Second post of the day, so keep reading after this one. I always make a daily visit to Button Willow Cottage and when I saw this picture I had to comment on something adorable Jenny's son, Ian, says. He loves lemonade, loves it. But he calls it lemolade, and I will truly hate the time when he begins pronouncing it correctly. Like when he called his daddy, dahee, with a short a sound. One day he came over and all of a sudden Brandon was 'daddy' and I knew a piece of childhood had just slipped away. So this is for you, Ian Todd, here's some lemolade, just for you~
Lemolade
Items For Sale!
Unless one of the girls wants any of these items in their home, these pieces will be for sale~I'll list asking price, but you know that's the fun of yard sales ~ you have to dicker! Loveseat $175 Chair & Ottoman $75 Sofa $225 Square Coffee Table $35
You can leave a comment or email me at jandnhood@yahoo.com
Continue reading to see what else is up for sale. {We were never moving to Arizona; one of my nephews lives out there and we were giving it to him as part of a wedding gift. However, he made the decision that it would be too costly, with the price of gas, to haul it to Surprise, AZ. So, it's on the market because we aren't taking it with us!}
Items For Sale!
Notice to all you sweethearts that would like a chance to purchase something before I open the doors to the rest of the world~the decision was made moments ago NOT to take the master bedroom bed and bookcases to Arizona. So, they are now for sale.
These four bookcases can stand alone or together as you see them. The glassed piece is lit from within, as are the two bookcases. These pieces are heavy and in great shape. Bring someone to help you. It will take more than Johnny and another male to get them out. When we lived on Running Brook, I had the TV in our bedroom, thus having a bookcase on either side of the glassed unit. Let me know if you want them! $200 for all four SOLD
I love love love this bed. It's a Somma Softside California King and will have the bedding set, plus curtains with it. Headboard is also for sale. $250 for bed & bedding $60 for headboard NO LONGER FOR SALE
On my Flickr site, you'll find a set of items I'm pulling out and will be selling. The prices range from ten cents to two dollars. Click here to go that page~
Help me empty this house!! Bookcases and California king can go at any time. We have another bed to sleep on so you won't be putting us on the floor~
Our Mississippi Babies!
This is my second post for tonight, so keep reading when you finish this one~Stacey sent snapshots of Austin & Alaina today and I just had to share my favorites with you. I miss them bunches and look forward to our life slowing down here so we can travel back over there!
When a Door Opens, Move!!
When God opens a door, be prepared to hustle. We have been hustling around here for the last three weeks. From the time the sign went in the yard {less than a month ago!!}, to putting a deposit on a new apartment, to having our home inspected, to meeting the new owners {today!!}, it's been a whirlwind of activity!! And that's putting it mildly. The upswing is that John and I wake up in anticipation each day! We are making so many plans, and I have to share with you that I haven't seen him this excited since each grandchild was born! The apartments we are moving into are brand new and this man of mine can't wait to NOT have yard work or maintenance on things that don't work. He's so funny. It's going to be an adjustment for him, as he has never lived in an apartment and it is definitely a different way of living. There are things we will sorely miss ~ like a garage/carport, a swing, a deck, and having to put his water 'toys' in storage. Luckily, there is a great facility at the top of the hill from the apartment, so he won't have to go far. {hearty chuckle here!!}
However, we love the complex, the area, the idea of taking our time to build another home, and having a pool and fitness center within easy walking distance! Not to mention having less house to dust and keep up. When we decided to make this move, we just didn't think it would happen so quickly. Never, ever underestimate the power of God.
Stacey has sent new snapshots of our Mississippi babies and I'll be posting them a bit later tonight. Have I told you lately how in love with our grandbabies I am?!
Another Death in the Todd Smith Family~
Sad news~Jenny called me this morning to tell of the death of an infant, Luke Sponberg. In yesterday's post, I asked that you visit Bring the Rain and become a prayer warrior for Angie and Todd Smith, who lost their daughter seven weeks ago. Earlier in Angie's pregnancy, it was learned that Audrey Caroline would not live long. She died within three hours of birth.
Last night, they received the news that their three month old nephew had died, apparently from SIDS. The family has traveled to Georgia to be with his sister, Nicol, and her husband Greg Sponberg. Angie is asking for specific prayers and lists them on her blog. I ask that you lift them up in your prayers this week and the days to come.
Bring the Rain
My sweet friends, {and if you're reading this, then yes, I call you friend for why else would you be here if you weren't wondering how we are} Jenny brought to my attention this morning of a blog that brought her to tears. You remember that our Lord wept and I know without a doubt that God weeps as well. He sheds tears for us and how fitting it is that we shed tears for others. I believe in this way we uplift others to His Mercy and Grace, family, friends, and even strangers.
I encourage you to to click and visit Bring the Rain. Not because I want you to cry, although be prepared to, but because this family needs our prayers, our love, and our notes of compassion. I've only read her first post {there is text to the left that directs you to the beginning} for I chose to learn this sweet soul from Day One, and like Jenny I was moved to tears for the cross she is bearing. Surrounded by family, friends, and professionals with faith and love for the Lord, she is still having to walk an extremely hard path. I think you'll be blessed by being, in a small way, a part of it.
Daily Devotional~
He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart;he gently leads those that have young.~
Isaiah 40:11
From the Father's Heart: My child, you are indeed one of My precious lambs. I know your nature. Like a sheep that easily wanders astray, your cries bring Me to your side in a moment. When you are hurting, I do not pour salt on your wounds. Instead, you will feel My soothing love and tender touch, healing the cuts you have sustained. When you cannot walk alone, I will carry you gently until you have safely reached green pastures again.
A grateful response: Just like a caring shepherd, You carry me as one of Your lambs close to Your heart. I love Your tenderness, the way You nurture me and soothe my bleeding wounds. I want to stay close, Lord, listening for Your heartbeat, keeping my eyes on You. I love You, Lord.
A simple truth: There are no greener pastures than God's own backyard.
A simple truth: There are no greener pastures than God's own backyard.
200th Post! New People!
This is my 200th post!! Whoo Hoo! Okay, that's over {good chuckle} I posted this morning to draw your attention to several new people in the blogging world. My friends are so talented and I learn from each of them. Two have decided to try this media as a means of sharing their works with others. Please visit their sites, leave them a comment or two, and check back regularly with them! The sites are works in progress, which makes it even more interesting!
Raymond Elliott is a powerful writer. A husband, father, and minister, he loves the Lord and has much knowledge of the Scriptures. You'll be blessed reading his works. He also enjoys turkey hunting. Growing up on Sand Mountain in north Alabama, he has many stories that I'm hoping he'll share. I've read them and they always brought chuckles and grins. Raymond has several blogs ~ some are a series of writings ~ but you can begin with Scenes From My Window. From there, you can link to his other blogs, or find them in my Link list to the right.
Lynne Griffies has a talent for photography. I've taken several of her images over the years and have them ready for framing. She has decided to share with us, and you can be assured that as she becomes comfortable with this media, we'll all be blessed with her views of our world. Lynne can be found at Pages From Our Life. Lynne is also a new grandmother and I'm sure we'll be seeing those sweet faces.
Stop by and welcome these two dear friends to the fascinating world of blogging~
A Perfect Day~
It's a movie, The Perfect Day, that is. But it is also what my days are. Okay, so maybe not perfect where everything goes the way it should; maybe not perfect in that everyone treats each other the way they should; and, maybe not perfect in that tears never cloud the sun. I do know there is a place of perfect days, a place that exists just as surely as I am sitting here writing this to you~
I read the book, then rented the movie through Netflix. The book was better. The lesson is a powerful one. Written by Richard Paul Evans, I don't intend to tell you any more because that would spoil it. I'm not even going to provide a link, because that contains spoilers. Just buy the book or check it out ~ but read it. Then watch the movie, if you need faces to go with the names.
But back to the concept of a perfect day. This past Saturday began as a perfect day. Our home was showing at 9:30 to a couple that had seen it once before and were interested in spending more time in it. John and I left, riding around looking at homes and places we wished were for sale. We had a nice breakfast, then sat down the road from our house waiting for it to be vacated. You see, we had a wedding in Ft. Walton to attend! It all went as planned. Except ~
there were moments of sadness, pain, and hurt that took place before we left the wedding. You see when choices are made, there are consequences. It can also be said that when choices are made, a difference takes place in the life of someone. I made a choice three years ago and there were consequences. Consequences that didn't surprise me, it's one of the reasons I never acted on it before. But it was good to change my mind and the consequences were as I expected. Truth is a good thing, but powerful.
While at the wedding, a difference was made. A few, in fact. I'm hopeful that seeds of forgiveness, love, and truth were planted and that from this there might be healing. It all depends on the hearts of those involved. On our ride back to Prattville, there were a few tears, some discussion, and many prayers. And yet there was also laughter, and hope, and dreams.
Sunday afternoon another couple came back to take a second look! Again, we rode around before coming home to spend time, again, on the deck in the swing.
By Monday, we had two offers. By Thursday, it was sold. Thirteen days from the time the sign was put in the yard, we had three couples look at it {all three came back twice!}, two offers, and a contract was signed. Amazing! Amazing? No, not when you believe that He is in charge and will take care of you. At this time, it appears everything is good to go, barring any unforeseen problems. And ~
it's going to be a perfect day. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow. With the decision to put a sign in the yard came the consequence of signing a contract. John and I are embarking on a new journey! What an awesome difference in our life together, and we are excited! A couple from Enterprise, a retired teacher like me!, will be moving to Prattville where they have a new grandchild to pamper and spoil. What a difference in the lives of their family!
Perfect days. Every day. They are filled with His goodness, His love, His plans. There's going to be tears, but eyes need to be washed in order to see what He needs us to feel. There's going to be pain, but pain allows us to feel what He needs us to see. Johnny reminded me on our trip home that there was nothing I was feeling, that he was feeling, that Jesus hadn't felt. And he was so right. And I am so thankful I made the trip, that I were there, that I saw, I smiled, that I reached out.
A bit earlier this evening, I sat in my swing and I have to tell you, I'm going to miss this. I'll miss listening to the fountain and the mockingbird. I won't have to wonder what would best planted where the boxwoods used to be or how many azaleas need to go on the master bath wall. That's for someone else to dream about now. Choices. Consequences. Differences. It's all part of a perfect day~
2nd post for the day~
I just had to add this! Be sure to read on and see what the artist has to say about why she drew this. Click here to read more about Doodle 4 Google.
Up in the Clouds
My doodle, "Up in the Clouds," expresses a world in the sky. This new world is clean and fresh, and people are social and enlightened. Every person here is treated as family no matter who they are. The bright sun heats this ideal place with warmth, love, and brightens everyone's day.
Grace Moon
My doodle, "Up in the Clouds," expresses a world in the sky. This new world is clean and fresh, and people are social and enlightened. Every person here is treated as family no matter who they are. The bright sun heats this ideal place with warmth, love, and brightens everyone's day.
Grace Moon
Canyon Middle School
Castro Valley, California
Second Thoughts?
Oh my, sitting outside this morning made me wonder, 'do I really really really want to sell this house we've called home for a bit over seven years? The backyard is so lush and green and we're so protected from neighbors with trees and shrubs. The birds are happy, the breeze was just enough to make me want to draw my legs up under me, and I thought of the places we've looked and nothing, nothing has come close to what we have here. It's still not too late. In fact~
I shared these very thoughts with John when he came in last night. I sat outside after the heat of the day abated yesterday and reveled in how blessed we are to have the backyard view we do. The neighbor across the brick wall got a water fountain for Mother's Day apparently and now I have the sound of water!! It's like having a creek on the back of our lot without the mosquitoes and snakes and frogs and brush!
Then he reminded me, 'Nance, we have dreams yet to make come true and we will find a house that we will love just like He led us to this one'. Is it not a most wonderful thing when the one you love shares your love for the Saviour? I remember that this man brought our daughters up in the nurture and words of God, he has prayed powerful and humbling prayers for them, he continued to praise Him through our trials and he knows we will continue to be led by His gracious Hand and His compassionate love ~ and I thank God for bringing him into my life that Sunday in February. So~
yes, we'll continue to watch for His plan for us to unfold. And until it does, I'll continue to bask in the beauty of my backyard, my swing, and the untold hours of time I've spent in conversations with Him there.
He is My Beloved, and I am His~
The last two days have been such sweet days with Johnny. There were moments of sadness for me Saturday, and he cried for me. There were moments of pain, and he hurt for me. There were moments of joy, and he laughed with me. I am so in love with this man, and he with me. As we were coming home Saturday, the memory of His garden kept coming to mind. How peaceful it is and that one day I will return. Although another's lies continue to widen the chasm I find myself at the brink of, He pulls me in and comforts me, reminding me of the Garden and the peace there. And it feels so good to know that one day it really won't matter~I am blessed, dear Saviour, to be yours, to call you King and I worship and adore you.
To top off a beautiful day yesterday, the couple that looked at the house Saturday placed an offer! And the ones that looked at it Sunday placed an offer! Two offers in one afternoon!! Both are being contemplated, one a bit more seriously than the other. Both are good offers and we are indeed thankful. Carol is so funny saying "we need to find ya'll a house!" and we've tried assuring her it doesn't matter to us. We can stay here, we can go into an apartment, we might find the right house, or maybe we'll build. It's so much fun just looking, dreaming, and wondering where He will lead next. You can rest assured, when we decide, I'll share it with you!
PS~Did any of you happen to sit outside at dusk this evening? It was so lush and green and serene outside. My wind chimes were making just the slightest bit of music, there's a mockingbird that sings each evening, and the heat had died down. Just a perfect time~
Weddings, Rest, & Real Estate~
The wedding was nice, the bride beautiful, the groom handsome, the father emotionally charged, most of the guests nice people to be around, the weather windy, windy, windy!!! But then, isn't it always this time of year on the Gulf Coast? I only took two pictures and decided to pack everything up and snuggle closer to John. The wind at 6:30 in the evening became cool and the sky began darkening with storms blowing in. One was already there.
We left afterwards and drove home knowing it would feel good to be on beloved ground and sleeping in our own bed. It feels good to rest today in His arms and hide in Johnny's love.
On another note, the house showed yesterday morning to a couple that had looked at it earlier in the week, and may make an offer! Another couple came this afternoon to take their second look and they are serious, too! Whoo Hoo!! While our house was being shown, we had a delicious lunch at Logan's, then drove around looking at homes and acreage for sale. We can't decide if we want to build or buy. That's the fun of all this. Carol {Carol Lemon Realty} is a good friend and met with us twice to open two homes for us to see. John had as much fun as I looking through the neighborhoods and dreaming~we just hate the packing up! BUT, since I don't plan to take everything with us, it'll be much easier. We hope.
It is so pretty outside and I spent some time in the swing reading today's paper and talking to my Lord. We don't always know why some act the way they do or make the choices they do, but we can rest assured that He is always in charge. My mother used to quote, "Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, I will repay." And I remember the garden, its beauty and peacefulness and everything else seems so minute~
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