And H.E.R.E.'s Abby -

Well, I have finally made it to London!

A long & tiring trip but oh so exciting! Running off only 2 hours of sleep from a 6.5 hour flight, I started my adventure early Thursday morning.

We arrived at the hotel and explored a little before heading to a quick introduction orientation and dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner, we wandered over to see Big Ben & The London Eye (no big deal or anything...). It was absolutely breathtaking to see these landmarks live and in person; especially because they were lit up since it was nighttime. The architecture was so stunning!

After taking only a few (hundred) pictures, we decided to take "The Tube" (metro/subway) back to the hotel. Our advisor had told us we would never need to go out of Zones 1/2 when taking the Tube. Well, we missed our stop and having lived in DC, I figured that it would circle its way back to the stop again. Well, about 35 minutes later we end up in a deserted Zone 5 which was so far out of town with no one around and no one else on the Tube. Luckily, Amanda found a lady who was able to help guide us back on and tell us which stop to take. All in all, a quick 10 minute Tube right took an hour and a half. I guess you live & you learn.

Friday primarily orientation and learning about England & what school will be like in Manchester. One thing I have learned here is that the drivers are RUTHLESS. They do NOT yield to pedestrians & I am pretty sure they do not know how to use their brakes. If you're in the street and the light isn't green to walk, you will most likely get hit. Luckily for me, they have spray painted on the pavement to either "look right" or "look left" since it is opposite from what I am used to.

Introducing Abby-

Introducing my new young friend Abby who has just landed [literally] on London soil to begin a five month long adventure in education, history, travel and who knows what else she will devour from her temporary new home. 

>Hello! My name is Abby Koch and I am a junior at East Carolina University. I am currently studying abroad in England at the University of Manchester. I will be here until mid June! This is my first time abroad and I am so excited to share my experiences with you! My current home is Montgomery, AL but I work in Troy, AL at the Chick Fil A . I have been there for about 3 years and I LOVE working there. Although it is just a quick service restaurant, I love meeting and talking to all the people who pass through each day. Growing up with my dad in the military has given me a big passion to travel! I would love to just travel the world and meet so many different types of people. I hope you enjoy the moments I share with you!   

- Introducing a New Guest Blogger SOON ~

Sure, it's a teaser to grab your attention but you will discover there is more truth than fiction here.

Another Kind of Christmas This Year~

Costa Rica at Christmastime

2015

The plans, the motivation, relationships, new friends, new faces, challenges, smiles, hugs & ahhhhhh yes, the stories.

Let's flash back to November and Sunday morning worship service at FBC/ Troy, Alabama.  Music can be so much more than pleasant to the senses-the Holy Spirit can use our worship time to nudge and direct our thinking.  As we sang praises that morning there was a three way conversation going on in my head-God was prompting-Yes you need to go to Costa Rica, the Holy Spirit was whispering "Yes, Yes"- again and again just simple words- Costa Rica, yes, yes....and just as real my husband Ted cheering in the background "Do it Jonell, stop talking about it-just do it."  That was settled by the time Pastor Luke began his message -no more discussion.  D.O.N.E

The Faces...The Stories

Don't Assume Anything-

About post Christmastime progress-No the storage containers have not made it to the attic yet!  My excuse is they just won't climb those stairs.

I hope I have never misled you-giving you cause to think I am that kind of Gramma, promptly making order  from the chaos on January first.

Handmade Candles thanks to the creative thoughtfulness of

the youngest Grand daughter [ zoom in:  "Around the world

and back again"  ATWABA

Okay, the real scoop -

the ugly truth this January 2016:

The tree I so love, is still up in the living room.  The lights [on a copper thread/wire] are still twinkling wound into the mantle décor. The tabletop trees placed strategically in the dining room, spare bedrooms and even kitchen and computer room [a very tiny one here].  The dining room tablescape has not changed yet though I suspect I will only remove Christmas décor leaving the old bottles to make do or inspire me for a transitional table scene. 

Oh mygoodnessme....I have spent too few hours sitting here this season...So much work and too little time soaking it in- this can be the very best time and space for pondering, meditating, praying, quiet rejoicing..

Confession:  I did not handle this well for 2015-not discouraging though it gets me started with an early to-do LIST -plans, goals -reminders not resolutions!

Let's move on:  It will get done when it gets done-quoting my children; "It is what it is."

Looking ahead  note that I have some incredible things to share with you as this new year begins..as I get it together I will share Pictures and stories from our Costa Rica Mission trip [ First Baptist Church, Troy,Alabama ] in December then perhaps you will empathize.  Maybe not, nonetheless, I look forward to sharing My reason for Costa Rica...part of that story goes way back to the 1950's.

Our family has a Wedding on the 2016 calendar, a high school graduation, some travel and of course with all the Grands & our Mr. Lincoln [Great Grand] there will continue to be happenings & blessings to share as appropriate.

Looking Forward- Still

2016

Jonell

A Work in Progress-Still

"The Rest of the Story"

(Not really- just another chapter-perhaps a single paragraph but The Rest of the Story sounds so clever -thanks, Paul Harvey )

I often look back - consider the present,

seeing  how perfectly ordered and complete

the Seasons of my life have been.

I almost said: "have come together"

but  that would sound like something accidentally falling into place.

 I don't see my life that way. 

The Seasons of my life:

Coming to Christ at 8 years old

The Cinderella Years

Finding Our Way- More Stumbling than Climbing

Milestones 1982-Teaching-Maturing

The Texas Years-

( Time for the Flowers- )

Our Miracle Years 1983- 2006

Home Wrapped Around Us-

Another Season

of Beauty-

Contentment-

Front Porch Prayers, Making 'pretty' and comfortable all around us.

July 2006- August 18, 2013

A New Chapter

"Table for One"

Did God forget or ignore anything?

Amazing-

He Thought of Everything-

Gave us every season we needed or dreamed of and even more!

He allowed time for stumbling, failing and detours-

And never forgot the nurturing, encouraging do overs-

Our God wanted us to have the mountain top experiences -

That inevitably drew us closer to Him-

Especially after the dark orValley times.

And While we waited often not patiently for answers

He never turned loose ...held us closely, never letting go

While he shaped and molded us.

And He knew how to throw a Party to Celebrate...Victories.

Ah, looking back at all the Surprise Parties He

Planned & Orchestrated for us

An ever present reminder of His Faithfulness

All the While

He Knew, He Knew

Looking Forward-Again,

A Child of the King

Not About Presents But His Presence ~

 Yes, Yes, that 9 foot tree is  D.O.N.E....For all the seasons since 2006 I have continued to be on the hunt -in season & out- for a FEW MORE perfect ornaments that fit my Silver, Gold, Clear Glass & White O.N.L.Y...(No others-no red, green, blue etc) Some were significantly Vintage...a few verging on antique..others 21st century, handmade or a bit of age qualifies them.

Ah, yes - so many Christmastime memories especially when you've had a life so long as mine. So many I cannot share a post that captures them.

This post won't be finished today...believe that! It's already becoming scrambled eggs in my head. Consider the childhood memories..the simple, often sad lessons learned memories of times so different than now. That's called HISTORY...my history.

Then there are the theme Christmas memories..the hard times when giving is in your heart but never in your pocket book,remember any of those?

I always...I mean always have loved to be the GIVER. One great thing about this season of my life is I am NOT caught up in the traditional Christmas gifting of the past..

How I wish as a child I had the influence of this age of creativity-had I known how to make something from nothing and pick up bundles & pieces of God's creation and repurpose it as I do now...oh well that was then..the beauty & the gifts were of a different kind.

In another era the fresh fruit from Florida filled us with joy and thankfulness..and the candy canes were delightful.  The Raisins [grapes dried on the vines] made a lifetime memory for my husband to cherish.

I shall always remember the family gatherings when a daughter in law or the Grands  ransacked my closets, drawers to find scarves, ties, robes, towels or fabric pieces to dress themselves for their own production of the Christmas Story-the Bible story of Jesus' birth.  The most recent featured our great grandson Lincoln as the baby Jesus.

While it is not a gift but a memory there is very little more precious to me than the Christmas Eve Candlelight service at church and also setting out luminaries along our side walk during the season. 

Remember, we began with the statement that it

[Christmas] is not about presents but His Presence?

100 Reasons It's No Fun Decorating A Christmas Tree Alone ~

And At Least 10 Good Reasons For Doing It Anyway

Wait, put that 'mouse' down- don't leave and go to  Susan's

Blog at Between Naps On the Porch blog

Yes, I know she's a busy blogger, world traveler, decorator, photographer-
Wait - Are we talking about

Ree Drummond the Pioneer Woman?-
(You know, the one who dropped off all her pretty dishes in Wal Mart)

copied

I know, I know they do it all and get every table set and every tree decorated,
plan their holiday menu to perfection..

You don't hear them whining about not being able to get this year's Christmas Tree done.

I  K.N.O.W  T.H.A.T

But this is me-

Jonell

the Gramma that lives at the homemade blog called

Like Gramma's House

and occasionally dropping by at

Shades of White

and every once in a blue moon she remembers her starter blog

Down the Lane

Yes this is just me-Not a superwoman entrepreneur or blogger with a zillion followers-

This mere human trying to shuffle through the new life I am now navigating

is still basically in kindergarten-

Praise the Lord -ANYWAY!

 OR YOU TAKE A SHORT NAP

AND A LUNCH BREAK

WHAT DO YOU DO...

You are trying to replace your dream stove-this is the 3rd try-

The Delivery is in the store ready to be picked up.

It just happens to be the best day for the two sons in the same city to pick it up and deliver it to my house- an hour away.

How terrific!

I am getting excited-

Prepared.

Of course I'm not waiting to have them move things around in the breakfast room

and kitchen

I CAN DO THIS.

Grab a large thick bath towel and slip it under all fours legs of the pie safe type cabinet-

Slip that table in the breakfast room back about 12 inches

Remove the breakables  and the scales hanging in the way

It's DONE...Ready-Set-...wait

Not long now.

NEWS FLASH:

THE STOVE-

is DEFECTIVE-FROM THE FACTORY-Not damaged in transporting -

the third one I have been willing to accept as a replacement for MY perfect stove

[Okeefee & Merritt gas range from about 1950]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOkay

hit the PAUSE KEY...

Reset to: FLEXIBLE

Then just decide to LET IT GO!

FAST FORWARD TWO DAYS TO FRIDAY-

The dew is all gone from the grass in the yard -the perfect time to get that

YARD DONE TODAY

No problems with the mower-

The handy dandy son who can fix everything brought back the air compressor-repaired

All I have to do is put some more air in that front mower tire that keeps sharing it's air

with the outdoors I guess

Anyway it must have more air.

I'm ready to start being proud to get this yard in shape, looking good and be able to say:

I DID THAT!

Not so fast-

have key....that's all I have

IS IT A DEAD BATTERY?

NO SOUND, NOT EVEN A WHISPER WHEN I TURN THAT KEY IN THE IGNITION...

Not even a w h i s p e r-

We agree these things are usually some very simple problem right?

Not for ME!!

NOT TODAY-NOT THIS WEEK-

After touching base with the Mr. Fix It...wise counsel..

I CAME TO THIS CONCLUSION:

Sometimes it's just a good idea to stop and Take a little....

short NAP.

aND MAYBE A LUnCH BREaK!!

SOMETIMES referred to as having a hissy fit....

or threatening to run away from home...

or just plain

HIdING OUT IN THE MIddLE OF

D E N I A L..

PRETENDING

If I just ignore this it will go away..

or Fix itself!

The lunch I ran away from home for

While in a state called DENIAL...didn't look like THIS..

It looked more like a BLT-toasted-add your own mayo

[white bread b/c we're out of whole wheat]

& Why did they butter this bread before toasting

[the ticket clearly read-no butter on bread-I checked]

And the Soup- Vegetable Soup that seemed a bit like

Brunswick Stew..

But that's okay-really

The French Fries looked like-uhhhhhhhhh

Actually there were none...even though it was clearly noted on the ticket-

But- that's okay too-

I didn't need to eat fries

 Again I would have enjoyed it more if my

Water w/ Lemon

Had been mineral water-

can't have it if they don't have any.

TRULY

I am not really this difficult and persnickety-

It's just on Wednesdays & Fridays

Everything crumbles apart.

Again that's not entirely a bad thing..

It gave me something to share with you & allow you to either feel sorry for me,

laugh at another old lady or just

Sit there shaking your head -bewildered and asking;

Why am I reading this?

I AM GLAD YOU ARE-

Insert  S M I L E   here~

ALMOST as Much As My Own -

Yes, I Do Like This Porch Scene

Almost as Much as My Own

Let's All Go Visit-

Something Tells Me The

WELCOME MAT

Is out-Let's Go!

http://sweetteaandsavinggraceblog.com/2015/11/join-me-for-sweetteascopes-on-periscope.

This Is Me -

*Editorial Note:  I have no idea what's going on with my pictures-have to put that on my 'to do' list-

R e a l l y-

This is Me!

Don't get your hopes up-

[You Know that Grammas are boring]

I'm Sharing Today With  Jann Olson-Come With Me!

http://jannolson.blogspot.com/2015/10/share-your-cup-thursday-171.html

On the outside chance some of you have been holding your breath to see a post like this on Like Gramma's House-here goes:

• Rainy Days...with occasional rumblings of distant thunder-
• Overcast days, leaves barely fluttering falling randomly On days like that one gets to down shift....hit the pause button...move to an 'on hold' folder all the important things that had to be done or happen that day. L A T E R Y'all!
• Wild things blooming in the ditches alongside the highways & country roads. NEWS FLASH -It's a good thing when the rag weed starts filling the ditches...because the GOLDENROD shows up and what a way to brighten up things. Why would anyone pay for Goldenrod when God has arranged for it in such abundance all around [unless you live in dead center of a metropolitan area and never leave the city...in that case "bless your heart."]

Oh my Lord,

Creator of all that was,

is or ever will be..

How I am loving all the natural beauty around me....Natural things for a multitude of uses, practical and decorative or ornamental...gourds, loofas, gnarly bare branches, cones from trees of all kinds, magnolia, pine, oak whatever. Huge beautifully shaped pine cones and let's not forget the

Acorns...the little ones from my back yard are okay but then I drool over the great big acorns from [I think it's called] a White Oak tree. The last time someone gifted me with a bag of these I made them last at least 15 years...where have they gone?

Of course the tiny, tiny little cones from trees in Maine that I have only seen once in my life..cones the size of my 'little pinky finger nail."  What a thrill when after asking my family in Maine at the time to send me some they actually did send me a package of those amazing teeny tiny cones.  I must look for some pictures .

Doesn't Everyone Get Excited Over Driftwood?

Driftwood  from along the beaches.....or make believe driftwood  from down by the creek....with beautiful curly, ruffly things growing on one side.  So would you say that Nature really speaks to my soul???/   No!  it's not simply nature.  It's Creation...and the Creator who speaks to my innermost being...that would be Soul, right?  I think so. 

Just Ask Me About Christmastime

I adore Christmastime..O Holy Night -  blue lights in [only] the house windows..or if you are blessed with a husband who would try to make anything happen that you asked him to do..blue lights secured around the Star atop the old 1900ish  barn in Texas. blue lights like the picture we have in our heads anyway, of the star of Bethlehem.

And I will always remember the outdoor scenes with cold weather, a fire to warm by and people from the community gathering to watch the live presentation of the Christmas Story- in Crossett, Arkansas

All Clear Lights...everywhere, everywhere...don't know when I graduated from the carnival lights of [childhood] Red and Blue and Green and Yellow perhaps it was around the time I left the foil icicles behind in the after Christmas throw away bags..Oh but it's a good thing..no more icicles to toss and bicker over the correct way to get them hung on the tree. 

Giving...Gifting...I think I knew I  had become a grown up when without a doubt I loved giving more than the receiving of gifts at Christmastime.

I don't look forward to gifts but the giving to others.  Could that possibly come from those

times as a child when I [thought] had nothing to give? 

If I had been surrounded with all the creativity as a child that surrounds my life now...what fun I could have had with the discovering, the creating, the presentation [ even gift wrapping] .

But it makes for wonderful real time, present day story telling- recalling everyone's version of those tacky old ice cicles...Mom was always the only one who knew how it should be done...ending with each and every foil strip hanging neatly alone...not tossed by the handfuls  willy nilly fashion with each toss forming a nasty little mess - yes little nests of a mess of foil icicles. ...

I wonder if someone is now listing those things on a Pinterest Board labelled Repurposed Christmas Decorations of the past.

Annnnnd..

FAMILY

Country Life-

Country Living-The Real Thing

Just a guess but I will go out on a short limb and say this house pictured could be 100 years old-likely a bit more. If these pictures and bits southern historical trivia catch your interest see more on Face Book /Grits & Gravy

Source-Found on Face book Grits & Gravy /

Check the www.address in bottom right corner for the person who submitted the photo

I lived in houses just like this growing up in the rural south Georgia area in the 1940's and 1950's-

Many years later it was like a dream come true [ strange as it may sound] that my husband and I were able to buy a very large farm in Southeast Texas with a 1906 dog trot farmhouse where we lived for 13 years pouring all our creative energy, and lots of as we say 'sweat' into making that farmhouse into what was sometimes described as a museum.

Who Do We Follow?

About Who We Readily Follow As Bloggers

And What We Model For Those Following us

[In our everyday lives or on the printed pages of our blogs]

Do you remember this song as a very young child?

"Oh, be careful little ears what you hear,

Be careful little eyes what you see,

Be careful little mouth what you say......"

[and always ending with-]

'"For the Father up above,

Is watching down in love...." 

Things We do For Strangers Even-

Stopping in front of City Hall today I noticed the car parking beside  me.  The lady in the passenger side started to open her door, stopped & apparently reached into the glove compartment pulled out a hair brush, started to brush her hair carefully, got out of the car and proceeded into the City Hall. 

Now she was ready...

Presentable as she entered our City Hall offices-

[probably to pay her utility bill as I was]

When Others Are Hurting -

Monday Morning Thoughtful Thoughts

It's Normal To Want To Fix It

When Others Are Hurting

We want to reach out and make it all go away.

Not all of our loved ones are in our family circle

Not all are close by, down the street, across town or just a short drive away.

Often we have left loved ones miles away where we were once connected

And shared our designated time together

As our [life] paths crossed for a time

A few months or

For years.

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