wedding rings

Great trip....

loved every minute!

From Disney to Palm Beach it was all perfect!

Thank you Lord for ALL these blessings,

and one more really big one....

This morning we left the Hollingsworth home early.....

by 7:30 am we were on the road.

Had a lovely drive up north 95,

landing in Jacksonville just in time for lunch.

I drove a good bit,

many times admiring my wedding rings.

I do that a lot.

We had lunch and I made my way to one shop

to exchange a birthday gift

I had bought for Gus.

I then met Bubba at Barnes & Noble.

As we were looking at a book,

I looked down and my rings, both of them, were 

GONE!

Panic set in and then I remembered a quote

I had read earlier on Facebook by

Corrie Ten Boom....

"I have held many things in my hands,

and I have lost them all;

but whatever I have placed in God's hands,

that I will still possess."

God had given me that quote to prepare me,

and remind me,

that whatever is of this earth is temporal,

but whatever is stored away in heaven is eternal.

I was comforted.

Back in the van,

I found the wedding rings.

Somehow 

they had fallen off my finger

 while I was digging in my purse for my wallet.

Lots of thankgiving went up today.

This scenario 

could have turned out much differently.

I will have the rings sized down this week for sure.

lunch with jake and eli

 

I was at school today with Jake and Eli.

We had lunch together

in the cafeteria

and then was in Eli's classroom helping the class

make their "snazzy snacks."

 

 

Love  being a part of their day at school.

 

 

"Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget none of His benefits."

Psalm 103:2

at the marina

 

There are ominous clouds hanging over us tonight.

Just took a walk at the marina to see

Tiger Wood's yacht.

It is named

Privacy.

 

Needless to say, we are having a great time here at

the Hollingsworth home.

 

Below is a picture of

Agent MicStitch...

aka Eli.

 

 

I really, really love this boy!!

 

 

 

 

here in jupiter

 

Bubba and I left

Disney World way before dawn this morning.

We had to get to Jupiter

to see Jake and Eli get their awards.

They were both chosen by their teachers to receive the

humility award.....

"A heart attitude of thinking of others better than you do of yourself."

Needless to say,

we are so very proud of them.

 

*Just short snippets while we are away.

Just love being here!

 

a very special day

 

I was honored to spend this day

with three very special men in my life.

Bubba,

David,

& Harry

were my escorts

at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

Days like today don't happen very often,

and I will carry these memories in my heart forever.

 

Thank you Lord for this good Day!

 

 

cabana

 

For this girl....

who loves to hang out around water,

this cabana is the ultimate in

unabashed luxury.

 

We are somewhere in Florida....

not yet at the Hollingsworth homestead.

I found this in my wanderings this morning

and took this pic with my phone.

 

Just imagine.....

two beds, covered with fresh white linens,

an ivory tent with sides that close,

outside chairs for sunning,

a fan, a TV, a ipod dock,

all the towels you can possibly use,

a stocked fridge,

fresh fruit and cheese,

 an attendant to meet your every need,

all for the low price of $199.00 a day.

 

I love it!

Sadly, Bubba said no....

not this time.

 

That's okay, I'll wait!

Maybe one day.

 

Happy First Day of Fall, Ya'll!!!

 

 

 

.

 

sovereignty of God....

"Our God is in the heavens;

He does whatever He pleases."

Psalm 115:3

the joy of the ocean

I just had to use Amanda's picture on my post tonight.

This is the joy of living in south Florida....

very close to the beach.

You can go to school,

get home to do homework,

and then head off to jump in the ocean.

I love this picture of Jake.....

it makes me happy!

Hopefully we will be spending time

 with these people next week.

my wish

I will tell you what my wish is

at the end.

Monday was a happy day!

I love birthdays, and Harry's seventh 

called for a party.

I decorated, and wrapped gifts,

set the table and cleaned the bathrooms.

Bubba did the cooking...

I love that!

Once the party got going...

I didn't feel so well.

Pain was building in the lower

recesses of my body.

Afterward,

I helped clean up, and told Bubba

I was going to lie down.

I will just say this...

I have never been in so much pain in my life.

By early morning,

I was begging for help.

That stone had cut loose through my body!

At the doctor's office early on Tuesday morning,

they took another x-ray.

The stone was no longer visible.

"It has probably done its thing,"

said the nurse.

Then she said the magic words....

"Do you want a shot?"

"Yes, more than anything in the world."

So, I came home and slept all afternoon and night.

The "shot" is "magic" by the way.

Today I feel better again,

but THE STONE is still with me.

My wish upon a starfish is this....

We leave on Saturday for our trip to Florida.

There are two little boys

 I am eager to see.

Please, little tiny stone that feels like a crater,

will you leave me forever?

happy birthday harry

I picked Harry & Lucy up from school on Friday last.

As we were riding to the Chick-Fil-A.

for lunch,

I asked Harry what kind of cake he wanted for his birthday.

Without hesitation he replied,

"I want a fire-breathing dragon and eagle cake."

Oh my....

that is really going to be a challenge.

As you can see, he got just what he wanted.

Harry turned seven today

and what a day it was!

He was on television early this morning

saying the pledge of allegiance with his class.

He and his friend Alex,

who share the same birthday,

celebrated with cookies and cupcakes at school.

He and his family ate Mexican for lunch.

He had his first soccer practice,

and then came to our house for his favorite meal....

steak, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob,

prepared by his granddaddy.

We opened presents,

blew out candles,

sang Happy Birthday,

and just had a grand ole time.

I like the young man Harry is growing into....

Serious and sensible,

handsome,

with his dreamy eyes and dark complextion

full of energy,

with a real desire to learn and do well

He is caring and loving, and very, very charming.

His mom and dad gave him his first set of real golf clubs.

Thank you God for giving us Harry!

river street ~ savannah

What an experience....

a walk down

River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Serious tourists abound,

but a real treat for us locals as well.

It is a happening place,

alive with

music, food, treats,

boats and hotels,

souvenir shops,

and various and sundry tents and kiosks

selling low country fare.

Such a fun place to spend an afternoon or evening.

(not my picture)

 More on the Stone 

 On Thursday

I went to my doctor for an X-ray.

Happy go lucky, smiling to myself I say.....

"This is so unnecessary,  that stone is so long gone."

After the X-ray the PA comes in.

Mrs. Cleland, the stone is......

still there.

What?

How can the stone still be there?

The pain is gone 

and 

I feel great.

Sorry dear, it is readily visible on the film.

Drink a lot of water and

we will see you back here in a week.

Hopefully it will be gone,

but if not......

So, I'm a walking time bomb.

At any moment

that thing could decide to tear loose.

In the meantime,

Lucy and I went to the beach today.

we spent three hours IN the pool.

#living normal life.

#will worry about it when and if it happens.

preach the word

I know I have shared this photo before.

This is David at six years old

preaching

in his first grade Sunday School class.

We were at 

Calvary Baptist Temple,

That is Brother John,

our pastor,

Kellie Rushing Lee,

and my mom on the back row.

I don't know what his passage was....

looks like he is preaching from the middle of the Bible.

Today,

David is the pastor of 

Cornerstone Church of Savannah.

We meet on Sunday morning at 9:15 for Sunday School

and at 10:30 for worship

over at the YMCA on Mercy Blvd.

If you are interested in hearing the truth preached,

verse by verse

in an expository way,

then come and join us this week

There is always a big pot of coffee and lots of good fellowship

and you don't have to dress up.

Paul's Charge to Timothy

"I charge you therefore before God

and the Lord Jesus Christ,

who will judge the living and the dead

at His appearing and His Kingdom;

Preach the word!

Be ready in season and out of season.

Convince,

rebuke,

exhort,

with all long-suffering and teaching.

For the time will come

when they will not endure sound doctrine,

but according to their own desires,

because they have itching ears,

They will heap up for themselves teachers;

and they will turn their ears away from the truth,

and be turned aside to fables.

But you be watchful in all things,

endure afflictions,

do the work of an evangelist,

fulfill your ministry."

II Timothy 4: 1-5

*This picture resides permanently in my Bible.

just now at the beach

.....because I can't stay away.

Grace

"Whatever may happen in life or in death,

whatever may take place in any conceivable situation or circumstance,

whatever may be your lot,

the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ will be sufficient.

It will hold you,

it will sustain you,

it will even enable you to rejoice in tribulation.

It will strengthen you,

establish you,

keep you, 

answer your every need,

and take you through.

Ultimately,

it will present you faultless,

perfect,

in glory in the presence of God."

The Life of Joy and Peace

MLJones

*Something wonderful to think about tonight

as you drift off to slumber.

big tree ~ down

Finally,

the tree is down.

Felled from the very top

by a 27 year old extremely brave young man

with an itty-bitty chain saw.

Bubba and I watched from chairs on the patio

while the feat of taking down a hundred foot pine tree

was orchestrated before our eyes.

They have left for lunch 

and will return any time now to clean up the mess.....

such a big mess it is.

Very thankful for the safety of the one who climbed so high.

Yards are endless work.

We rented for about seven years and had forgotten.

Work is good.

God ordained it to keep us busy and happy.

Glad this project

can be marked permanently off the list.

Clean-up has begun....

Sadly,

they left the place a big mess....

threw their water bottles on the ground,

 leaked oil from the tractor all over the driveway,

and tore up the grass, etc.

The tree is down,

but that is all. :(

*after the tree ordeal and the kidney stone event

I am ready for another

week at the beach.

an old postcard

This is our Tybee Island....

a rather smallish retreat off the coast of Georgia.

The shot is looking from the south end 

northward.

Butler Avenue is distinguishable,

as well as the old pier,

and the lighthouse on the north end.

I love Tybee!

I am still recuperating from the "stone thing"

on Saturday last.

Somehow, I am diminished a bit,

but not down,

and certainly not out.

I didn't go to water aerobics today.

I wrote about the tree "coming down" 

a couple of blogs ago.

The tree guy was supposed to be here at 9:00

this morning..

Bubba left early to go get Gus & Archie

so they could watch.

We should have known, though,

that he wouldn't show.

They never do.

Maybe tomorrow!

The key to life is to learn patience....

to not get easily upset,

and to roll with the punches.

We are getting lots of opportunities to practice.

Just hope that no hurricane developes

and decides to head this way.

Thankful this evening for water,

good, clean, pure water,

to drink a lot of,

to flush bad things out of our bodies.

Many people don't have the luxury of good water.

stones

My Saga

It was 4:00 am on Saturday morning (yesterday).

I should have still been sleeping.

But I was in pain....

like pain I've never experienced before.

Should I wake Bubba?

No,

it will go away soon.

It didn't!

At a little after 5:00 am,

we were in the ER.

Come on in Cathy,

we have a nice bed for you right here....

in the hall.

Could I please have a sheet?

Oh sure.

Don't worry.....

we will get you comfortable

 as soon as this nurse learns how to 

insert an IV in your arm.

She never did learn.

My arm is black and blue from where she practiced, though.

Another nurse (male)

got it done in two seconds flat.

Sorry, 

we need to take you to get a CAT scan.

We'll get you feeling better after that.

Could I have a sheet please?

Oh sure.

Afterwards,

they take me back to my place in the hall,

give me some meds in my IV,

and swiftly disappear.

The pain and nausea finally begin to dissipate.

Could I have a room, please?

Sorry, no room for you....

all of these other people have a room.

but there is not one for you!

Bubba is perched on the end of my stretcher,

because 

there is no chair for him in the hall.

Soon, the floor cleaner comes with this large machine

making the loudest noise I have ever heard.

He concentrated on the space right around my stretcher.

It must have been really filthy there.

Finally my doctor appears with a huge smile on his face,

when the floor cleaner finally moves on.

You have a Kidney Stone!

Is this supposed to be good news?

The pain is worse than childbirth.....

but you will live.

Go home, rest, and look for that stone!!!

Groggy from all the medication they pumped into my arm,

I slept all afternoon.

I haven't seen that Stone yet....

probably never will!

Oh my,

that's not how I planned to spend my Saturday.

shells & starfish

I love this bathroom.

What a delightful way to display shells.

I like the minimalism of this bathroom, too.

One claw foot tub,

a straight chair,

an antique table with a soap holder

and a bathmat.

All you need is some hot water

 and some bubbles

to make for a momentous bath.

I could really see myself relaxing right there.

Stormy day down here by the ocean,

Clouds and rain showers 

around all day.

Very thankful for God's provision.

The grass is looking better.

It got no water at all while we were on vacation.

Three

This morning when I was leaving,

an armadillo strolled across the road in front of me.

At the beach just now,

where I went to buy some fresh shrimp,

a raccoon dashed quickly along,

On the way home,

one of my favorites,

a deer,

jaunted merrily across.

Three!

Is there any significance in that do you think?

I'm just very thankful I did not hit the deer.

*Don't know who took this pic....it wasn't me!!!

big tree ~ coming down

He says its 100 feet tall....

the tree man that is.

It towers over all the other trees in the neighborhood.

I love trees.

It saddens me to have to have it cut down,

but it is leaning precariously

over toward our neighbors house.

The tree guy says,

"If it falls its falling right on his house."

So, since its on our property

we are responsible for any damages it may incur.

Also,

the bottom of the tree is rotten.

Now we wait. 

The first tree guy that we contracted with never showed up.

After two months of looking for him to show up,

 we found out that he never intended to do any cutting down on our property.

The fact that he drives around town in a huge truck

with blazing fire painted on the sides

should have been our first clue.

Bubba was not happy.

Those two pale yellow chrysanthemums

that we bought on Monday....

I just got them planted because it stormed last evening.

The deer had already eaten half of them.

How do they know the minute I bring a new plant home?

We hear they are planning to thin the herd out here.

I don't like to think about the implications of that,

but I am glad.

Hopefully it will help!

#ready to throw up my hands in despair

because.....

What's a front porch without pretty flowers?

heaven

Can you imagine a time when our accuser,

Satan,

will no longer annoy?

Do you know,

when we close our eyes in death we will be done with him forever?

"Above all,

 the wicked heart,

the old man.

the body of sin,

makes this life a dreadful labor.

When we wake in the morning, it lies like a heavy weight upon us.

When we would run in the way of God's commandments,

 it drags us back.

When we would fly, it weighs us down.

When we would pray,

it fills our mouths with other things.

'O wretched man that I am.'

But to depart and be with Christ,

is to be free from this.

We shall drop this body of sin altogether.

No more any flesh ~ all spirit,

all new man;

no more weight or drag....

we shall rest from our labors.

Oh, it is this that makes death in Christ so blessed.

Heaven as our home!

We shall rest from our labors.

It is the world of holy love,

where we shall give 

free, 

full,

unfettered,

unwearied,

expression to our love forever."

Blessed are the Dead

R. Murray M'Cheyne

"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!

Yes, says the Spirit,

that they may rest from their labors,

for their deeds follow with them."

Revelation 14:13

happy labor day

On Friday last, after school,

our grandbabies came over to Hilton Head for the afternoon.

They love the ocean too!

Harry was two weeks old when we first dipped his feet

in that salty water.

That's him there gazing out at the sea,

and Lucy pondering it all.

My desire 

would have been to have our whole family with us,

but with Archie's surgery 

and school starting so early, 

it was not to be.

Bubba and I managed quite nicely on our own, though.

Hope everyone has had a nice holiday.

It has been quiet here....

washing a lot of clothes,

 unpacking, 

and putting away the things we took to the beach.

He took me out to lunch,

and to Home Depot to buy two pale yellow mums

for the front porch.

Its September you know,

time to start thinking about fall, 

even though it has been blazing hot today.

Another desire I have

is for a great, big, ole thunderstorm to come

and cool things off a bit.

Anyway...

my Labor Day message is,

Summer don't go!!!