Family Gathering ~ His & Hers

[It couldn't have come together without the help of my husband.]
A family gathering [honoring our son Steve and his soon to be  Bride Carol ] came together without a hitch.. to be more literal [truthful] without  glitches that couldn't be overcome or overlooked. No more yardage of burlap ..buy the whole bolt next time! My oven thermostat quit on me. How do you make Cornbread [goes with Chili] without an oven? You live across the street from a lovely neighbor who leaves you the house key and use her oven! Thanks Dee!  The alternate plan for cooking the appetizer [ outdoor grill] doesn't produce the desired effect ..result not as planned so whaddya do?  You say "oh well" and forget it then move on to the main event. Everyone has arrived, time to  Greet & Ask the Blessing ...then I discover my CAMERA is [temporarily] lost!  David: "MOM, we all have cameras on our phones." Of course!!!!!!!!!  I will share my pics taken earlier in the day and hope family members share those taken that night and I will add those for you when available.

Primitive island built from [1906]
kitchen floor of the Tx. farmhouse-
utilized for drink service-old  enamel
dish pan  holds ice.
[after discarding supplies and washing]
.



Table for 8> burlap overlay, Silver/Gold pie pumpkins,
fresh cedar, sweet gum multi shades of fall leaves,
tallow berries, freshly fallen leaves from our yard,
real nuts from my kitchen, sprigs of unidentified
 wild flowers and numerous little candle lites-
Natural beauty mostly from nearby wooded area.



Pictures taken earlier in the day-NO, we didn't
 forget the  relocate the WATER HOSE.
I had to share this with you.  Mid morning Ted
observed that one bench seemed a little less
than trustworthy but quickly added
 "I can make a new one..it will only take half an hour."
And....HE DID!

 Gramma's antique QUILT becomes a TABLECLOTH.
YES, I DID! 
The smaller overlay is burlap and centerpiece a
Natural mix of numerous  offerings from NATURE
nearby, including but not limited to..painted &
unpainted pumpkins, nuts, tallow berries,Cedar sprigs,
Sweet gum branches and newly fallen leaves from my
own yard- w candle lites.
Daytime pics didn't catch the oh so neet silver lanterns
  Lowe's was kind enough to put on sale a few weeks ago..
Perhaps we'll  light the lanterns tonight & take more pictures.
Sure, I can do that!!

The cropped version of the round table centerpiece-don'tcha love it!!



You  will have to imagine all my [bright, bold colors] FIESTAWARE added to this setting-unless a family member shows up with  pictures taken at night with place settings of winter green, orange, shades of yellow, even a couple of red -GOT FIESTAWARE? USE IT~

Let's Find Dad Something To Do ~

When we have a crowd and eat on the deck or patio this
area is usually utilized for serving-Ted suggested he make
this basically permanent by attaching to the [lower level]
of the deck floor.  Great Job!

This antique baby bed was planted with IRISES at the farmhouse in Texas

and traveled with us for the move back to Alabama over 5 years ago.

This has been my PLAN all along. He made the bed frame,added the first
layer of  soil -more to come-Next comes the bulbs. His suggestion is to
put the bulbs in theground &[for springs flowering] and get some
ornamentals down to enjoy during the cool weather months..now does that
sound like a PLAN!?

Well, It looks like PROGRESS to us! This antique Syrup Pan
[like those we used in south Georgia during the 1900's & earlier]
also came with us in the move from the farm in Southeast
Texas five plus years ago.
Yes, the intent from the beginning
has been to use it as the lower element of a three part
WATER FEATURE
The plan is to use an antique PUMP for the top element and in
the middle emptying into the syrup pan an antique
CAMP FIRE COFFEE POT. 
We found a water pump & started choosing plants..
definitely not finished with that selection more  to come.
I am not complaining about everything being unfinished.
It's PROGRESS~

Postscript: This is so much fun.  If you will look carefully at the picture of the water feature project toward the area behind it ..[another project]  That's where my Wisteria covered  /reading hideaway  [arbor] will be soon.  The WISTERIA is already growing beautifully and we now have the posts for framing it up. It is to be an L shaped structure making it possible to be comfortable no matter the time of day and direction of the sun. [ notice the purple color is the color of the Wisteria blooms ]

The Recipe~

Remember the TV show The Waltons? Remember the two sisters who kept the moonshine supply going and distributed it as The Recipe? They were rather naive-didn't know the beverage their Papa had made and shared was moonshine because he referred to it as the Recipe.  Okay enough of that. Here's my Recipe for very cool weather in the deep south.
Grab your favorite mug and make yourself a big cup of Hot Chocolate..then do whatever makes you feel amazing.  For me sometimes its a warm afgan & a television show, sometimes it's a book I'm wanting to read or finish and other times it's a chair on the front porch  checking out the neighbors, their yards or just to listen to the birds do their thing.
Here's my #1 favorite hand thrown pottery mug, so big and wonderfully shaped I just love wrapping my hands around the warm shape and  settling into the moment. I couldn't figure out how to take a picture of me/hands just holding onto the mug but I did come up with something for you~

We don't do instant, premixed hot chocolate at my house-
You should ask for the recipe.

One year at Chrismastime in Jasper, Tx. My friend Brenda and I

both wanted to take home [buy] these mugs [there were 4] &

we were both so passionate about it we finally settled on a plan:

I took two and Brenda took the other two.  Silly women-wonderful

memories of some fabulous friends~[Shirley & Brenda B ]



Old Things Like New Again~

Just a short history here:  Ted said "No, I don't remember where we found it/bought it, and no I don't remember how much we paid for it.  I just know we have hauled it all over the country with us as we have moved."

He's right. We have. And I remember every single time I personally moved the scales into a new spot whenever we had moved into another home.  It is so heavy I always said It only gets placed once. Every time I got in a big hurry and took things into my own hands rather than wait for help..there was  significant back strain. That was my fault. I do get impatient though when I am working out these urgent matters . [decorating]

Now for the facts- We found the Toledo scales in an old antique store in north Arkansas [circa 1978] during the time we lived in Crossett, Arkansas   and paid a whopping $20. for it.  It had been painted a gosh awful  blue which I hated and had rusting and peeling paint areas, however; the scales weighed accurately.

When we moved to Brundidge from southeast Texas 5 1/2 years ago the scales were stored outside and truthfully I had completely given up on ever having them in the house again..As always, my dear husband is at least two steps ahead and came up with a plan.  He took it to an auto paint and body shop about 6 months ago and left is with the understanding that it better measure up to his wife's expectations. He was given a price of $100. and we thought that was fine.  After several visits to check up on the job and finding nothing had been done I had about given up [AGAIN] on having it done. The business changed hands during this time and no one ever called us. It turns out the new owner didn't have our contact info and felt for sure we would come by because no one would let that treasure get away.  He was right.  One more time we checked on them -they finished it and Ted paid him the $50. he asked for the job.  Yippee~ That made it even sweeter. You know I am a cheapskate! 

God is Good...and HIs Mercy Endures Forever~

Well, Have You EVER??

The answer is: "No, I never, but I always wanted to." This post idea was inspired by Ree Drummond on her site http://thepioneerwoman.com .  Ree posted the statement  "I am forty two years old and have never...." with the challenge to add your own.
mmmm let’s see now what I can do with this. I am 70 years old and have never:

1.Never Been to Disney World ,The Grand Canyon, New York City, Canada, California,      Washington D.C. , Mexico or  Europe

2. Never vacationed in the Mountains or seen a Broadway show/play

3..Been On a Cruise or on a Riverboat Cruise [ A 2 hr Bellengrath Gardens boat ride doesn't count as a cruise]

4.. Received a REAL ORCHID from my husband since our wedding day

5. Never had FALSE TEETH -not even a Bridge, Never been bald

6.. Never had a diamond bracelet or diamond earrings [I like Vintage Costume jewelry]

7.  Never had Cancer -  a heart attack , high blood pressure, a stroke-  nor diabetes

8. Never had twins - but I was born a twin

9.Never  been Divorced nor wanted to be divorced. Never wanted any husband other than the prince charming God gave me

10.Never had an 8 lb baby..All ours were 9lb 15 oz -10 1/2 lbs-no kidding!

11. Never had a 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

12.. Never been a Miss America- but who needs that I was Miss PHS 1957 and every other title that starts with a Miss during high school,  usually while wearing a BORROWED evening gown. Can we add Star Student award/scholarship and FFA Sweetheart to that? This is only something one can do when you are 70 years old. Any younger and it's in such bad taste.

Postscript: But I have:

[ Sub title Life is Good! ]

• Lived in 8 states Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Indiana, Arkansas, Texas
• In 1959-Traveled by car ALONE [18 1/2 yrs old] shortly after we married from Demopolis, Alabama to Virginia Beach, Virginia-frightened but determined not to show it. My husband was in Virginia. That was my motivation.
• Experienced knowing each of my children, their spouses and each grandchild made a decision to accept Christ
• Production & Acting in Community Theater,Organization of a Dinner Theater in Ky.
• Produced, staged, Narrated & modeled in Fashion Shows
• Been a Homeroom Mother, PTA President &Cultural Enrichment Group,  president of numerous groups & community organizations.
• Visited the state of Maine once-Had lunch in a MacDonald's restaurant in Maine..in a small Victorian style house on a street lined with unimaginable fall foliage in October
• Been a Sunday School Teacher -all ages
• Vacation Bible School teacher & usually Director more times than I can count
• Hosted Weekend Youth Retreats on the farm in Texas- High School Girls Only
• Organized, promoted and operated Monthly Market Days in our OLD BARN in Texas
• Sold Radio Station Advertising In Montgomery, Al..-not good memories,Cosmetic Company Sales Manager & Franchise owner-Worked in Retail; Drugs, Dept. Store, Furniture. Dept Store Window Dressing, Sales in a Furniture Store-Antique Business,Owned & managed a Restaurant with my husband
• Produced Christmas Programs for Church ,Christian School & Church Office Manager
• Been to a Mardi Gras Ball
• Been on Television-at least 3 or 4 times Organized & promoted a Bozo the Clown show for children in Eldorado, Arkansas
• A public speaker, charity fund raiser, organizer-does this qualify me to be President?
• Taken a vacation without my husband and with 3  boys [before our daughter was born] under  6 years old-all the way to Tampa Florida, up to south Georgia and back to Alabama in a station wagon-before seat belts
• Another vacation from Kentucky to south Alabama with 4 children-Dad joined us later for this one.
• Met Pat Boone and Anita Bryant and B.J. Thomas in Monroe, La. Got my books signed by Pat Boone and Anita Bryant.
• Walked alongside  Michael Landon at the Louisville, Ky. airport-early 1970's..Deanna pointed him out: "Mom, it's Little Joe!" He heard her, looked down and smiled & winked at her. He was wearing heather grey slacks-flared/bell bottom and a heather grey long sleeve crew neck "cashmere" I am sure sweater.
• Stood beside "Dr. Ruth" at an airport gift shop [ I'm not bragging...but  I do remember]
• Learned a beautiful chorus "I love you Lord" from a very young grandson Ethan.
• I survived  four grandsons' visiting us at the farm in Texas ..all at the same time   [my idea]
• Spent some  time on the Gulf Coast at the Beach -divine if you choose the right month
• known some incredible people in the ministry -privileged to be close to many of them
• Attended  Beth Moore, Kay Arthur, Priscilla Schirrer women's conferences
• had some amazing BEST FRIENDS like Shirley & Angela.
• Finally got to spend some quality time with my sister Gwen after all these years and so few visits.
• Did I mention My Cinderella High School Years? This had to be God's Hand in my life.
• THE most memorable job of my life was my last workplace experience. I was placed in the middle of all younger adults in an office where without exception families and individual lives could easily be described as TRAIN WRECKS..I pray I made a difference. At least one of those has managed to climb out of the wreckage and build a good life. Praise God!
• This would be a starter list-I guess when you have lived 70+ years you get to do many things. I pray some of it will have been meaningful~of eternal value.
• ~to be continued

~All In Fun,
Jonell

...and God Created Autumn~

...and God created AUTUMN...a time to shop the roadsides and nearby woods for unique & often overlooked naturals-things of beauty growing in the ground, winding around trees or along fences or old fence posts. Don't forget the falling leaves - as their colors turn they turn loose. 

When it's time for parties & family gatherings out comes my  plan for decorating, creating a festive environment that says to   guests: " We knew you  were coming and are so glad you are here!"

For some  that means trips  to Michael's or Hobby Lobby.  I love those too.. But my all time favorite place to shop for decorating supplies is God's Glorious outdoors. 

This project moved us to venture out today on the golf cart to  cruise nearby wooded acres.  I like whipping around  in the little buggy..short trips to the shop on Main Street or checking out  not so far away neighborhoods along the railroad track.  I'm not sure we are "legal" for city streets [ no horn, no turn signals] but who's going to stop a couple of old folks?  For this  outing today we checked out  potential pecan harvest near the baseball park, then went looking for interesting greenery, cones, pods or vines in the woods.  I have my list of naturals  but I also like to survey the woods for  backup materials. [ plan B]

My Plan A includes knocking on a door near the post office and meekly asking  a stranger if I could relieve them of just one or two of the beautiful branches from the tree in their front yard. The rest of the ride was dodging hanging vines dipping head first down ditches and hanging on for dear life when my driver takes sharp turns tearing into spots that bring out the 'girl' in me.  My pleas fall on deaf ears  because he is confident or  not  thinking  I am the one who goes flying into the thick brush if he turns too sharply.  I'm a whimp-he knows what he's doing~ always does .

Did I  mention the wonderful  cool breezes?  We spotted the most perfect spot for a house and a perfect litte 5-6 ft Cedar Christmas Tree. Maybe someone else who still uses a real tree will stumble upon it at just the right time  closer to the Christmas time. All these years we had a real tree until 2006 when we moved to Brundidge I  made the change to a slim line artificial tree that touches the 9 ft. ceiling.  So there- I am not too old to change!

July 2011-Samantha & Pop Cleaning up the GC~

Happy shopping in Gods creation!

It's A Party~

A Rainy Day down south- Amen and thank you God!  Waking up to the sounds of rumbling ruffles of thunder and  heavy drizzle of rain showering all around us-what could be better?   Can we just keep this going all day? Grab that Coffee mug and hold on as we soak in creation. It's ever so gently  wrapped around us.  And the birds are not calling off their party because of inclimate weather.  They are a special part of this CREATION CELEBRATION. 

My husband cautioned me not to expect any blooms until October-
The first few showed up about September 28th or 29th.
I'd call that: Right on time~



Ahhhhh~ Creation

Missouri-Dogwood Canyon-Imagine What it Looks like in the Fall~
The sign reads: Welcome to Arkansas

Distinctively Vintage~

Look what I have managed to hold onto over the years!  At the very top is the OLDEST from High School. Next is the shiny black patent envelope bag that was part of my GOING AWAY OUTFIT after our Wedding. Next the Gold Mesh like material from the 1970's. To the left at the bottom I THINK this little black treasure may have been from the 1960's. [Oh well, I can't remember everything] Bottom Right is a dandy little "almost antique" bag I bought for resale along with five more when we tagged along with the LONGEST YARD SALE last year in August 2010. I meant to sell those [5] oldies but customers have had their chance-brought two of them home.  Our Grand daughter Dylan borrowed one of the Vintage ones for this year's Prom. Now that I think of it all of those I have saved ARE Vintage..so what does that make Gramma- Vintage or Antique?
~All In Fun,
Jonell

Remnants of Long Ago~

Do you have remnants of another time? Have you held onto a few things from your wedding day? Do You have little treasured pieces of Baby things that your little ones once used or wore or were given as gifts?

Oooooooooooookay, so maybe I am not alone.  If so you would not consider me a hoarder just a wife, mother with a drawer or perhaps a box with a few reminders of another time that are too sweet and personal to just toss away or throw into the Goodwill collection box.

I will share my goodies if you will share a few of yours.  I have the little black shiny envelope style purse from my Going Away outfit. 

That's what we called the outfit we wore when we left for our honeymoon after the wedding. Inside that little accessory is the copy of my pre- wedding blood test , a post card with a picture of the Motel where we spent the night on our wedding night, and a small printed [ Ted and Jonell Harrison] napkin from the wedding reception. Of course I still have my small White Bible I carried down the isle.  It was a gift from Mershon Baptist Church Girl's Auxiliary group. The presenter made a note inside indicating they were taking note of the fact that I had been the first President of the new organization. The price sticker left inside showed $4.95. I used it regularly until I began to need a larger print and a concordance. This little memento is on a shelf in our living room now. Naturally I have kept my Bride's Book and the dried Orchid placed inside it lasted for many years then  finally disintegrated.

We still have the Shawl blanket given for our first child..I used it for the next two babies but then got a new one when our first and only daughter was born. I think I passed that along to her years later. 

I have shared a number of baby things but Our children are not noticeably sentimental about keepsakes like this so passing along and having them used again has not worked out  well. Our three boys  got new suits..each distinctively different when they were in grade school approximately 7 1/2-8 1/2 & 10 years old. By the time they were 12 or 13 it was almost impossible to find suits for boys..this was early to mid 1970's. I kept those suits and in perfect condition passed them along to them when they had little boys .I had thought it would be so neet to have pictures of their little ones in the same suits..but then that was MY idea, not theirs.   I guess they forgot about them.  Same story with some of the boys' Scout uniforms. When our daughter was in 9th grade [ I think] she and I had a photo made together -she was wearing a Christmas red plaid shirt.  I saved it and she now has it -  in tact. Somewhere in this house there are Brownie badges that belonged to our daughter..need to think of something [soon] to do with them.

Now I ask you does that list of saved items sound like that of a hoarder? That's a rhetorical question.  I'm wondering what you have done with saved treasures? btw..I do have one blanket chest with enough clothing [mine] for a small group of girls to  have fun putting on a fashion show.  that has happened a  number of times. I don't regret hanging on to those. One of the most significant fashion items saved  is my 1972 navy polyester short short dress-sailor style..it hangs on the inside of my bedroom closet door and a few years ago our oldest  grand daughter exclaimed "Gramma, YOU WORE THAT?" Across the room on the back side of our bedroom door is hanging the top half [blouse they called them] of one of Ted's white Navy Uniforms from the 1950s [ We have several of those] No one is going to make me feel bad about that!! I love it.  It's there but not  clutter or  a "tacky" statement. It's a slight but tasteful display of memorabilia.

I failed to mention..we have Ted's Original WEDDING BAND.  He received a new one the year of our 50th Anniversary.

One day soon I will put together a [tasteful] display of all these and photograph ..then add to this post for you.

Now,  what relics from the past  have you been able to hold onto?? It's share time.
~All In Fun,
Jonell

Distant Connections-Still Family~

My Introduction to My Mobley Great Grand Parents

James Eli & Joicie Elizabeth Swindel Mobley-
Parents of Marion Albert Mobley

I think I shall never forget the night I was introduced to them. [  2001 ] I had been working for quite a while sharing my own personal Mobley family information with Carl Williams in Orlando Florida area. He was the keeper of the Mobley website. After carefully reviewing the names, dates, etc I began to pass along the pictures via the internet. Late, late in the wee hours of the morning the last picture he shared with me was of my Mobley Great Grandparents..the parents of My Grandpa Marion Albert Mobley. I was not prepared for my emotional response. I cannot describe it. You see my grandparents were very real to me. There were multiple times growing up when my mother and siblings were  living with Grandpa and Grandma in Mershon, Ga...just DOWN THE LANE from Aunt Laura and Uncle Jack Mobley. Because they were so real to me..it was just a small stretch to reach out and  touch my newly discovered Great Grand parents whom I actually had never known.

My husband had awakened and when he walked past me at the computer I declared:   "Sweetheart, I just met my Mobley Great Grandparents."  mmm talk about Connections!!

Charles' Bride-

Remembering a friend & neighbor in Texas: Millie Northrop was our neighbor @ 10 years-just across on the road on 2626. She prayed for us b 4 she knew us; She & Charles prayed for us Daily I am sure. Millie had such a joyful spirit-His JOY-She shared so easily-her tomatoes.to be sure we had a taste of fresh ones in season-She knew who she was-what she believed-her role in life-her role in family was no-nonsense, practical person willing to mentor & share..if  wanted.

I will think of Millie  when I make her recipe for carrot salad and when we have Peas that remind me of the Miller  Peas she so often served for company..

I will remember her when I am in touch with Alana -knowing how she appreciated the time we spent with her grand daughter.

  I remember her good dishes & bought a cup/saucer of same pattern just b/c that's Millie's pattern.  I will think of her when I drink morning coffee from it as I did early today..the day Charles buried his Bride.  [ he often referred to her as his BRIDE.]

Millie knew the value of praying God's Word-she experienced the joy of answered prayer and the knowledge that God is Who He Says He is..God can do what He says he can, that she was who He says she was, that she could do all things through Christ and His word was real and alive in her.

 What a beautiful picture remembering how Charles served her coffee in bed early in the morning before they had their Bible study/prayer time before starting the day. She often mentioned how they worked like A TEAM.  They were like  Guardian Angels across the road..always praying - taking our needs to Him even when they were not sure what the needs were..they still prayed faithfully as they did for so many family and loved ones especially the lost or broken.

Later, beautiful person~ jwh

post script: I must remember to use spell check and take a second look at the sentence structure & punctuation-She was always the teacher ~

Believing God~

• God is who He says He is
• God can do what He says He can do
• I am Who God says I am
• I can do all things through Christ
• God's Word is alive and active in me

" I AM BELIEVING GOD."

[ From Beth Moore's Study " Believing God"]

A ~COOL~ Gramma

How do I find the words?  We had difficulty lingering on GRAMMA'S FRONT PORCH this morning. Remember, we are in South Alabama.  After two days of Heaven Sent Rain from tropical storm Lee, with a little wind thrown in for drama and a bit of tension to go along with the Tornado  Siren and TV weather watch ..we had to grab something with sleeves this morning.  After sleeping late I slipped out of my comfy spot, pulled on a chambray, long sleeved Auburn shirt, grabbed my coffee mug and slipped out the front door to discover the temperature was right at 60 degrees. Ah, what did I do to deserve this moment?

"Every good and perfect gift...."  Yes, it's just as easy to oooooooooh and ahhhhhhhhhhh over that near chilly outdoor air as it was  the long awaited rain the past two days.  It all comes from Him.

Nevermind- we Southerners all know the warm, even hot humid weather is not over..just let us revel in this sneak preview of wintry mornings in the deep south. 

Hey,I agree it does not take much to make me happy-even giddy with excitement. LIFE IS GOOD!  Grab it, hug it, snuggle with it, be thankful ..in another week there will be new "gifts" to rattle on and on about.  Don't wander off too far...We'll share those with you.

Dream vs Reality

As a teenager I always wanted to look like so many other girls.  I wanted to be considered Vivacious like Faye.

I would have 'as they say" died to have clothes like Laura Jean, Joan, Charlotte and toward the end of high school what I wouldn't have given to be able to see on my feet wearing those incredible,  princess like ..ballet type flats [shoes] usually with a dainty little strap that buttoned on the side with the tiniest little pearly white button.  mmmm let's see who wore those? Linda Ann, Bonnie, Ann, Sybil- EVERYONE or so it seemed everyone except me.

Funny thing..many of those shoe styles have COME BACK in recent years.  YES! I can have those shoes that made me GREEN WITH ENVY.  Let's go shoe shopping!  Ahhhhhhh can you imagine how I felt when I looked down at my feet wearing the fantasy  of my dreams...They looked hideous. [on me]  What happened? Who played a trick on me? They killed the wonderful designers who made them just perfection in the late 50's.  This  can't be. [Big, big sigh~]

Again this reminds me of another thing I always wanted.  I shall never forget the ORCHID my sweetheart-now husband of 52 years] gave me to wear to my Junior /Senior Banquet [same as Prom]. That was the most unspeakably beautiful ORCHID I have ever seen..actually I think that might have been the first one I had seen up close. [It's okay you can laugh with me]

I don't want to ask for special things. It's is much more enjoyable to have my husband read my mind and know that I wanted him to find that orchid again..ya'll I got tired of waiting. My husband would have given me that. I don't ask. Finally at about 50 years old I got sick and tired of waiting for the mind reading feat.  One Easter Sunday I showed up at church with a yes, you guessed it the most beautiful big orchid.  People assumed he gave it to me.  He wasn't  going for that. He told the truth.  I bought it for myself.   I am completely "over" that orchid thing.  The thrill was gone- On Monday I gave it to a friend to give to a bride to be at her shower.  Someone else truly did enjoy it.

I really need to write self a note to revisit this line of thought.  There are numerous other "I always wanted" stories I will continue and share with you after I stop ROFL at myself~
post script: September 7, 2011
Another 'remember when' little story..remember when you had the rare opportunity to go to town and buy new shoes? Memorable? Yes for two reasons.  The shoes were new.  That was noteworthy,true and  they always hurt my feet.  I grew up with the thought that new shoes aways had to hurt one's feet.  You had to 'break them in" and part of that process was blisters on the heels...just part of the suffering for the blessing of new shoes I guess.  No matter how pretty they were, they were always hard, stiff and painful.  I can just "feel" the rubbing and the blisters.  It never seemed to occur to anyone to TAKE THOSE SHOES BACK TO THE STORE & get some that feel or fit better. 
Maybe that's why I so love wonderful kid glove soft fitting shoes on my feet today!
And perhaps that has something to do with my enjoying a spa pedicure so much it's gotta be sinful.. Okaayy..that can be my excuse for this extravagance! YES, that Will work.
Remember, the title is 'dream vs reality..
My high school years I sometimes refer to as A Cinderella Experience/Story! It's too long a story to share with people who know nothing of my childhood growing up years in south Georgia. I have to hit the high spots.  What became my wonderful reality could never have been a part of my dreams.  It's all about God's merciful provision in choosing people & placing them in my life -to serve His purpose.  This God thing and these special people have been a part of me..and will continue to be as long as I live.  As a very young child they made it possible for me to be in church and Sunday School regularly.  As a teenager those chosen ones were almost like guardian angels and 20th century fairy Godmothers.  Literary license taken here?  No, not much!

Bubbling Over~

No, No, I did not put bubble bath in the tub and leave it to run over.  The Bubbling Over is my heart. Actually it's a vanity thing.. one of the PHS Class of '59 emailed such a sweet note -I am so thrilled to know that it may be someone from my South Georgia past showing up when my blog tracker reads "Jacksonville" stopped by.

Thanks "Joan Crawford" you just made my day!  Only one other event today  competes with your note. [  the generous RAIN we have gotten yesterday and today thanks to TS Lee.]

True, I don't write or maintain my blogs to gather a  following-but there's something so surprising  and unexplainable about what an ego trip I experience when I'm able to share what I do with that elite group of people with whom I shared so much of these memorable sights, sounds and events.  They were all there.  They know what I am talking about.  And they know why a little insignificant  Georgia Girl is so thrilled with this life God has blessed us with~

looking back is sweet-it keeps my heart tender and that is something for which I have prayed for many years-that God would keep my heart tender & thankful.  He has-He does. 

Post Script:  I love you Lord & I lift my voice to worship you....O my soul, Rejoice...... [you  know the praise chorus.]

 

Connections~

Saturday morning~I do love being awake before anyone appears to be stirring on our street. When the air is a wee bit cooler I enjoy sitting back and whispering prayers for the neighbors. Some have obvious known needs and a few I have no idea what's going on in their lives. They still need prayer to cover their day, their relationships, choices. I don't have to know anything-God is ever present-He Knows
I finish my first cup of coffee and just try to soak in the quiet, the amazing birds flitting about, the freshness of a new day and the best place to turn in my Bible at this time of day is the Psalms.
It's impossible to observe my surroundings without spotting work that needs to be done~weeds to be pulled, dry pots of asparagus ferns to be watered, plants that are needing to be trimmed back -some even need to find another home [not in my yard].

Have you ever noticed a healthy thriving plant or bush and you have no memory of planting that-it's very green, year round and growing like a weed? Neither of us claims planting it..weird! [ moving day for that bush].
This is a great time to think about loved ones, near & some far, way too far-wondering what they are doing and longing for them to be sitting here in this beautiful spot enjoying it with me.

Ahhhhhhhh, Creation & The Creator~How can anyone NOT MAKE THE CONNECTION!!
I love you Lord..thank you for loving me/us.

Advice From Another Blogger [ not me ]

The advice comes from a very successful blogger with years o experience, tons of talent and surely as much energy. That would be Ree Drummond who shares so much of herself on http://thepioneerwoman.com/ .
Her advice to bloggers [ that's me & you ] is no matter if you are posting something pages in length or just sharing a photo you should post regularly, often.

Sooooooooo here goes. I dont think there is anything creative or inspiring or entertaining left in me at the end of this hot summer day in south Alabama -so todays post will be just this, to share  The Pioneer Woman's blog site with you..now dash on over there. There is more to read, copy, mull over and make use of than you can handle in ...who knows, quite a while.  You just have to stop by her ranch regularly. You'll be in good company and I might add a large gathering of visitors.

Laundry Day~Don't You Love it?

Yes, I do love laundry day at the Harrison House. You didn't know anyone has a specific day [ & only one] to do the family laundry? Well we do.  It's one of the changes we  made about five years ago when we both became  officially retired. 

For so many years any day could be laundry day..and most days did find at least one small load being done. 

There is something comfortable about knowing when we wake up on Thursday [ that's our day] we know exactly what is about to happen.  Since I am most often the last to get out  bed I begin removing the sheets and pillow cases. Next the laundry basket comes out of the hamper in my bathroom and colors & whites are grouped & dropped into a basket outside my bathroom door.  That way "the help" can't miss it or forget  that  today is laundry day. 

If you are not yet at that 'loving laundry day' place in life then I must remind you that the HELP is my laundry service or to be more specific [& truthful] the HELP and laundry service are one and the same: My husband. That's his choice.

Now you understand why I celebrate this special day.  There is nothing quite like seeing those clothes come in the door on hangers or in neat little perfectly organized stacks.  I cannot wait to rush and take those beautiful stacks of white sheets and towels [ just being thoughtful] from him  and begin to put them in place.  That way everything is in perfect order..just the way his wife wants it.  You realize 'trust' just goes so far ladies.  The right way to store and stack is MY WAY...period.

What's Better ?

What's Better Than Having a Wonderful Pear Tree Loaded With  Fruit ready to pick?  ANSWER: Having a neighbor who has that tree in her yard and she never uses them.

Thanks my dear friend!  These are just begging to be used for those crescent roll turnovers that have mountain dew soda as the last ingredient. Yes, it works with Granny Smith Apples too.  YUMMO! [Quoting Rachel Ray, of course]

Do you NOT HAVE that recipe? Just go to  Ree Drummond's   http://pioneerwoman.com/  website and search using some of these key words: apple dumplings, crescent roll, mountain dew.  Apples or Pears it spells delicious!

 If you don't find it just ASK ME. It's super Easy! She not only shares the recipe but she does it step by step WITH PICTURES.


Country Scene-Summer Harvest

I Could Not Leave the Larger Ones-Afraid They
Might Not Hold On Until Tomorrow_

These Six Pears Are Enough to Make 3-4
of the Crescent Roll Fruit Turnover Recipe

In Brundidge~The Kids Have to Play!

[more pics when I figure out where they are]

A New Day -New Lessons

I always want to fix everything~I CANNOT fix everything.  A difficult lesson to learn. [mmm re-learn?]

Note to Self [ again ]

"Self, even when LIFE IS GOOD-

There are dissapointments. 

 Amen, Thank You & Praise the Lord

 For A NEW DAY to TRY to "get it right."

*postscript: Also known as GOD'S GRACE

Time and What it Means

Time has a totally different meaning to us at various stages of life. As a teenager and then as a young bride and mother of little ones time was a very practical thing.

I knew ahead of me there was what we called "A Lifetime."  Then I longed for a little TIME for myself.  The luxury of time for browsing the local shops alone  was indeed a luxury.  I did have that occassionally because of the thoughtful husband who was staying put at home with the babies.  I appreciated that time.  For several years I longed for the TIME when these 3 little boys  would be able to feed, bathe and dress themselves.  I think I dreamed of  TIME when we [ my husband and I] would be able to get away somewhere special to enjoy doing unnecessary things without the usual [if mundane] and normal demands of a very young growing family.  This didn't happen often so we soaked it all in when we did have such a carefree event.  Money was always an issue and then along with that [even if we could come up with the money] there was ALWAYS the issue of someone available, willing and responsible  to care for [3] preschool age boys & later 4 as we were blessed with a precious daughter.   I always felt I was being scrutinized [critically] as a mother-then one day it "came to me" that with 3 stair step boys -13 months and 18 months apart it was reasonable to expect that things around us would be three times as loud, three times as difficult, and three times as often! And I learned to accept the fact that "if my three boys had not done it [whatever] they would." That way you aren't quite as surprised by the things three healthy, active, creative & very normal  boys come up with on any given day!

Back to the subject of TIME:  I easily recall the years when my mother-in law was in her 70's and the times we would visit her.  When It came time for the last hug, and last minute goodbye post scripts I could see how very sad and a little emotional she became...as the years passed [she lived to be 94] she couldn't hide the emotion.  Even back then when she was in the 8th decade of life I realized that the reason she was so noticeably sad when we were leaving was that in her mind she was thinking " This could be the last time we see each other on earth."

NOW I know and understand exactly how she felt. The parting at those times did not affect us quite so much..after all we had each other and our own homes and our own very full lives and interests to return to at the end of the trip. We went along our merry way and returned to the places, things and people that filled our lives.  Life was good and we had to get on with it.   I wonder how often we thought about what Nanny was doing or thinking a few hours after we were gone.  Did it ever occur to us that she might be reliving each hour or day we had just spent with her. I wonder.  Maybe...maybe not.

I suppose it all goes right back to that part of the human condition we all are cursed with....SELF will always be a major part of our being..SELF meaning self involvement and self importance   and self sufficiency.  Is it any comfort knowing that everyone else has that same negative to deal with throughout life? No, not really.

But we cannot go back ..the choices we made are what they are-that was then and this..the now is what we have left. As we have often been told and even said to others "We just have to be thankful for what we have."  I am!! But being the controlling person I am  don't you know I am going to always be trying to change things.?!!

 [Laugh with me-that's meant to be a funny..with a sprinkle of truth, of course]

*Post Script: If this is a little more introspective than you the reader can handle I apologize..lol I will try to post on a more light hearted subject next time.:^)

Wedding Bells~

Those Wedding Bells
~are getting closer.  It appears the "revised plan" means we will be having a FALL WEDDING-Spring would have been just fine but all the projects and plans have so fallen into place there is just no point in waiting until February 2012. [Heavens No!]


Steve and Carol met on a blind date one year ago May 2010.

And yes, of course we are excited and happy anticipating this big day.  Steve is our oldest son and is 51 years old- never married.

It's a Happy Time!

 

 

 

Thoughtful Thoughts~

Francis Chan relates the story  [ http://www.crazylovebook.com/  ] of a man -first name Stan- who while giving the Eulogy at a memorial service closed his remarks by saying:  " You never know when God is going to take your life. At that moment there is nothing you can do about it. Are you ready?"
He then sat down, fell over and died. Efforts  to resuscitate him failed.
So many of us as Christians are disappointed with ourselves because we know  that we have not shared Jesus Christ as we should. I have not.
We CAN make use of our blogs and facebook pages . Let's share it- Are you ready? Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior..I'm not asking if you know OF GOD, OF JESUS, OF CHRISTIANITY..but do you have a RELATIONSHIP with Him?
I am not asking if you are a member or attendee of some church. I am not asking if you have walked down a church isle, said a prayer and been baptized.  That does not save you.  And we cannot count on getting a 3 MINUTE WARNING to allow time to turn to HIm immediately before slipping into Eternity.
The only time you have to make this choice is TODAY! We are not assured of Tomorrow  .

Here I Go Pondering Again~

~I actually thought I was simply REPURPOSING..didn't realize it had a GRANDMA look & feel~

~just thinking about the name of this blog [ "like Gramma's House" ] and how often I hear that phrase on the Home & Garden Television programs.  People  searching for a home to buy  so often   comment as they tour the property: "This reminds me of Grandma's house."

I often use the same phrase in conversation-that's how I came up with the blog title.  I know what the phrase "like gramma's house" means to me but what are house hunters on HGTV  suggesting when they make this observation.  It usually feels very negative.

So tell me what do you mean when you describe a room or a home as 'Like Gramma's House.?"

Ladies & Gentlemen?

What does the title "lady/ladies" or "Gentleman/Gentlemen" mean anymore?  As I ponder in less than amused fashion I can only tell you what it means at my house.
Here goes~

At our house I stand alongside my husband [ of almost 52 years now] in more ways than a few.  In the shop as he works on his building projects I stand right there ..to critique & supervise.  I can always spot the paint drip or the rough edge he missed with the sander.  I seldom miss the ugly dab of carpenter's glue that should not be showing and of course I am going to take note of the finished project that still needs another coat of paint.

And who says Mom has no sense of humor..enough of that and on to the intended slant of this post.

Other real ways in which I stand alongside or behind in a supportive role include working in the flower beds, washing down the house and other outdoor walls when they need a fresh look, repainting outdoor furniture, lifting, loading and fetching whatever needs to be as we dig into those seasonal hot and yes sweaty, dirty jobs that are a part of life and the joys of home ownership.  At the end of one of those days when all the batteries [ours] have run down and the bodies have soaked in more grunge than anyone can abide, we call it quits, shut down the storage and shop areas and retreat to shade, comfort and indoor modern 'thank you Lord" A/C. 

Here's the first illustration.  As we two sorry sights [not to mention smelly?] move indoors headed for the showers..My silver fox OPENS THE DOOR, STANDS ASIDE AS HE ALLOWS ME TO 'GO FIRST'...Now that's a Gentlemen. There is no audience he just does it because he is...a gentlemen.  And guess what~ I allow him to be a gentlemen as he shows deference to a lady.  [that would be ME, his wife ] I am a strong, independent female but I am not a dumb one.

My observations of our world close by reveal to me that men often are no longer gentlemen because there is no Lady allowing them to behave in a gentlemanly manner.

Girls, for heaven's sake let the men treat you like someone special.  Are you not? Then when you get into place at the office where you have responsibility and perhaps some authority..do your job.  Allowing men to treat you politely does not have to weaken or dimish your strengths.  It's no wonder so many men are pitiful specimens of what God intended  them to be.  Women {the 'women's movement,etc] have told them they are not necessary, not wanted or needed.  It didn't take too long for them to "get the message" and learn quite well  this role of "being a man",  without respect for self, for women or any clear understanding of what responsibility really means in the context of 'the family."    It is now quite common to find that a man often thinks his responsibilities are done with when he has a job and brings home a paycheck..how sad!

How thankful..how very thankful I am the  children in this family never saw that kind of example at our house.

Have I told you my illustration of the BIG UMBRELLA?  One Sunday morning in Texas it was raining cats and dogs when church was over and as we left the worship service Ted pulled out the BIG UMBRELLA..and with both of us protected from the drenching rain he walked us to the car securely closing the door  as I slipped into my seat untouched by the downpour.

[I will post an "umbrella" pic soon]

At that moment as I was about to get into the car I thought: "What a perfect picture of a Godly man and his role regarding a wife and children." I have never forgotten that beautiful simple picture.  Thank You Lord!