TEACHERS OF GOOD THINGS

LIKE CHRISTMAS to some MOTHERS DAY brings dark clouds of sadness instead of happiness and wonderment.  If we can focus on the good perhaps this recognition of Mothers will be more enjoyable to think about.

Motherhood is something we all can admire and appreciate even if we have never had a baby of our own or had to give the baby up for adoption.  MOTHERHOOD is a reality that takes place on planet earth.  

Personally I had to learn as I went along on how to be a mother.  It did not come to me naturally. I was one of those that struggled with what I was suppose to do with a baby.  God helped me enjoy this place called motherhood.  I could relax in HIM and not worry so much about being a mom.

My own mother was a fine example of what a mother was.  Still I had to give much thought to how to be a good mother.

I like little children and have learned so much from my own children.  My children are grown now with children of their own.  I can admire children as I observe their youth.

All people can.  

As we grow older, we can enjoy children even if they are not our natural children.  

                                           CHILDHOOD.  
                                  A phase we all go through.  

Perhaps you are not a mother, never have been one or perhaps you're estranged from your own children.  
Maybe you're around many children.  

Titus 2: 3-5 doesn't say you have to be a mother in order to teach younger women to be sober, 
to love their husbands, 
to love their children 
and to be keepers of the HOME.  

The older woman can demonstrate behavior that's holy and be TEACHERS of good things.

Titus 2:3-5King James Version (KJV)

3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

A very nice way to celebrate LIFE.
ALL THE BEST AND GOD BLESS,
d

HAPPY Mother's Day

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY,

d


~TEACHERS OF GOOD THINGS~
Perhaps you are not a mother, never have been one or perhaps you're estranged from your own children.  Maybe you're around many children.  This scripture doesn't say you have to be a mother in order to teach younger women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children and to be keepers of the HOME.  The older woman can demonstrate behavior that's holy 
and be TEACHERS of good things.

Titus 2:3-5King James Version (KJV)

3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

OLD POSTS I WANTED TO SHARE:
http://homehavenministry.blogspot.com/2013/05/belated-mothers-day.html

http://homehavenministry.blogspot.com/2011/05/mothers-day.html

http://homehavenministry.blogspot.com/2016/05/happy-mommas-day.html

Multi-tasking

Sometimes I cannot multi-task.  Women are notorious multi-taskers.  I have my moments when I cannot concentrate on one big project with so many other things going on and I get overly tired thinking about all that needs to be done.  Other times, the multi-tasking is doable without breaking a sweat.  

THESE DAYS the multi-tasking is overly active with juggling the old with the new.  The damaged with the reusable.  Replacing the lost.  

THOUGHTS OF:    
How to make room for us in this small cottage.  
How to decorate it.  
What needs to be done to the cottage to clean it up and put it in better repair.  
How to store the things we need to hang onto.  
Letting go of the things we no longer need.

At present I'm thinking about Living room furniture that will replace what we lost in the house fire.  What style, color or texture next to what size and shape.  With that said, I have to document ALL that was lost.

This is an ongoing task.  I am presently going through the boxes that are holding things that have been cleaned by one company.  Right at the moment I am jotting down what is in every box and placing the box in the room it will go into.  Another box to hold give aways and another box if the items still stink of smoke.


This afternoon I worked on what was returned to us from a different company that cleaned what they could and returned what they couldn't clean at all.  MY TEDDY BEAR COLLECTION took a serious hit.  So smoked damaged that I don't want to believe it.  The ones that don't stink too badly will go to the launder mat and I will wash them to see if the smoke smell does come out.  If so then I will dye the badly stained bears a dark brown or black.  I would still have some bears to love.

IF NOT...the bears will have to make their way to the trashcan and hibernate in the dump.  Forever trash.

Going through the boxes, taking pictures of the items with green numbered tags attached to each item, and jotting down what each thing is.  Pictures of everything.  Then there's a pile of what is going to be thrown away for sure and a pile for what I will try to clean as best I can.

THIS HURT as I went through a box that held my PROM DRESS.  Badly smoke stained and stinks to high heaven.  Formal wear from my daughter's high school years and a gorgeous evening gown she wore as a bridesmaid for a dear friend of hers all trash.  

Forging ahead and taking note of what was to what is.  It has gotten easier to throw damaged things away.  I have a very long ways to go.  THIS YEAR my hobby is fire recovery.  I can't imagine doing all of this and holding down a job as well.  I'd be a basket case if I were doing both.  Very emotionally taxing.
  

Evenings are spent watching HOME FIRES.  Disappointed that Season 3 will not take place at the time.  This series has intrigued me the entire time.  Now my Husband is enjoying this time era.  TOGETHER we are watching this story line unfold before our eyes.  

When I check up on these actors in the present day compared the characters they play, it's amazing how different a person can look with a different hair style or color.  Make-up and clothing does so much.

BEDTIME IS LATE as I multi-task this season in life.  As I find our treasures in good shape, it is hard to go to bed and sleep, but sleep I must. 

SWEET DREAMS,  
d

Unusual Day

As I was going through a bunch of boxes unwrapping precious glassware, the phone rang.  DAUGHTER was asking if she could drop by and eat her Lunch with me.  Of course you can.  

While on her Lunch Break she rode her bike to RETIREMENT COTTAGE carrying her salad with cottage cheese.  We sat and chatted when the her phone rang.  Lil Miss fell at school and was hurt.  The timing was good for me to drive her to be with Lil Miss.  We picked her up as she had fallen and hit her forehead.

Her head hurt and I offered to watch her for the afternoon.  We were out of children's pain reliever, but a quick trip to Dollar General changed that.  We took a drive about town while Lil Miss held a ice cold can of Pepsi in her scrapped up hands from the fall earlier.  I needed to buy some stamps and mail Mother's Day cards.

The day was lovely with cloudy skies and sunshine.  We're expecting some storms tomorrow, but for today the windows were open in the cottage with the ceiling fan running.  Lil Miss knows that Grandma here kept some her toys in small storage boxes that were left behind.  She played and we talked.  I will continue going through fire recovery boxes in the morning.  Lord willing.

The laundry will be worked on and the treasures in the boxes unwrapped.

We had BLTs for supper with old fashioned potato chips brushed with salty dust.  A cold root beer on ice tasted just right as we rested a bit in our overstuffed chairs.  I had asked my dear Husband if we could walk over to the rock house and clip some flowers to place in a vase for my Mother for Mother's Day.  It's in the contract that we agreed to dig up the Irises after they fade.  The flowers are still ours.

When I talked to my Mom this evening she had made plans to spend time with my younger brother to help him celebrate his Birthday.  I told her I needed to make a reservation to spend time with her since she in demand.  So I won't be spending Mother's Day with her this year.  She'll receive a card in the mail and I will be the one to enjoy the beautiful flowers in crystal vases for a few days before they fade out.

I wished her a very Happy Mother's Day and told her that I loved her.

She is missing my Dad.  Seems like she is getting worse.  We visited some.  Her Husband is in Heaven.  My daddy died, but resides in Heaven.  Everyone processes their loss differently.  She is grieving and she needs to.  It will take as long as it takes.

As her Daughter, I can say comforting words, pray and keep an eye out on her.  I'm not sure how long she will grieve....perhaps the rest of her earthly life.

Lil Miss told me that her stomach hurt when she thought about us not living any longer in the rock house.  I told her I was sad for a long time.  I'm feeling better about not living in our rock palace.  I have my memories and pictures.  The old house has great meaning to me.  It always will.  The time frame where I lived there will mean a time in life where I lived the longest period of time as a married woman.

We lived there ten years.  The clock is ticking and we now live at RETIREMENT COTTAGE.  It's very small, but ours.  The fire recovery boxes are filling the rooms.  I hope to work quickly as to find out what's in the boxes.  CHRISTMAS like.

It's  a HAPPY time to see our belongings that made it through the fire returned to us in good condition.  It's a hallelujah.  I unearthed my two cruet sets, some of my Blue Garland china, a few books, crystal bowls.  Tomorrow I hope to make it through more boxes without crying sad tears.

This evening we watched HOME FIRES.  Husband and I.  Such a good program that will not be renewed for a third season.  I think whoever decided that is nuts.  

ONLY HAPPY THOUGHTS.
With Mother's Day approaching, I will think of happy times I had as a MOTHER.  I hope to spend time with the one who made me a MOTHER.

HUGS,
d

It's Magic

ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES ON THE PLANET is the KSU Gardens in Manhattan, Kansas.  
I try each year to make a special trip to the Gardens to see the Irises in bloom.  The Tall Bearded Irises have begun to bloom.  My favorite. 

Over the years the Gardens have changed.  The area where the Fountain is, use to be only lawn.  A very nice addition to the property.  Sidewalks have been added and the Irises moved from bed to bed through the years. I have studied the lay-out and continue to grow right along with it.  Similar to the flowers.  

Having a tendency to admire the TALL BEARDED IRISES.  Every year I lean toward a certain color.  Last year is was the bright yellows, the year before the WHITE.  

LOVE  the "Bridal Wreath" with vibrant white coloring and purple interior.  This year I looked closer at the center of the bloom and saw first hand the purple coloring that I hadn't noticed before.  
Nice surprise.


Our flowers between the sidewalk and the fence had become landlocked.  These were relocated to the backyard and will be removed from the property after they bloom and fade.  Some work ahead of us.

WHERE I GO... they go.
d

Dance Like No One Is Watching

BUT I DID.  I watched many times.

Time machine takes me back to when DAUGHTER 
was playing dress up in a dance costume.  
We were at my Mom and Dad's HOME.

DAUGHTER was enjoying 

pretending to be a Ballerina.

I wasn't pretending at all.

I was a real mama.

A Mama.

Next to being a Wife and Keeper of the HOME,

my highest calling is being a Mom.

If I could just dance as if no one was watching

I think I would enjoy two stepping.

UP ON YOUR TOES,

d

My Newest CRUSH

HEART PALPS are not fun to have.  They cause me to be anxious and upset.  Deciding to cut back on caffeine, I had to consider drinking less coffee.  This wasn't on my agenda.  My mornings start with coffee and cream to thumb through my hopefuls list that I want to get done for the day.  I usually write out a plan for the day.  

Hanging loose knowing that the plans aren't in concrete.  It's grace to be alright with not following the list to the T.   At the end of the day, there are no sad thoughts about the uncompleted list.

I pick up the next day and forge ahead getting done what I get done.  Seems like I always add things to the list as the day passes. 
I remember a time when I would get so tense if the list weren't completed.  Odd thing was it never mattered how much I got accomplished, it was NEVER ENUFF.  I've been delivered from this mind set that was a type of mental torment.

How can you have a sense of accomplishment when it didn't matter how much you got done and still it wasn't enough?  This was a wicked sentence to place on my head.  Prayerful consideration was given and I was delivered from such punishment.  This is liberating.  PEACE CAME.    

Finding PERO at the grocery store I tried some.  MADE from Barley it was actually good. Adding cream to the hot drink is like sipping a nice cup of coffee.  Same coloring, texture and flavor.  Okay.  I like it a lot. 

My newest crush is this beverage powder that you add hot water to.  Using the Keurig makes the process easier than easy.  Put a heaping teaspoon of PERO in a nice coffee cup.  Use the Keurig for hot water and have it ready within the minute.  

The powder and water mix nicely when stirring the mixture with a spoon as the water drips into the cup.  Nice consistency.  If you wait until all the water is in the cup then stir, you'll have clumps.  Better to stir as water goes into cup.  

Add some cream and go sit in my comfy chair to spend time with my newest CRUSH to figure out my day.  PERO is a very nice substitute for a caffeine beverage.  

My hearts beating in a good way,
d

What Will The Next Wave Be?

AS I DROVE ACROSS THE PRAIRIE on my way to the Pharmacy I had to take a deep breath while looking at the powder blue skies that only had a few puffs of white and grey clouds.   What a beautiful day it was with temps in the 70s.  No threat in the sky for stormy weather.  The sky reminds me of how it looks on a hot summer day praying for rain to cool the ground.

PINCH ME so I know I'm awake and not dreaming how pretty the Prairie landscape is.  This time of year is one of my favorites as the trees are covered with many shades of green.  Flowers are blooming and bushes are loaded with colorful blossoms that will more then likely fade into more green.

Often I drive by our old place to see the flowers taking turns blooming in the front flowerbed and around some of the trees.  Today my heart did not ache because I no longer live there.  I was able to not hurt.  PROGRESS has taken place.  This SPRING is the one that has allowed me to move forward in LIFE and not be stuck grieving our loss of the house to fire.  The fact that we are still alive blesses my soul.

I have walked through the rock house a few times and the interior floorpan isn't what it use to be.  The man that is rebuilding this place is a visionary and has a plan in how the house will look after crews work the place over.  I'm not sure that when they have an open house that I will be able to walk through the house again.  I think by then I will have to admit defeat and cannot tour the finished product.  I have my pictures and memories to remember the house the way it was.  My Husband and I worked on the house for ten years.  

We've had so much rain lately, this type of clear atmosphere is a welcome change.  Next week it may be stormy again as the weatherman spoke on the news tonight.

Husband has taken ill and I had to go to the Pharmacy to pick up his meds.  Computer glitch and the prescription was stuck in the system.  It wasn't there.  A few phone calls made everything all better.  Back to the Pharmacy.

The young man that dealt with me had a bushy beard.  I just learned what a HIPSTER is this past week.  I didn't realize that the next wave of stereotyping had a name....HIPSTERS.  I'm part of the BABY BOOMER GENERATION.  At the moment I cannot name all the generations.  Generation X,Y and Z.  Twix and tweens.  

Hipsters.  TATOOS and beards, tight jeans and what else,
d


PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS 

hip·ster¹

ˈhipstər/

noun

informal

plural noun: hipsters

1. a person who follows the latest trends and fashions, especially those regarded as being outside the cultural mainstream.
   

   
   

BEARDS  ARE TALKED ABOUT IN THE BIBLE.  This one about Jesus having his beard plucked off clears up the issue that when he died he didn't have a nicely shaped beard.  It had been plucked off before being crucified.  When he was buried, his beard would have been seriously altered.

Isaiah 50:6 - I gave my back to the smiters, 

and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: 

I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

Standing Your Ground

ONE LITTLE PEONY PLANT

loaded with soft pink blossoms.  The aroma is heavenly.  

PERFUME TO MY LIKING.  If I had my way I'd stand for more of these plants on the grounds.  

Fortunately, this particular one is ever so lovely.  

Reading about how to take care of peonies is very educational 

for me.  If you transplant these in the Autumn they do better than those planted in the SPRING.

I wonder how old this plant is.

SO PRETTY.

Today I took a short drive to the Post Office 

and then about Town to look at all the flowers.

Looking at the flowers lifted my spirits.

I took time to SMELL the Peonies,

d

Chick In Hand

All smiles,

Granny d Nanny

Small Town Bakery

Glad you've stopped by.  Let's go to the BAKERY together.  I'll treat you to anything you want.  LET GO and let's go.

BACK IN THE DAY....a beautiful small town Bakery displaying their goods.  I have had DREAMS about that square white cake.  Wondered if it were coconut!  Imagine preparing all these goodies day after day after day.  To do a good job, you'd have to LOVE BAKING wouldn't you?

Pretend with me for a moment.  Pretend you are there looking at the items.  What would you take HOME with you that day?

I noticed the Donuts on the bottom shelf, but I'm taking the square white cake for sure.  Can you smell the sweetness in the room?  Friendly people to help you with your selection.

Blessings to you this fine day.
Only SWEETNESS,
d

Rain Rain Go Away Come Again Another Day

JUST LIKE I REMEMBER

SUNDAY AFTERNOON AS WE DROVE FROM ST. LOUIS to Kansasland the rain poured so heavy I couldn't see very well behind the wheel.  Slowing down to a snail's pace, I got nervous.  Very uncomfortable.  The flashers went on, the speed of the car slowed way down as other cars were pulling over to the side of the road. 

The last three days was a continuous storm.  Rumbling thunder with flashes of light.  SO much rain that the weatherman warned about flash floods. 

We spent the week-end with our Son and Grandson as it was GRANDPARENTS DAY on Friday.  Ice Cream treats after a short program where we were told how important we are in our Grand Child's life.

Even with the rain we had a very nice visit.  It was as if time stood still.  April vanished into the end of the month and I shared what MAY DAY is to my Grand.  May Baskets with flowers on neighbors doors from a secret admirer.  Ring the door bell and or knock on the door.  Run and hide behind some bushes so the one that answers the door has a surprise.

Sweet memories from my past warm my heart.  Memories.  Only small portions can I remember, but they are there.  Pleasantly there to remind me of a time where I ran and giggled leaving neighbors flowers on their front doors.  Happy times as a young girl.  

May you have a wonderful MAY DAY,
d