On Our Way For Smart Coffee

On our way to get a smart cup of coffee 

we saw one of those tinier than a golf cart autos.

They're showing up everywhere you drive...the SMART CAR.

Not for me.

Girls Time Out.

Mom, are you with us?
Daughter treated me to my Fancy Coffee 
at her Favorite Coffee Shoppe.
Thanx!

Paramour Artisan Coffee in Wamego.

www.paramourcoffee.com

Coffee Time before we visit the Thrift Shop and Oz Museum.

AINT she purdee!???

Too scared to kiss him.

He understood because he has a HEART.

d

On a different outing,
Sis, Lil Miss and I ate at ToTo's Tacos one day.
Thanx Sis.  She treated us.
ALL went o z s o m e l y well.
Such good company and good food made for a 
o z s o m e time.

 He understands because he's BRAVE.
Lil Miss has her two bottom teeth missing.

Lil Miss gave her Auntie some birthday earrings.

We girls went to see the movies The Great Gatsby 
and The Heat on 2 different evenings.  Sis WON a rubber ball from one of those games found in the Lobby that takes your money and usually leaves you empty handed.
Not this time.

FUN TO WIN!
Put a smile on our faces.

THE HEAT does have foul language 
and violence that could offend many.  Not for young children.
Lil Miss wearing her plastic Princess high heels went to see 
THE SMURFS with her Grandpa.

We had our Popcorn Fix.
I maybe go to the Movie Theatre twice a year.

Made my quota before the year was out,
d


End of Part 3 with Sis

Granny Nanny and Old Socks

Dear Ones,

Simple pleasures are fun.

So much fun making a blur.

With Company here, the 'ole sock fight was on.

Action packed.

Hubs was willing to get swatted with old socks

by Lil Miss and Grand Niece.

Old socks are great, 

but hearing them laugh was priceless,

granny d nanny

GAME ON and YOU'RE IT.

For safety, the glasses came off.

Take a breather.

Are you kidding?

We're serious.

Seriously.

All in a good day.
End of Part Two with Sis.

Sister Comes To Visit

~CHEZ PIZZA PIE GAMBINO'S STYLE~

Howdy from Home Haven.  Summer going well?  Mine's going fast.  zooooooom.  

Sister came for Summer Visit!  Our 18th anniversary.  Hank drops her off with her puppy and we have a Summer Break.  Niece and her children came along to see 'ole Aunt Deanna.  Nice visit. 

So much of Sis's clothing ended up still in Hank's vehicle as he drove away.  Sis  wasn't a happy camper having her clothing kidnapped.  We'd see him again in three days.  In the mean time we began our annual SHOPPING Til Ya Drop.

Started out with PIZZA for supper.

In the morning, miniature donuts
with milk, juice and coffee.
Thought the kids would love these.

Off to Thrift Shop in TOPEKA with a fancy coffee in hand. 
T R A D I T I O N.
 Stopped at JoAnn's then God's Warehouse.  BARGAINS for sure.  Onto the Mall for Lunch in the Food Court then the kids played.

Salads and I are becoming fast friends.  
The new me.  
Easy on the dressing.  

I sat a lot.  Had to.  

I can no longer go. go. go. stand. stand. stand. 

I blended in the crowd.  Nobody noticed.

Time to go.  Where's Deanna?

Find the nearest chair.

Oh, there she is.

 Still a pleasant time with Loved Ones.

 Went Home to rest for the night.

Opened Sis's Birthday gift.

She's a young 60 year old.

Next day, more shopping at Manhattan's Mall.

The Girls posed in the photo booth for FOTO FUN pics.

NATURALS!

SMILE!!!

Well-Seasoned Shoppers.

Before you knew it.....Niece and children journeyed back to Ioway.

Sis would stay for the week.

I should have taken pics of my Nephew and Hank 
when they came to pick Niece and Kids up.

We ate Mexican Food for lunch and said our good-byes.
Time went way too fast.
I still had places that we could have gone together.

Parting.

Then Sis, Lil Miss and I went to more places.
No pics of time with Mom in Hillsboro and Newton.

Shucks.  How did that happen?

End of Part I

More fun later.

d

DECORATING ON THE PRAIRIE: IS DECORATING A SIN?

One of the easiest ways to QUICKLY revamp a room is to shop the house to find something that wasn't in there, but now is.  Change out a picture on the wall and move a lamp.  Add a new fragrance and put some soft music on.  Add some sweets to the candy dish.  Dust and call it good.

Taking my Tea Set out of the China Cabinet to place on the Parlour Coffee Table for a shinny touch made a difference within the room and my MOOD.  Moved the Lamp with a Tiffany Shade off the Tea Table and placed it on the Desk that holds Grandchildren pics.  The Victorian Lamp that I had on the window sill now sits on the Tea Table and lights up the whole room.

Now for the big question...IS decorating a SIN?  
If we decorate all the time instead of doing the dishes or not wiping a child's snotty nose, then I think the priorities are wrong. Decorating is rewarding.  Adding charm.  Warmth to our homes and lives.  Helps to put our personal touch on our environment.  Makes a house a home and love makes a home a haven.  

If our decorating drains our finances, then I believe we're in the wrong and not using common sense.  

Revamping of my Formal Parlour took place on a rainy day when I was HOME alone.  It was THERAPY to me.  Took little effort with likable results.  

Revamped room has a nice place to sit, a focal point for a conversation piece, smells good and pleasant sounds in the air.

TaDaaaa...she's revamped.  Refreshing.  

Not a penny spent.  Decorating made easy.

Remember to take into consideration the 5 human senses when revamping a room in your home.

1) Shop the house. (thrifty)
2) Relocate a item that will become a conversation piece. (sight)
3) Switch out a picture. (sight)
4) Burn a new scent and/or make sure the room smells clean because it is clean. (smell)
5) Put on some quiet background tunes. (hearing)
6) Make sure the candy dish has some sugar-free candy in it for guest. (tasteful hospitality)
7) Provide a clean and comfortable place to sit. (touch)

What do you think about decorating your home?  
Sin or not? 

Decorating one's home is one thing, but truly I would rather have God's blessings on and in my home than simply having it decorated.  Would be a shame to have a place to call home without God's blessings.  It would be a cold environment without His Blessings.  Shallow is lonely.   

Some great verses about house blessings:


Psalm 122:7

Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!”

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ...

Psalm 23:1-6

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

ONE OF MY FAVORITE SCRIPTURES IS:

Proverbs 24:3-4

³ By wisdom a house is built,
    and through understanding it is established;
⁴ through knowledge its rooms are filled
    with rare and beautiful treasures.

Decorating On The Prairie and enjoying Life,

d

Contributing article to the Christian Home Magazine at www.daybydayinourworld.com

YE MUST PACE THYSELF

OKAY
i give.

I really don't know how some women get everything done that they claim they do and still do all their own housekeeping, laundry, meal preparations, wash dishes and put them away, cook gourmet dinners, have house beautiful from top to bottom, exercise, go shopping, feed the homeless, clean out the attic, paint the house, refurbish furniture, drive the car to events, provide carpools, bake a cake and give it the ill, minister to the lost, attend church services, sing in the choir, visit shut-ins, be in charge of this committee and that, create awesome master pieces, sew, hold down a job, tend to their children, romance their husbands, teach Sunday School, lead a Bible Study, and etc. etc. etc.

Are we suppose to do everything?  I seriously don't think so.  Especially not ALL at once or at the same time.

It is alright to be industrious, but how do you have time to be real, think clearly and pray?  Truly, how do you remain healthy and rested to where you have something to give to those that you live with?  Ye must pace thyself.

The virtuous woman is known by her tasteful and tactful actions that reflect the way she thinks, behaves and believes.  For it is in the believing and embracing godly ways to practice that she is praised.

The virtuous women chapter in Proverbs list such characteristics of excellence to admire and strive to be like when a noble wife.  She is doing.  She is being.

Proverbs 31

New International Version Sayings of King Lemuel 1The sayings of King Lemuel— an inspired utterance his mother taught him. 2Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers! 3Do not spend your strengtha on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. 4It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, 5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. 6Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! 7Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. 8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Epilogue:  The Wife of Noble Character 10b A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 16She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 30Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

So while you're doing.....consider having.  Having a good name.

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1

A good name is better than riches.  Hard to find those with a good name in this hustle and bustle world of ours out there, but I'd rather sleep with a clear conscious knowing I honored my word, paid my debts and treated others as fairly as possible.  Having a good name to me means something.

A clear conscious is one of the best stress busters I know of as well as one of the best beauty treatments around.  Less frowns with a less tense jawline leads up to a beautiful face.  

Sunday thoughts about being a wife and woman.
Hope your day is going well,
d

Marriage~ Edith Schaffer Lederberg

Marriage is a covenant between two people who deeply sense that their lives are, and always will be, shared as one.

Marriage is the fulfillment of a dream and an awareness that reality also can bring us the beauty of dreams.

Marriage is a promise that today is the beginning of a future that will nurture love, respect, honor and mutual faith as the greatest strengths for its foundation.

Marriage is an understanding between two sensitive, intelligent, and caring people who have evidenced that true love can survive all obstacles and grow stronger with the passage of time.

~Edith Schaffer Lederberg

Naked Ladies and Collecting My Thoughts

 

Naked Ladies

The day has started and I am exhausted.
Wish I could crawl back into bed and take an early morning nap.  Sigh.  I don't like being this tired.  Praying I get pepped up as the week passes.

Company has left and I can tell that I do not have the gusto of a well person.  I did shop till I sat down and I sat a great deal.  Had too.  I just can't go go go go go and go some more.  Had fun being out with my Sister, Daughter, Grand daughter, Niece and her two children.  Pictures later.  Nice meals out, fancy Coffees and bargains were found.  Hubby hung the new old Bathroom door and put up some trim. 

Today, I have to take Lil Miss and go somewhere as the City is working on the sewer lines where we are not to run or flush water until 8 PM this evening. Think we'll go to the Oz Museum.  Take in the Public Library and Dollar Store.  Grab a bite to eat then find a quiet spot to rest.  Maybe under a shade tree.  Better take along a few magazines to look at.

So very pleasant outside...about 60 degrees and wonderful.  Little breeze.  Blue skies.  The Street Sweeper just went by as I can hear it from the opened window.  Winnie the Pooh Movie is playing on our television as Lil Miss digs through a tub of small toys on the floor.  The Clothes Dryer is running and when this load of clothing is dried, out she'll come and I'll hang everything up on hangers then up stairs she'll go to be hung on a rack.  I'm sippin' my morning black coffee as I type.  Perhaps the caffeine will perk me up some.
Hope so.

Lil Miss starts school this week.  Summer Vacation is over.  I'm not sad.  Had a super Summer and ready to now shift gears to getting back to serious alone time.  Blessings abound.  In hopes of completing a book. 

Thursday, I will have the day off from Childcare as Daughter has the work day off to take Lil Miss to school and pick her up.  With time off...It will be an exciting place around here as I will clean out the refrigerator.  Contain yourself.  I know this kind of excitement is difficult to take.  grins.  hush.

Some "don't get it."  I always feel some kind of satisfaction when the inside of my fridge is clean and orderly.  It's just one of those things that makes a difference in me.  When I complete this, I will go onto scraping the excess paint that was left behind on the transit window that is above the front Parlour Door.  I was slow to get the door and trim primed and painted, but she is.  SO glad about that.  Slowly and precisely, I will methodically move onto the next chore needing done like a home project waiting for attention such as lining the Kitchen shelves that are painted.

I had hoped to get this completed before my Sis came to visit, but didn't.  I thought if I lined the inside of the cabinets that are painted that it would be nice to have our everyday white dishes pleasantly resting for use.  On one side of the Kitchen sink would be our drinking glasses and coffee cups.  On the other would be the white dishes.

The metal racks that are in the Dining room would be emptied and some of the boxes that are on the Dining room floor could be placed on the racks until we figure out what exactly will go in the cabinets when they are finished.  Shelves will be built in the cellar to hold the over flow that we don't use everyday.  It has been a slow process.  Much like a turtles pace.  Sigh.  I have to busy myself with other activities as I wait for the finished product to materialize.  

Hubby will return to working on our tiny Kitchen this week-end.  He removed the old Bathroom door and replaced it with a better door that has the old brass door knob.  Scrubbing the brass door knob for two hours she looks new.  Truly was grungy with crud from years of use and neglect. 

Pink Naked Ladies have bloomed and I love them.  We have more this year that stand tall in the Flower Bed.  Hubby told me he found some in the backyard as well that he didn't know were there hiding behind the Rose Of Sharon Bushes beside the Garage.  If we transplant these newly found flowers, they will look beautiful in our front Flower bed.  I remember the first time I saw Naked Ladies and a friend's Husband called them Naked Ladies because they have no leaves.  Just stems.  Appropriate name.  More Lilies.  It seems like we are enjoying a variety of Lilies that bloom through-out the Summer. 

As I struggle to lose weight, my oldest Son, Wife and Family relocated this Summer.  Two of the children will have the adventure of new schools this year.  As they looked for a rental house, I found out that the Oklahoma rental house we lived in years ago was torn down and is now a street instead to make way for a more Football related High School Campus.  I can still see this house in my mind.  Sigh.  I felt a tad bit saddened that this house is gone.  Vanished.  It was in this house that our Son introduced us to our future Daughter-in-law that would be the mother to these children that we call Grandchildren.  The junky rental had the funnest Kitchen in it that I have ever been Mistress over.  Just a memory now.  I have to keep it real and have funn in my present torn up Kitchen that is becoming a spruced up room.  Blessings.  I want to enjoy this house of ours that we presently call HOME.

Yet my other Son is still inching his way to Divorce Court.  Grievous.  I'm not sure how to take this divorce.  Saddened.  Disappointed.  Concerned how my Grandson will be raised by a single Mom with my Son not there.  Daughter stays busy preparing for her Daughter's School Term gathering school clothes for Lil Miss.   

ANOTHER friend of mine has died from Cancer.  Saddened.  Another death.  Grieving.  God is still on the throne and I must trust Him.  I will trust Him.  Praying everyday.  My spirits need lifted.  Good news with my 39th Wedding Anniversary on the 31st.  I hope we make it!  39 years.  I will want to look at our Wedding Pics and nibble some white cake.  Perhaps I should make a cake for this occasion.  Hummm.  Will give it a go.

Like the Kansas Weather, if you don't like it...wait a bit and it will change.  Spirits are lifted.

With free time approaching quickly, I will have time to sit alone, think and pray.  Finish thinning out our closets, sew some curtains, dust, sing and dance in the Family room.  Write my book and go through mounds of paperwork that have been ignored to too much on my plate.     

My morning is getting away from me.
Thanks for stopping by.  
I think about you often,
d

A Really Lovely Day!

Blessings.

Summer going well?

We've had some rain.

The drizzles.

Have been away from the computer 

this past week enjoying time with my Sis.

Week-end is approaching.

May yours be pleasant and oh so sweet.

God bless.

Love u,

d

Luke 12: 6 and 7

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? 

Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 

Don’t be afraid; 

you are worth more than many sparrows. 

Candy's Top 5 Packing Tips | Candy Spelling’s Official Website

There's just something about tips and hints that I grubbed up on.....having a TEACHABLE SPIRIT goes a very long ways.

Couldn't we all use a tip or two to help ease our hectic paces in this 'ole world?

Candy Spelling and I don't exactly rub elbows in the same arena other than we are both Women.  That's alright.  I think the fact that we all can use some information to make our LIVES a little easier or manageable is a plus.

Have a super Summer and remember that you have great value.
God's loves you and wants great things for your life,
d