the colors of my life

Choosing colors to paint a house

is not an easy job.

Knowing 

that I would have to live with my choices for a long time

made me a little unsettled.

 In reality it all came down to me and Mike (the builder)

standing in the foyer 

looking at some color swatches he had painted on the wall....

and even then,

you never know how it will turn out.

This morning it all came together for me.

I am unpacking the last of the boxes downstairs

and our home is starting to take shape.

This is how I see it.....

most all of the walls are painted Sea Salt,

the color of the ocean.

The dining room

 is painted the color of the sand at the beach.

Our bedroom is painted gray...

the color of storm clouds and hurricanes,

all the things I love about 

living on the coast.

The floors are the beach...

golden in the sunlight with lots of 

shells and waves and crevices,

 inviting you to walk around barefooted.

I am overwhelmed 

with the goodness of the Lord

 in His provision of this home for us.  

We love it so much 

and will do our best to use it for His glory.

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord,

the whole earth is full of His glory."

Isaiah 6:3

lu's acrostic

Lucy made this acrostic for me a little while ago.

I found it tucked away when we moved.

G

R

A

M

It is taped right here by my computer.

Love to see a little glimpse into how she sees me.

the end

I finished "Les Miserables" this morning,

two whole days ahead of schedule.

My projected end date was August 31st.

Up in the guest bedroom,

sitting in a chair drenched in sunlight,

while a man worked on the cabinets in my kitchen,

I decided to get to the end.

I knew it would be emotional and I didn't want

to cry in bed tonight,

so I chose a quiet moment to

say farewell to,

 Jean Valjean,

Cossette, 

Marius,

Fantine,

and all the others 

who have brought me so much joy this summer.

There will never be another book like this one.

I feel cheated,

sad,

that I have to say goodbye to these friends.

David has told me 

that the Broadway show 

will be in Raleigh, North Carolina,

 about the time of my birthday in February.

They have promised to take me.

I will be waiting with "baited breath" for that day.

One last quote....

It is profound..........

"Dying is nothing, what is terrible is not to live."

My sentiments exactly!

living in a glass house.....

....with sheets for curtains.

As usual,

when one moves into a brand new house,

there are no window coverings.

Being the modest girl

that I am,

I insisted that the bedroom & bath windows be covered.

Bubba obliged me,

even though he  really didn't see the need.

Not wanting to take them down every morning,

I decided to make them pretty

with bows.

Now there you go...

making something beautiful out of

nothing at all.

(Its my Hodie in me)

White Quilt

If you look closely you can see it on the bed.

This quilt is new,

I love it.

I put it on Saturday morning.

On Saturday afternoon

Lucy, Harry, and Gus came over to see what we had gotten done.

Of course, they all wanted to try out the new bed.

They left two little dirty footprints

on the white quilt.

It washes you know.

And...

I would rather have two little dirty footprints on my new white quilt

than all the money in the world.

A home is to be lived in

 and provide comfort

 and joy

 and love,

not museum artifacts.

The sun shines in the window

 over my shoulder as I write just now.

I love my new writing spot.

It is already getting dark

so much earlier.

Summer is drifting away.

Thankfully,

it is always summer in my heart.

a beautiful wonderful day

Best Sunday!

To be able to rest and relax again,

what a treasure.

The word of God was proclaimed

amazingly this morning.

My heart was blessed by the preaching of the first 14 verses

of the book of Ephesians.

An afternoon of rest

and then to the beach with those three goofballs

 in the picture above.

Didn't even think about unpacking today.

Bubba and I are both refreshed and

ready to start another week of hard work getting settled

in our new home.

Just one thing to say....

about glass shower doors.

I waited until four o'clock yesterday

to take my shower

because I didn't want to mess them up,

to get the whole soap scum, water spot thing going.

Please,

if anyone knows how to keep them squeaky clean and shiny,

let me know.

first blog.....

.......from our new home.

I slept a little later this morning.

When I arose I saw this most wonderful sight.....

the sun was coming up

shining through the window

onto the chandelier

which in turn made prism light all over the wall.

It just sort of took my breath away.

Everything here is good.

Lots of unopened boxes all around,

but I have already made it our home.

We were just sitting on the back porch

talking to David and Erika 

while the kids were running races around the house.

To me,

the greatest thing in life is

 the love of family

and a home in which to make it all happen.

We have been blessed once more.

 I am constantly amazed at our God

whose goodness and tender mercies

never fail,

day after day,

month after month,

 year after year.

"Every good gift 

and every perfect gift is from above,

 and comes down from the

 Father of lights

 in whom there is no shadow of turning."

James 1: 17

Oh and, 

these are the first roses in my new home.

the newly upholstered furniture.....

....arrived this morning.

I love it!

top photo...

my Hodie's old chair updated

with a lime green beach print.

Next, 

my mom's wing back chairs

with a totally different look.

My sofa,

and lastly my favorite chair and ottomon

done in off white.

Am I crazy?

Maybe.

The move is going well.

Move in day is 

Friday.

Very thankful for the help we are getting from

Bubba's brother Robbie.

Amazing help he is!!!!

me and my mom...

shopping at Phipps Plaza

in Atlanta.

This is how I like to remember her,

young and vibrant,

laughing,

and just well, beautiful to me.

How quickly life passes.

How soon those we love are gone from us.

To you

Shirley O'Quinn....

for your home-made cakes

your fudge

your laughter

your funny ways

your love of my babies and everything about them

the lunches

the trips out west

all the times at Hilton Head and Disney World

your pretty clothes

your myriad of friends

your funny sayings and jokes

your delicious home-cooked meals

for all of you...

I miss you so much every day!

It was a wild funny ride,

the time God granted us together.

I wouldn't take anything for it!!!

*August was her birthday month!

sunday is a....

Yes, tomorrow will be a rest day.

What a week of work!

Sunday is still a day of rest for us....

although most of the world doesn't see it like that.

I am looking forward

 to not even thinking about packing and moving stuff tomorrow.

There are some missionaries from China enjoying our condo this weekend.

What a joy that blessing is when we get to share it with others.

Anyway,

the man will be preaching tomorrow,

sharing about the work that they are doing in China.

We will enjoy lunch with them after

church.

How I look forward to Sunday...

joining together with other believers to hear the word proclaimed,

singing songs to the acoustic guitar,

fellowshipping...

finding out how everyones week went.

God's design for the week is perfect....

work hard for six days

and then rest on Sunday.

Of course,

blessings come abundantly when you do it His way.

Hope to see you at church tomorrow!

cathy

some words....

....are just too beautiful never to be read again.

"It had rained the night before and even a little that morning,

 but in June downpours are of no account.  

You hardly notice, 

an hour after a storm,

 that the beautiful bright day earlier had shed tears.  

In summer the ground dries 

as fast as a child's cheek.

Nothing is as wonderful as green foliage washed by the rain and dried by the sun; 

 it is like freshness served hot.  

Gardens and meadows, 

with water in their roots and sunshine in their flowers,

 turn into incense burners and smolder away; 

releasing all their perfume at once.  

Everything laughs and sings and offers itself.  

You feel sweetly drunk. 

 Spring is a taste of paradise; 

the sun helps human beings to bide their time."

from..."Les Miserables."

Victor Hugo.

His descriptions are masterpieces.

Oh me Oh my....

what can I read now that will ever measure up to this?

first day of school....

....for Jake and Eli.

I am so excited for them.

I have seen their school and I love it....

reminds me of when I taught school.

They are wearing their new uniforms

and looking very smart!

May God bless them both and 

keep them safe in His arms

for this school year.

sunbeams

I love what the sun is doing in this picture!

Packing right now,

packing and packing.

A friend just called and said I should be an 

"old pro" by now.

One thing I have learned...

It never gets any easier or any more fun.

Music helps some,

but mostly it is a mundane task.

Our move in date is Thursday week.

They are still finishing in the house....

touch up paint, lighting, and such.

Bubba

 has some help coming tomorrow

 to move the 

boxes and things.

Tonight is a good night...

peaceful & quiet here in this place.

Having much to be thankful for keeps my mind occupied

with thoughts of how gracious 

Jesus is to provide everything we need

from his vast storehouse in 

heaven.

I praise Him from whom all blessings flow!

first baptism~

Cornerstone Church of Savannah.

Late this afternoon

two young souls were baptized in the 

Back River,

Tybee Island, Georgia.

With the sun shining brightly

and a gentle breeze keeping us cool,

we watched David,

in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

dip under the water

these two young men who have committed their lives to the 

Lord Jesus Christ.

What a glorious time...

hearing the testimonies and bearing witness

to this sacrament

that is so dear to believers everywhere,

This one will not soon be forgotten!

always read good books

Found this picture of my girl

and just thought I would

share.

Priscilla of Tyrone

was a very good cat indeed!

In my early read this morning

I found this verse....

"Nevertheless

I am continually with You,

You hold me by my right hand.

You will guide me with your counsel,

and afterward receive me to glory.

Psalm 73:23&24

This Psalm is a contrast of the

 wicked and the righteous.

It is a good one to read 

when you look around and think 

that the world is prospering and you are not....

when you doubt God's goodness 

and care for you.

Nevertheless....

a word that starts a turnaround.

"Nevertheless,

 I am continually with You."

The righteous one is always with God.

God never leaves or forsakes His own.

And, He is not only always with us,

but 

"He holds me by my right hand."

It is a sign of intimacy and closeness when

you hold a person's hand.

The God of the universe holds your hand.

So comforting.

"God guides us with His counsel."

What is that?

God gave us His word to read and study.

He tells us everything we need to know from life until death

right there in the Bible.

And afterward,

"He receives me to glory."

How marvelous is that?

After holding our hand and guiding us through this life with His counsel,

when that is over,

He ushers us into glory (heaven)

to live eternally.

What a verse!

It has thrilled me all day while packing our stuff to move!

God is in control of everything,

He never ever makes mistakes.

I know a little girl who needs to hear this tonight

and rejoice!

just a few of my favorite things

My chandelier.

I love it!

My sink installed.

I love it too!

My fireplace.

I can't believe I will have one this winter.

Waited a long time.

Still resting up.

Won't move in for a while.

Just got back from Hilton Head

Had to go celebrate.

Until later,

cathy

It's ours....

......we closed today.

Can't wait to move in!

Bubba and I became homeowners again

this afternoon.

What an absolute joy to watch this

house become a home.

We will take our time moving in.....

It will probably be about two weeks before

we actually spend the first night.

We are both tired from helping the

Hollingsworths

get settled in their new home,

and need a few days to rest.

I'll share a few pictures in a little while.

Thankful to God for leading and guiding us in this endeavor,

for having wonderful people to work with,

for making my dreams come true.

We are giddy with excitement and plans.

To God be the glory,

great things He has done!

getting there

Home again.

What a long short trip we had.

This is how it went down....

The boys and I left here early Sunday morning in

Estelle's van.

The "check engine now" light had come on

and Bubba was afraid to let me drive

so far with the possibility of a

roadside dilemma.

A special thanks to Estelle for offering up her luxury wheels.

All went well aside from these few things...

Eli asked me to explain to him

 how electricity is made and conducted,

I turned my lunch plate of barbecue over into my lap,

and, I kid you not....

they must have asked a thousand times,

"Grammy, are we there yet?"

One time I pulled up into a rest area 

and told them that was their new home

 just to get a short reprieve.

Eli and I shared some strawberry twizzlers,

which did help pass the time.

We finally arrived

 and were greeted with a fabulous thunderstorm 

and the resident, live-in

 komoto dragon lizard 

whom Eli made fast friends.

As for me,

I held my breath and ran inside.

There were boxes and furniture everywhere

in no particular order.

We got busy immediately unpacking and setting up a new home.

I love this work...

could do it forever.

The above picture is the result....

Homey and beautiful.

I took that picture this morning right before we left.

Two things about staying young at heart....

always think more highly of other's needs than you do of your own,

and have a herd of grandchildren

to run after 24/7.

Blessed beyond belief...

cathy

we made it!

More a little later.

Busy unpacking boxes.

"he lives here too"

Amanda and Mark have arrived at their new home.

The movers are moving in their

"stuff"

even as I write.

An unexpected tropical storm named

Dorian

arrived when they did.

Never easy....

never ever just easy.

Anyway,

she just i-phoned me this picture with this caption.....

"he lives here too."

That was the guy I saw at the 

Einstein bagel shop

on our last trip.

The last one was bigger,

but I know he is the same breed...

notice that curled up tail.

Horrible.

I really, truly don't know what I am going to do.

I think they may be in the house too.

Paranoid ~ I know, but....

We leave in the morning on our journey

back to south Florida.

Bubba will be driving Marks car,

packed to the roof.

 I will be driving my van

packed with Jake & Eli,

all of their stuff,

all of Amanda's fine dishes,

our stuff,

snacks, 

music,

books,

justice league figures,

car seats,

juice cups,

and...

the "check engine light"

came on this afternoon.

None of that scares me like

the lizard with the curly tail.

We close on our house on Wednesday.

Prayers please!!!

leavings

The big U-Haul truck is packed to the rafters.

Amanda said that not another thimble full would fit on the truck

when the movers closed its doors

a little while ago.

Goodbye

to the red brick house in Lanexa

for Mark & Amanda,

Jake & Eli.

Sadly,

They had to leave their cats behind.

The boys don't know yet...

I anticipate tears.

Amanda will teach her final Zumba class in the morning

and then be on the road...

a little behind Mark in the big truck.

There will be a great reunion tomorrow evening

for this little family

before they move on to their new life in Florida.

It has been our joy to keep Jake and Eli.

The Lord has been so gracious to give us this special

time together....

to keep us all well and strong.

Blessings to this family

as they go forward to the place God has chosen for them.

Never let it be said 

that you can't pick up and move in three weeks flat!

We did it.

Working together it all got done.

To God be the glory,

great things He has done.