THOUGHTFUL THOUGHTS~ (Deanna)

 Mom's Church FBC Troy,Al.

I made it to Sunday School on time- a huge accomplishment for me. I know I should do better, I try – really. But even with older teen/young adult children in the house there's STILL  that last minute shoe-hair-make-up-keys emergency that throws me off.

 Yesterday I made it on time – because I had to get up two hours earlier to drive my husband to Macon BUT STILL – I made it and that is the point.

Not really the point but it's significant. At church as I walked down the hallway and saw the friend who teaches my class I made sure to make a joke of my being on time – it wasn't lost on her I'm sure. As the words were leaving her mouth - “we're gonna join this class because there's a missionary here to share with us” - as my friend was speaking  I  walked into the room. What I saw, if I'm being honest, gave me a little....jolt. So many thoughts through my mind.

First: – Okay....WHAT in the world????!!!!

Next:  – That's horrible Deanna, STOP IT!!

And:   – But she's HERE!! That's good.

Lastly: –  Still I'm uncomfortable with this. I don't want to admit it.....

GARLIC BLOOMS- Who Knew?

Can We Just Call This A "Frivolous Friday" Post?

I would love to see your reaction to this post -  in person.

Have you ever read my words:  "It just doesn't take much to please me.?

I often say it because it's true.

I get excited over some of the smallest, often strange things

Pausing to Say Hello~

As I Hurry On My Way-

For months now I have had a little plan on the back burner to transform my perfect white 'yarden' bench into something different- on the deck- perhaps dress it up a bit, a soft, girly spot for relaxing, reading,  or visiting. (bird watching/Creation appreciation)

My inspiration here:






My Reality- The 50% Off tag will grab me every time

Whatever You're Thinking- It's Not

08 - 18 - 2013 - 10:30 p.m.

U N D E R  C O N S T R U C T I O N

- My intent is to be just transparent enough to prompt you to say-

"I get that" - "Been there" - "Am there now"

 

What people see is not
 always what is.

What people think
 is not always what is.

People often think I have it all together-

That's not what is.

I have only a little  t o g e t h e r...

Most days

People even seem to think I have a an active interesting life.

They don't register the A l o n e  time

Alone Days

Don't take this too much to heart-

Just allow me to be me.

Learning to be Alone-

Who ever knew?

I've often said in the past:

 "I don't mind being alone-I can enjoy alone time"

Who knew I would actually miss talking with other people?



( Shifting Gears- )

That's what www.Chick.fil.a.com  morning coffee is for...

Putting myself into the world

Where I get to smile at people

Have a few smile at me

Take a book or a magazine, pull out my smart phone and they conclude that I'm a regular, normal person -

.. Some of the young people "Know me by name." Well at least my last name- they add a Mrs. to that and it becomes very personal.



..if it's really my lucky day I talk with a few people. 

If they are really having a good day- I don't bore them  by talking too much - like one of those people who need to get out more.

I know the nice CF people would be kind but I don't want to leave anyone with that awful stereotype of older people...You know...those people who have nothing to do but 'have coffee' And those old folks who talk incessantly-Sharing things of no real interest to anyone -
Not even to the nice polite college students Who respond to everything with

"My Pleasure"

No, I refuse to mess with their day...

This can get to be an uncomfortable conversation if I continue to drag it out

So, I won't...

If my thoughts have prompted you to be more aware of 'others' it's a win-win for you, me and

others -

"My Pleasure"

Note to self:  I'm trying to slip this little post In without calling attention to it -hoping to limit it's audience while allowing me to have a place to share what's on my mind. -Nothing more.  

- Remembering 9-11

A m e r i c a  for me

by Henry Van Dyke

The View from Our Front Porch -
The Harrison House

 

'Tis fine to see the Old World, and travel up and down
Among the famous palaces and cities of renown
To admire the crumbly castles and the statues of the kings,
But now I think I've had enough of antiquated things.

 

So it's home again, and home again, America for me!
My heart is turning home again, and there I long to be
In the land of youth and freedom beyond the ocean bars
Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars.


 

Oh London is a man's town, there's power in the air
And Paris is a woman's town, with flowers in her hair;
And it's sweet to dream in Venice,

and it's great to study Rome;
But when it comes to living there is no place like home.


 

I like the German fir-woods, in green battalions drilled
I like the gardens of Versailles with flashing fountains filled;
But, oh, to take your hand, my dear, and ramble for a day
In the friendly western woodland where Nature has her way!


 

I know that Europe's wonderful, yet something seems to lack:

The Past is too much with her, and the people looking back.

 But the glory of the Present is to make the Future free,
We love our land for what she is and what she is to be.

 

Oh, it's home again, and home again, America for me!
I want a ship that's westward bound to plough the rolling sea,
To the blessed Land of Room Enough beyond the ocean bars,
Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars.
 

- Poem by by Henry Van Dyke
http://www.theholidayzone.com/fourth/poem2.html
 

 

VS [very special] P.S. [postscript]
 

On May 18, 1959

My high school Graduation Day

Patterson High School

Patterson, Georgia

 

As an Honor Student  in my Graduating Class of 1959

This was my Speech/Recitation

America For Me

by Henry Van Dyke

 

 

 

 

F A L L KEEPS ON F A L L I N G-

 

W E L C O M E   BACK

 

 

 

 



I Know We Got an Early Start -

that Just Stretches the Season 

If that White  Ceramic  Pumpkin is really
 SPEAKING TO YOU -
Run...to WM Right NOW
Before they are GONE!
[UNDER $20.]

 

 

Those little white ceramic pumpkins  I found 2 years ago
at a super dollar store over in Georgia
So you know I paid dearly for them!

 

 

 

 
 

 

What do you do with it?
That's Easy- Fill it With soup, Fruit or flowers or
Just Enjoy the Pretty white pumpkin




 

You Know this Yellow  Ceramic Pumpkin Was Spotted on
Somebody's Super Sale Table

 

 

 

 This is a pair...forgot where I found them but you got it
CHEAP
 -about $5 each

*the glass crystals  hanging from it came from some very old light fixtures I decided to replace

 Ooops I've lost my Coffee Mug
AGAIN




Justa Note:

[Consider this an observation-Not an Apology:  I don't it is  in bad taste

to hang a silk holiday or seasonal wreath-I think it's smart to have the good sense to

spot a good quality that lasts for years and I just run up to the attic and it instantly

Makes FALL Happen at my front door.

a  n  d

 

Later, perhaps around Thanksgiving I will likely order a beautiful fresh wreath and after it dries this season I use it again in another location as a dried wreath-

 

 

 

 

 LOOKING  FORWARD,

 JONELL

 

HARVEST TOUR OF HOMES ~ 2015

 

W e  l  c  o  m  e

Host Homes on the 2015 Harvest Tour of Homes  

 

 

Shall we begin on the front porch?

I NEED STRUCTURE IN MY LIFE ~

[Someone Suggested Many Years Ago That I Had A Sense of Humor]



I NEED ROUTINE

I NEED PREDICTABILITY-
[it's my security blanket]

I NEED  STRUCTURE
[it's my confidence]

I NEED  A 
P  L A  N

*Before I go to bed at night I run through my mind what's supposed to take place the next day-beginning with making coffee here at home or scratching that and indulging in my favorite Coffee Spot  - Good start then 'we' can wing it from there.  Bills, Cleaners/pick up or drop off, etc. Yes, I am

  a

PLANNER

PRODUCER

PROMOTER

PERFORMER

-all these things can be okay or

-reveal insecurity and a level of 'self' that may be a spiritual problem -

 that observation is meant for me not anyone else.

I Need a Calendar

Funny thing is I so often forget/neglect to check what I have scheduled on that
Calendar

And I also need those REMINDER CALLS
that save me from being a
'no show'-



I cannot tell you how often I have 'been saved by the bell'- actually the phone call reminding me

barely In time to make that 

appointment

(made 3-4 months earlier)

Sometimes it's like a little voice saying repeatedly,

'I think I had a doctor's appointment this month- but when?'

Sure, they give me appointment cards-thank you so much!

I appreciate that

I promptly place them in a slot in my wallet
[along w others]
 conveniently placed so I cannot miss-

Still it's that 11th hour little voice that saves me -

Yes, there it is.

I was right-

It is this month-This week even.

What a relief -Now I will set my alarm for 6:30 a.m.

TOMORROW MORNING.

 I have it all under control after all!

I am a Planner

I need structure

Thank God for those phone calls to keep me on track..

Saved by the Bell!!!!

A G A I N





It's The Little Things- by Heather Graham

Monday Morning Coffee with Heather

I know you can't wait to mark things off your week's to do list but let's just put on the brakes, pick up your fav coffee mug or pretty cup & hang on to your reserved seat while my Blogger friend Heather at http://stringtownhome.net   gets her refill and Gramma at http://mygrammashouse.blogspot.com/ settles in for her 1 1/2 cups of medium brew with cream of course and we'll see 'What's She Thinking'..[Heather]

COFFEE TIME -

 

COFFEE TIME

Can we start with freshly ground Coffee Beans?

How About Half/Half Creamer

(choose your FLAVOR)

 

 

Hot Tea Works for Me
I tend to prefer Coffee in the Morning
and Hot Tea in the afternoon or evening-
Don't ask me why!

Time for Change-Again~

Real World-

August is still very much

SUMMERTIME

 

 

Summertime scene in Italy taken and shared by Kaylee Jones and Meredith Grammly  2015

 

Blog World-

 

Online Blogger Home Tours- Spring-Summertime Setting

 

 

August is GET READY-

Time for Change

(Fall Décor- Seasonal Tablescapes-Theme displays)

 Looking Forward -

August 2015

 

(but not for much longer)



Thoughtful Thoughts - Jonell

 

Isaiah 33:6

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.

Even on the most unsettling day, when it seems that our world has been turned upside down and shaken, there is (can be) a place of stability.

When it seems there is no where steady or certain where we can stand, His Word assures us that the Lord himself is that sure and steady place.
 

If it seems there is nothing to depend on in your life, nothing faithful or trustworthy, the Lord knows where you are and wherever that is he offers himself as a foundation on which you can rebuild.

Try to wrap your mind around the depths of His love, mercy, and grace in your life and then stand back in awe and amazement at who He really is, in your life, on this day and begin to open up that treasure

We might call that one of those gifts that keep on giving.

Drought Tolerant Plants

Just a few examples to whet your appetite

Source

Lavender

 Piles of purple in your garden = aromatic display that enjoys the sunlight and relatively dry

Who Am I? - Heather

 Remember my last post at LGH-

  about how Good Life is....

Today's post may feel a bit redundant, perhaps because it is what God is working out in my own life, but I am back to talk about how good life is.

You see, I don't necessarily think that life is only going well for me.

I think life is going well for the majority of the people who are in my social class (middle class... perhaps even middle to low and above)

in  A m e r i c a.

The atrocities  happening in the world around us are pure evil....
 abominations.

I recently read that approximately one baby is aborted every two seconds.

Pure. evil.

Christians are imprisoned and killed daily for their faith.

A religious war is being waged against families who have chosen to follow Jesus.

I don't know how you feel about those statistics.  We could debate these issues for days.

That's not even what I am here to talk about.

I am so thankful, (by the Grace and Hand of God) I am removed from those things.

I did nothing to deserve my birthright.  He knit me together in my mother's womb.

He placed me there out of providence.....

Who am I?

As I checked things off of my "To Do List" this morning, I became overwhelmed
with everything I have on my plate.

How do I get in these situations?

Why do I bite off more than I can chew?

Once again, I am reminded mamas in the bush of Africa would give anything
 just to be able to feed their children. 


 Selling a house, getting their classroom ready for the school year, and dealing
with chores are issues that have not been bestowed on them.

They were created by the same God who made me.

They are loved unconditionally by the same Jehovah Jireh.

Who am I.....

That I would complain about a busy schedule.

Who am I?...

That I would fuss over a messy house.

Who. am. I?

I am so very thankful- He has blessed me beyond measure....

 it is nothing that I have done. 

 To HIM be the glory!

 ((I heard a song recently that says, "I'm drinking from my saucer, cause my cup has overflowed..."))

Well, y'all.... I'm definitely drinking from my saucer, and I didn't do anything

 to deserve this sweet life I've been given....

((Hugs and blessings!))

-Heather

Stringtown Home



Now THIS is a Shield!

 Thoughtful Thoughts

Deanna

But you o Lord are a shield about me, my glory and the one who lifts my head. I was crying to the Lord with my voice, and He answered me from His holy mountain. Psalm 3:3-4

I like to break scripture down word by word sometimes. I usually end up coming away from that with a much clearer picture of what the scripture is really saying, sometimes a completely different point than what I'd always thought. I'm not a Bible scholar, I don't know Hebrew or Greek – I just use a Strong's Concordance with Greek/Hebrew references. Usually I use the online version at biblestudytools.com (in case you want to check up on me or dig in yourself). I also use Packer & Tenney Illustrated Manners & Customs of the Bible for some background information. I chose that particular reference for one very important reason – it was the only book of that type on my bookshelf and over the years I've grown comfortable with it.

FALL DECORATING Does Not Have to Break the Budget~

 

Stringtownhome

 

Tips- Hints- Ideas- Reminders

To Be Kind to Your Budget

"Use Whatcha Got Ladies"

 

 

And Still Indulge Your Passion for Seasonal & Theme Decorating



This Bridal Wreath is DONE
It must be cut down and dug up
Replaced with another
Bridal Wreath

 

 

Fall is the absolute BEST SEASON for fabulous decorating

and without Devouring  the BUDGET

Good Morning Lord- It's Me!

Thoughtful Thoughts for Monday Morning

Jonell

I am A W A K E

Thank YOU God

My feet touch the floor..it's soft & clean 

Priority:  Clean Teeth- Thank You I have MY OWN

For HAIR to brush-
Some people don't have much left and adjusting to a NEW look
Or praying it will hurry & grow back-

Routine:  One Rx-What a blessing I don't have a handful of medicines to take

Everything Has a Story #11

Another Story -

 

Once Upon A Time

 

 Once upon a time...about the summer of 1993 I had a small 'collection' of old Calendars all in great condition. I call it a collection because it was more than 3 and actually all together was a basket full of old calendars.  While they didn't qualify as antique by any means they could be tagged with very, very genuine VINTAGE.

Thoughtful Thoughts from Guest Blogger Cindy Conner

-Son-Flowers

http://creationsbycindyphotography.blogspot.com/

 

Don't you just love sunflowers? When I think about sunflowers I think of two things. My motherinlove who loved sunflowers and Fall.

 

 

 

 

I came across a devotional written by Julia Bettencourt on sunflowers and thought it so appropriate for today as I wanted to share my sunflowers with you.

 

Here's a few lessons we can learn from the sunflower. 

Everything Has A Story #10

There was a time when families gathered in the same room around the same table for meals. This was our custom during these years still...1975 - 1982 with three teenagers and the youngest not far behind.

I never protected the beautiful finish with a pad and we used the table daily...the entire family of six ate at the table for regular meals..Breakfast, lunch and Dinner and homework was done around this table. Imagine the conversations, disagreements, problems created, discussed, and settled here.