Friday, February 28, 2014

grandparents day

They did such a good job....
It was a reminiscent trip down memory lane.
Songs from the fifties and sixties from when we were growing up.
All of the kids sang with such gusto.
We were so honored and blessed to be a part.

Jake wrote the poem on the heart above.
I love it.
His favorite food is pepperoni pizza.
He loves us more than pepperoni pizza and that is a lot.

Watching these boys grow and thrive is such a blessing.
Wouldn't miss this for the world!

Thursday, February 27, 2014

happy birthday mark and eli

                                                            
We are in Palm Beach Gardens...
drove down this morning to the land of sunshine and warmth.
We came to celebrate some birthdays,
open some presents,
eat some birthday cake,
and just chill with some much loved family.

Tomorrow is Grandparents Day at Jake and Eli's school.
There will be
music from the fifties and sixties,
a poem written by Jake,
and lots of fun and fellowship.
Love to be able to be in the boy's classrooms
interacting with their friends and their teachers.

Blessings continue to flow unabated.
I am one thankful grammy.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

where the heart is



It
All
Comes 
Down
to
the
 Last 
Person
You
Think
of
at
Night.

That's where your heart is!

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

flowers from my Lu


She brought me flowers tonight.
She left them in the car,
but I got them just the same.
As they were leaving she handed them to me.
These are for you, gram.

I don't know how it is possible to love someone so much.

Thankful tonight for 
flowers,
and granddaughters.
Spring like days in February,
and broccoli~chicken casserole made by my husband.
For cupcakes and coffee,
for lunch with a friend,
for cards in the mail....my birthday continues.

More memories....
pig tails,
and ballet slippers.
Flouncy skirts,
and hugs and kisses.

Our Good God is on His throne tonight.
There are stars in the sky
and the promise of rain.
All of His grace gifts are ours to enjoy.
Thank You...Thank You!

"The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places."
Psalm 16:6


Monday, February 24, 2014

memories


Amanda's wedding day
was one of the happiest days of my life.
Not in the sense that,
Oh yay, Amanda is finally getting married,
but just the day was so much fun,
so filled with joy,
and people I love, 
and happiness,
and all of the good things
that normally are not all grouped together in one glorious day.

The event that was the wedding of
Amanda & Mark
was prepared for and looked forward to
for so long.
So much went into the preparations,
and then everyone came
and took part,
and rejoiced,
and partied,
and ate with us.

What joy!

I was thinking today...
everything we do in our lifetime
joins together
to make the memories 
that we carry with us forever.
When I am old and gray
I will remember the good times
 and be very thankful 
that God gave this particular life to me
 to enjoy and remember.

Praises to Him tonight for the memories!


Sunday, February 23, 2014

the top floor


The Condo...
best kept secret on Tybee Island,
a view to die for,
dolphins always playing in your front yard,
worth every penny,
things I love!

The Nursery Workers....
Beautiful hearts and hands,
ready to serve.
Ready to kiss a boo boo,
break up a fight,
teach about God and Jesus,
sing a few songs,
change a few diapers,
dry a few tears,
hand out the snacks
clean up the mess.
These ladies are the servants,
the ones who make it possible for the church to function.
Thank you...all of you.

Bubble Gum....
my favorite,
drives Bubba crazy,
Found some expensive, healthy bubble gum at Whole Foods.
Just blew the biggest bubble of my life.

Sunday Afternoon....
Love it...
don't feel guilty at all about taking a nap.
Quiet...
planning for the next week,
Riding out to eat a bit of supper with my best friend.

Ice Cream....
I think I will have some tonight,
my favorite,
Blue Bell Vanilla with chocolate shell and cherries.
Lucy loves this too.
A real treat!

The new sofa at the condo.
Its a sleeper.
The picture is crooked....
drives me crazy.

1000 years ~  Christina Perri


Friday, February 21, 2014

well protected


I had to lay on the ground to get this shot.
Getting down wasn't hard at all...
getting up required a little more effort.

Our time with these two boys has been delightful.
Bubba and I have so much fun with them.

Jake left these super heros for Harry and Gus to enjoy.
They have been a great hit.
Harry gets Batman, Green Lantern, and the Flash.
Gus gets Superman and Wonder Woman.
Gus calls Superman Buperman....
he has trouble still with his s sounds.
It always makes me laugh.

Harry is debonair,
very sweet,
glad to have a sidekick like Gus
who idolizes him and follows his every move.
In this scenario he is in charge,
the leader,
and he is loving every minute of his position.
It is not like this in his real life home situation.
He is learning to read,
and I just love to hear him.

Gus is...
how do I describe this boy?
I know...
Gus is passionate about everything.
Even his coloring is done heartily.
(He breaks a lot of crayons)
He loves life..
he loves his people,
his pillow,
his blanket,
his bed
as he just recounted to me.
He will go far!
Whether he runs,
throws a ball,
sings,
eats,
it is all down with a passion 
that I have never seen in a child so young.
This one should be watched...
he's going places.

Bedtime..now! I love it!


Wednesday, February 19, 2014

matching spiderman jammies


We've got Gus & Harry,
or maybe better said, they have us for the next 
three days and nights.

Please be in prayer for Erika & David as they
journey to
Greenville, South Carolina,
for Archie's evaluation at the Shriner's Hospital there.

Archie is doing so well adjusting to his new life here in Georgia.
He is learning the language quickly.
He is a happy, content little guy,
most always smiling and ready to please.

So thankful to be Grammy to these little guys.
Gus, has taken to calling me "Jeremy,"
kinda funny I think
I answer to anything at this point.

So glad for these warm days..
we'll be outside a lot.

"The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice,
and he who begets a
wise child
will delight in him."
Proverbs 23:24

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

bloodwork, 2 naps, three trips to the car shop


Life for this retired couple pictured above is never boring.
Each day is filled with more than enough
to keep us hoping from
morning until night.

This morning I had an appointment for 
routine yearly blood work....
something to really dread.
Why?
No coffee.
You just have to get up and drive and act normal,
when literally
 you are a basket case of no caffeine.
I will say this...
the breaking of the fast or
breakfast
never tastes so good and is more satisfying
after the drawing of blood is done.

I took two naps today....
never take two naps or even one for that matter.
The first was very short because of Bubba 
walking very loudly down the stairs
 talking to me 
at the top of his lungs.
Later,
after working hard in the attic,
I drifted off again.
It must have been the loss of blood.

Just back from the third trip to the car shop...
rear view mirrors,
oil changes,
new tires,
this and that.
From here to there is quite a hike.
Big budget buster too,
but we have to keep our old cars in tip-top shape.

Supper was at Waffle House....
two waffles (one for him, one for me) and an order of bacon.
Every now and then
 I have a craving.
Was not disappointed at all.

Monday, February 17, 2014

as he thinks so is he


Just back from the beach....
beautiful today, 
but still cold weather.
What happened to those spring-like February days we've had before?

Thinking about God tonight.
Thinking how He always knows what I need.
Realizing that He is very intimately involved in every aspect of my life.
He knows how many hairs are on my head.
He knows when I sit down and when I rise up.
He knows my words before I say them,
He knows my thoughts,
He knows my fears.
And miraculously,
He loves me anyway.

I know that my thoughts are not always pleasing to God,
and I'm working on that.
In fact, this time, I am REALLY working on my thoughts.

"For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he."
Proverbs 23:7

 I read the Bible and other books
explaining different aspects of the Christian life.
Some days I read a lot,
some days I don't read as much,
 and some days I don't read at all.
The amount I read is varying most of the time.

What always amazes me is.......
when I am in great need of knowing and learning a truth
illuminating my particular plight,
that truth is somewhere in my reading for that day.

How does God orchestrate that?
How does He keep my reading schedule ordered in such a way
that at my very moment of need...
He has the answer for me?

How?
He is God and He is able
to do more than I can even begin to comprehend.

Tonight I am thankful
that God is tracking right along with me
and knows
"everything I need for life and godliness"
in this barren world.



Sunday, February 16, 2014

my heart and mind...


....are filled once again with the songs
of this beautiful story.

"And still I dream he'll come to me,
that we will live the years together.
But there are dreams that cannot be,
and there are storms we cannot weather."
from...
I dreamed a dream

It was a picture-perfect end to my birthday week.
From the moment we left on Friday morning,
until we arrived home at 11:00 pm yesterday,
all was magical.

There was a big old luxurious theatre, 
with huge, magnificent chandeliers.
There was 
an orchestra playing beautiful music.
There were actors playing out the words it took me all summer to read.
Les Miserables 
was simply more than I could have ever hoped for.
I cannot say enough,
it all took my breath away.

I could not feel more loved.
My birthday week was one of the best ever.

I saw snow.......lots of snow,
and the snow moon too, 
and it was cold, really cold,
but that's okay,
my heart was warm.

The picture below is for comic relief only....

That's South of the Border on I-95
covered in snow.
*That's a good shot of me in the rear view mirror taking the picture.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

she....


.....made this for me.
Lucy, my sweet granddaughter,
sewed this pillow and case all by herself.
I love that she added lace.
This is a treasure that I will always hold dear.

They,
Jake and Eli,
called me on the phone and sang
Happy Birthday in complete harmony
adding the "cha, cha, cha's" just at the right moment.


Harry made this card for me.
He wrote everything perfect but
backward.
This will go in my keepsake box.

Lucy went to the store with her own money.
She looked around then spotted this...
a sea salt and sand scented candle,
because she knows how much I love the beach.
She spent her own money.

After ten years,
 I broke my much loved sunglasses.
Bubba gave me new ones,
because I know that one day soon
the sun is going to shine again.

Loved my birthday!




Wednesday, February 12, 2014

the very best birthday


66
Even though the temperature never got out of the thirties,
even though it rained most all day
and was bitingly cold,
even though my numbers are getting really up there,
I was warmed to the heart by my own special day.
Every phone call, 
card, 
e-mail, 
gift,
happy birthday song sung,
and facebook message
went right to the place that makes me smile.
I am so amazingly blessed.

Love, Love, Love 
all of you who made my day so special.

* Sadly, Gus is behind my beautiful Calla Lily plant.


Tuesday, February 11, 2014

it seems like a lot....


....of years that is.
Tomorrow is another birthday for me.
I will be sixty-six.
It's really getting serious now...
I'm heading on up there to the really big numbers.

This was my ninth birthday.
Lou, it must have been a skating party.
Just love the skate keys.
Look at me with that scarf around my neck....
i always had a sense of style.
Marion Waters was a lucky boy....
just him and all of us girls.

My moma loved to throw a party and make a cake.
Guess that's why I love to do the same.

God has blessed my years.
He has given me far more than I deserve,
more than I could have ever hoped for.

To know Him is my richest blessing.
To have lived my life without knowing and loving God
would have been such a waste.
He provided His Son Jesus Christ to be my Savior,
my hope for the future.
He has cleansed me and made me His,
for now and for eternity.

I don't fear growing older...
It is His plan
and I am closer to seeing Him face to face.

He is still teaching me 
the things I need to know to be wise.
He has given me a knowledge of and love for His word
that will see me through until my last day on earth.

Always thankful,
always learning,
sometimes fearful,
sometimes perplexed, sad, discouraged,
always with joy in my heart for the things He has done,
never without hope...
that's me,
cathy


.







Sunday, February 9, 2014

the ferry boat


At the end of nowhere.....
if you don't go across, you go back.

We ate first at Safe Harbour on our trek back to Georgia,
lingering over fresh fried fish, shrimp and oysters,
savoring big round hushpuppies and sweet tea,
watching the ships pass 
and the fishing boats idle at their posts
and the sea birds hide from the rainy, cold weather.

When that feast was over we debated...
"shall we go back or cross over?"
We chose the later.

It is real homey, the wait.
We had just missed the ferry,
so we were first in line for the next crossing.
We were entertained by the old lady keeping order
with her tales of the parts round about.
Yes, the St. Johns River in Florida is mighty 
and has many stories to tell.

Our van was first on when our time came.
We had the best slot on the ferry.
We exit the car,
me to take pictures,
him to find some tourists to talk to.
All are mesmerized 
by the comings and goings of this large carrier.

Today,
because of the rain and the cold,
I found the sea birds huddled
on the pilings,trying to get comfort.

"A funny bird is a pelican...
his beak can hold more than his bellycan."

After crossing, 
just a few miles down the road,
we are rewarded with a most stunning glimpse of the ocean.
It always take my breath away.
There are breakers for miles!

Bubba drove down for me to get one last picture.
Still raining, still cold,
but the beauty shines through
making everything even more amazing.



I do believe there is salt water in my blood.
.


Saturday, February 8, 2014

rainy days.....and days


Hi there....
we've been on one of our little getaways.....
 had the distinct pleasure of being with Jake and Amanda at Epcot
for his second grade field trip.
That's Jake with his teacher, Mrs. Fleming,
 and three of his classmates.

We left very early on Thursday morning,
and arrived in Orlando just about lunchtime.
This is no exaggeration....
It was raining when we got there,
it never stopped raining while we were there,
and it was raining when we departed.

It was a soggy, cold experience,
but filled with hugs and smiles and a wonderful little boy
who made the whole experience fantastic.
I also fell in love with the caramel shop in the German pavillion,
but that is another heavenly story.

Amanda came dressed for south Florida,
in a full on short, sleeveless dress, and flip flops.
She was wearing my clothes and shoes and her dad's coat the whole day.
We had been told by the weather report
 that it would be 81 on Friday....
It never got our of the fifties.

Bubba and I made our way to Jacksonville last night
for a day of shopping 
and eating fresh seafood 
and riding the ferry over the St. John's River.
It was still raining this morning, 
and never stopped until we were almost back to Savannah.

All that to say,
I had a wonderful, if be it wet,
start to my birthday week.
there is more next weekend....I just hope it doesn't rain.


Wednesday, February 5, 2014

everlasting love


"This is the blessed knowledge that every Christian must have,
a knowledge of God ~
not God as some great power,
not as some great force,
not someone who is opposed to us and hates us,
imposing these commandments on us ~
But God as Father,
God who has loved us with an everlasting love,
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the God who so loves us that He counts the very hairs of our head,
the God who causes the sun to rise upon the world,
this amazing Father God.

His commandments are all destined for our good,
to be a blessing to us,
and because He wants us to be conformed to the image
of His own dear Son."

Martyn Lloyd Jones
Life in Christ

Reading about God tonight before I go to bed.


Tuesday, February 4, 2014

passings :(


We've watched them for months....
two eagles appropriately named
Ozzie and Harriet,
high up in a pine tree somewhere in
Southwest Florida.

There is a camera mounted incognito 
which records all of their comings and goings.
We have been fascinated and greatly entertained
by these two as they prepared for,
hatched,
and then cared for two baby eaglets.

Today, sadly,
we tuned in and and discovered 
that one of the as yet unnamed baby eaglets had died.

Eagles are majestic...
such beautiful, hardworking birds of the sky.
The baby eaglet's death was in no way caused by neglect.
The sole purpose of Ozzie and Harriet 
was to prepare for and take care of their young.

Many times we saw a whole fish lying in the nest.
While they were tiny,
one or the other of the parents were always covering their young,
protecting them and keeping them warm.

Hopefully the one remaining eaglet will survive and thrive,
{we'll be watching}
soon to leave the nest and grow to be 
a wondrous eagle with a family of his own.

"Look at the birds of the air,
for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns,
yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not of more value than they?"
Matthew 6:26

*Southwest  Florida Eagle Cam





Monday, February 3, 2014

that boy ~ girl thing


I've been saving this picture
for the "love" month ~ February.

So, read it and weep....
boys and girls, men and women,
do not see it the same way.
Never have ~ never will.

Lucy and Jake have always been best buds.
There is a very special cousin bond between them
But,
Lucy is all "touchy feely,"
and Jake is a hands off boy.

The picture says it all.
Lucy is relaxed and happy....
giving Jake a hug,
relishing in it.
Lucy is "leaning" in.

Jake, on the other hand,
is tolerating.
He is tense and on guard.
"I'm really not very comfortable with this at all."
"I like you a lot Lucy,
I've got my arm around your neck,
but this needs to end soon so that I can get back to playing."
Jake is "leaning" out.

No matter how hard "the world" wants to
break down the barriers between the sexes,
it will never happen.
We are what we are and we fit together perfectly.
God made us that way.

The most wonderful relationship this side of heaven
 is that between a man and a woman 
who flourish
 in each others differences.




Saturday, February 1, 2014

welcome february....


...with all your promises of spring!

This is my front door wreath.
It is made of shaved wood rolled up to look like roses.
It says welcome and I love you to all who enter.

I am one of few women who actually love to clean their house.
Today I really got into it big time.
Bubba bought these four little nifty felt things
that when placed under
furniture,
cause it to be able to be moved quite easily.
Well, before I knew it,
I had completely emptied the fireplace room of everything.
Bubba came in and was astonished.
 and a little dismayed.
He thinks I shouldn't be doing these things by myself.

Anyway,
that room is clean as a whistle from top to bottom,
and,
I did another room too.
I am winding down now, but it has been a very productive day.

God established work for a reason.
It keeps us strong in body and mind,
and gives such a sense of accomplishment.
Nothing better than to look at and smell a clean home.

"Now to the King eternal, invisible,
to God who alone is wise,
be honor and glory forever and ever.....Amen!"
Timothy 1:17