscamp ]

http://www.aholyexperience.com/ 

 

Hey Soul? Deep breath. Whisper it:
I don't have to perform for Him today.

 I am sung over today. 

*He performs His love for me.* 

I am delighted in. 

I am rejoiced over.

 I am loved on. 

Today, I'm listening everywhere for His love song over me.

[ copied from a fb post by Ann Voscamp ]

http://www.aholyexperience.com/

 

 

"The LORD your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
*He will take great delight in you;
in His love He will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing*."
~ Zephaniah 3:17

 

[copied]

Ahhhhhhhh, Be Still ~

Soak it all in. 

 

 

- Bridal Wreath, Dogwood, Irises and Wisteria

Spring has to be here for real when I begin to see Bridal Wreath, Camellias,  Dogwood, Irises and Wisteria in bloom.  

 

 

It's That Time Again - Spring Reveal Re-Run

 

Free Admission-

 

A Great Project is Worth A Second  Showing

 2014

Just a reminder- This was the last major Labor of Love  from my Silver Fox-It had been on "our" to do list for several years and I always knew it would get done.  He started work on it soon after we got the Cancer diagnosis -A while after it was completed I noticed something red hanging from one end..a small red metal wind chime.  He liked them and so did I.  Then in Sprng of 2013 I spotted a new Double Knockout Rose Bush planted not far from one corner of the structure.  He didn't mention it but I knew what he was doing...he knew it wouldn't be much longer and he was leaving that for me.[ he quietly planted several new rose bushes that same day]

I will add another of the same [dbl KO] Rose Bush next to it in a few days.  We both enjoyed Roses but especially these Double Knockout because they have such a long blooming season and are so carefree.

I knew something was up when I noticed the tools and new boards

Just Showing Off ~ For My Weekend Readers

What's So Special About A Stove?

This Okeefe & Merritt Gas Range

and It's Yesteryear Appliance Cousins

Were Designed and Built to Last

-And Last They Have!

Source: The Harrison House  Personal restoration

Photo taken [in the shop] where Ted worked for months sprucing it up

Source:  The Harrison House  Personal Restoration

Source:  http://cntry.lv/6183gYSH
Not ours but yes I think ours shows well stacked alongside this unique treasure too!

A Saturday Offering- For Weekend Readers Only~

What's It Worth?

P R I C E L E S S

{Shared Only With Saturday Readers, of Course}

A Roadside Flea Market find from North Arkansas in the post 1975 era-After paying a whopping $20 then moved  from Crossett, Arkansas  to Montgomery,Alabama, Orange, Texas, Buna,Texas then Newton Texas and finally South Alabama   & F I N A L L Y restored for a mere  $50. in Troy, Alabama. I understand one of our children now has permanent claim to it





These wonderful scales were a part of The Old Barn  inventory in Newton, Tx. and don't even try to get me to name a price or swap anything for them.Not!



Friend Friday ~

Have you noticed how casually  we use the tag Friend? 

So many around us we call Friend.

I heard someone repeat a conversation with a mutual acquaintance in which the third party referred to me as a good friend.  Strangely enough I cannot even recall when I last had any sight, sound or contact with this person...either close enough to wave a greeting, a written note, phone call and certainly not an in person pause to visit.  Needless to say I was surprised to be called this person's friend even though it is someone whom I admire personally.

This inspires me to  ponder the question: Who are my friends?  Who's friend am I? What qualifies or removes one from that invisible 'friend list'?

Not all those whom I call friend are here in the same town..or down the street or across town in another neighborhood.  Some are miles and miles away..not having seen for months or even years but I still know and cherish them as  friends.  I would so love to have a face to face visit...a few hours or a few days and that might happen...or might not.  Still I count them on my "list of dear friends."

As Long As ~

Mile Marker 7- 

Seven Months

For as long as I Breathe

My moments- My days

will continue to be filled with your words,

pictures of you

Scenes

Memories

 Like the clouds that drift constantly  above & around me

No matter if Others  see.... or sense

You are there

A part of me

 Every hour of the day...
I cannot will it to be otherwise.

Saved For Easy Sharing ~

If I place this photo here I can easily share the collage on Facebook-

Makes sense to me!

 

If Spring doesn't hurry and get here I still have these scenes from seasons past!

Jonell

Did I Tell You About The Morning ~

A Really Great Way to Start This Day- Thanks Cracker Barrel
Permission granted for laughing with but not at

Source

No, not at me dear- with me.  This Morning Brunch  at an area Cracker Barrel Restaurant could be [with slight embellishmets] material for a Gramma Stand Up routine.

 Servers were quickly available for immediate  drink order and I did not bat an eye or hesitate even momentarily to ask for it done My Way, Y'all.

Several months ago at another Cracker Barrel I was told the reason I could appreciate their 'hot enough' coffee was that they heated the cups prior to pouring the coffee into them. I mean, how hard is that. Think of all the times you had your mouth all set for your first  wonderful sip of morning coffee and  even though you just saw it poured into the cup..It is only warm-not hot.  These folks are genius- imagine thinking of this on your own without being asked to do it.  Will wonders ever cease?

Sooooo, armed with this information I asked very directly but politely assuming this would not be an entirely new thought- hot cup = hot coffee,right!  The nice young lady agreeded so we are off to a great start...that cup of coffee I envisioned when I awoke..indeed before my feet hit the floor 40+ miles north of this CB location

Better Is One Day In Your Courts....

Thinking about perfect Gifts this Sunday morning with the Daylight Savings Time change..admiring the perfect gift from a son that's showing off the fragrant Paper Whites on the Breakfast Room table and moving on to other perfect gifts. 

O my Lord and God how perfectly you have planned and provided  for

me I am reminded on this brisk early Spring Like morning in the deep South.  In recent weeks/months fleeting thought of needing to be elsewhere [snuggled up to my children] then moments ago as this gift conversation takes place between me and myself it continues like so...

" Another perfect gift. He planned for this so comfortable place yes, and time where I could settle into this new and strange if not yet totally wonderful again life,

feelsafe secure and claim a new kind of happiness, find a renewed purpose and usefulness and life and I think perhaps whisper confirmation that all this future called the rest of my life on earth' can continue to take place right here where He provided yet another of His perfect gifts...

a puzzle piece slipped securely into the right place."

Again I have been nor have I done anything to deserve this-never could  ..reminds me of Salvation.

This introspection almost takes my breath away...

Majesty, Glory, Honor and Praise....to You Alone !

Yes, I do believe Spring is coming

and

E A S T E R

 

Saturday Morning Waking Up Thoughts - Just Between Us ~

My wake up Saturday  morning thoughts: Lord thank you for a comfortable home that wraps me in precious memories and even tho I am no longer met in the kitchen with a big bear hug from my Silver Fox I am wrapped securely in your arms. [Continue] to help me to soak in the creation around us as My Love did I believe every day..Your handiwork was never wasted on him. He 'got it'. No matter what 'feelings' say to me I have been among all women Blessed..oh so blessed-just keep pointing the way and giving me the heart to see and follow one day at the time! [ make that moment by moment ]

Not the scene at
the Harrison House
But a sweet place we loved



Looking Back
While Still Moving Forward

Modern Day House Hunters -

A Blogger Connection whose work I greatly admire and regularly check in with   Between Naps On The Porch  is showing a wonderful post that really started me thinking ...don't expect serious thinking however. It is totally frivillous...she and I are just observing, commenting and sharing with you. That's all.

BNOTP  post shows some beautiful photos of celebrity homes with landscape views featuring MOATS and she shares with us the fact that apparently this MOAT is now one of the most highly desired high end features on the must have lists of a significant number of home owners in our country.  As always Susan's  posts are beautifully done and illustrated with fabulous photos.



http://betweennapsontheporch.net



My two cents worth and thank you Susan for opening up an interesting conversation today. It leaves me with a little smile and has my sometimes feeble [or lazy] brain working this morning.