Happy New Years

I am not a big fan of New Years Eve, partying, drinking, and driving where you know others have been drinking is not my cup of tea. I have told my kids for years to stay wherever they are on New Years Eve.   However. I do love New Years Day. The first day of the year gives you a fresh start.  A new year, where you can start over and do better and be better than ever. I love early mornings, before you get out of bed , knowing that you have not sinned today .......yet..  I  try to start every  day by saying,"good  morning  Lord, thank you for this day, please  help me  to do your will , and to bless some one today.  I love the beginning of the month, when I gert a new journal, fresh new, clean white pages, no mistakes.  When we play tennis we say fresh before each new game.  Maybe it is like the Bible say, " Forgetting the past, I press toward the mark of the high calling of Jesus Christ my Savior."

Have a great year

Proverbs 31 the last one of the month

Here we are at the last day of the month and I am reading about the virtuous women.  I know that I have a long way to go to come close to the way she is described.  I take comfort in the fact that God does require me to be like her or any one else.  He just wants me to be the best Connie that I can be. So, for next year and the rest of my life I am going to strive to do just that, nothing more and nothing less.  Stop comparing yourself to others. or you may become vain or develop a complex according to who you choose.


Have a happy and save New years eve.  We will be sitting here by our campfire until late.....really late like maybe even 10:15 or 10:30.

My week by the numbers

Christmas is over and we really enjoyed having the family together for the Holidays.  It is great having Drew back home but he is a big boy and has his own agenda.  So, about the  time Sara left home, heading  to a party and then to Atlanta, we were packed and on the road again.

This is our week by the numbers
5 days and 5 nights in the same camp ground in a state forest in  central Florida
3 camping neighbor the first 3 nights....so quiet
33 camping neighbors for this weekend...looks like tent city around here
20 miles hiked so far this week
2 times we have been lost in the woods (don't tell the kids)
2 flea markets, so far, another one tomorrow morning  and more next week
2 Auctions..bought box deals and table deals.....Mark just found another for 3 p.m. tomorrow
9 boxes that we donated to a thrift store after sorting and pricing
8 hours that it took to price stuff today
37 christian books that I bought to read and to share with Mom and her friends
5 camp fires..every night
14 meals eaten outside on picnic tables
10 days to go on this working vacation.

Proverbs 30 favor from an awesome God

Proverbs 30 :4-5 describes our one and only God who is worthy of praise and worship. He is our creator and  and He is in control.  His name is way beyond every other name. His every word  is true and pure.  He protectors and shields  all who put their trust in him...

Proverbs 30: 7-9   Two favors I ask of God before I die..
1) remove from vanity , falsehood and lying
2)give me neither poverty or riches
give me just enough to satisfy my needs
Lest I be full and deny thee or
be poor and steal and violate God's name

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world : but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable  and perfect will of God  Romans 12:2

I really enjoyed Brother Wayne's message on Christmas day. He talked about the power of the good news to transform lives.  I have been thinking about that this week and this verse in Romans  came to mind. I can not think of a better way to transform my life than to transform my mind through the word.  That  is going to take more studying  of  His word  and applying it to my live daily. This happens to be another resolution that I plan to work on this year.

Romans 12:1

Romans 12:1  I beseech you therefore brethen, by the mercy of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

David Jeremiah  said that our inward and outer man is important because our physical effects the spiritual  and the spiritual effects the physical.  Our body is important because it is indwelled by the Holy Spirit and is a gift of God that He uses to do his will. Therefore we should take care of our body.  He said that we can choose to wear out, rust out or live out daily.  He suggest 3 rules for health and stress release.  Seems so simple.
1) regular exercise  walk daily.... in biblical times that was the major way of getting around.
2)eating right and no fad diets..there are dietary laws in the Bible that still work today.  Find what works for you
3) relaxation and escape...aka hobbies, sports, playtime, reading or what ever helps you chill out.  Nature happens to have two very good places to relax,  the beach and the mountains.  Get outside and rediscover nature.  This happens to be one of the resolutions that I have chosen for this year. Thanks to David Jeremiah's radio sermon and apology for any quotes or misquotes. I was listening while I was driving to Florida.

Think

Thinks about your thoughts...see if they are worth thinking....If not, don't dwell on them..instead think about something more positive.

Philippians 4:8  Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just. whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things lovely, whatsoever things are of good report ; if there be any virtue  and if there be any praise,  think on these things

Christmas day at FBC

We really enjoyed  the Christmas morning  service at First Baptist Church this year.  We had our two youngest adult kids  home and we were surrounded by families that I watched grow up here. Having the babies and children in the service was a bonus.

I took Brother Wayne's message , the Bass boys song,  the Bible and 4 radio  messages that I heard  on the way to central Florida  and wrote out 5 personal resolutions for 2012.

Happy New Years

Proverbs 28: paraphrase

When there is moral rot in  a nation, it's government is easy to topple.  But with honest, sensible leaders with integrity, wisdom, and discernment there is stability in the land.  Pray for our nation in 2012.

Hiking in central Florida

Woke up and decided to take a little hike.  When it was over, we had hiked 9.3 miles.  The first 3.3 miles in the sugar sands of Florida looking for the trail.  When Mark decides for us to start back hiking, he does not mess around.  We should sleep good tonight.

God bless America

God bless America is more than a song, it is my prayer for our country.  Pray that we turn back to God and trust Him to lead us.  Let us  follow the motto that is on our money,  In God we trust.

Knowledge

Temper your knowledge of the Word  with love, showing His love more than your knowledge..

Good news

Proverbs 25:25
-As cold water to a weary, thirsty, soul, so is Good News from a far country.

Good News

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given and the government shall be on His shoulder:  and His name shall be Wonderful,  Counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father , the  Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Celebrate the Good News today

Merry Christmas

Proverbs 24 Home

Home is the launching pad for children to become the adult that God wants them to be.

Proverbs 24:3 By wisdom a house (home)  is built and by  understanding,  it is established.
Proverbs 24:4 By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Proverbs 24:6 For by wise guidance....there is victory

It takes wisdom and understanding to turn a house into a home.  It takes love and knowledge to fill the rooms with the precious and pleasant memories, which is better than riches.

Have a wonderful Christmas full of love, laughter and great memories.

Dec 23 Family Love

Through a series of events this  season, I am reminded of  two things.
1)  Nothing can separate us from the love of God
2) Nothing can separate us from the love of our family

Fleetwood Christmas Wednesday 12/21/11

I love my family.  Sara got home about 2:30 and the festivities began.  She, Becca and Riley and myself started making cookies as soon as she wrapped and put gifts under the tree. Soon, Carrie and Phillip got here  and joined in the cookie show.  Olivia wakes and starts making cookies with Uncle Phillip.  Then,  Mark wakes up to a very loud cooking  kitchen.  Later, Drew is helping Olivia. Clint and Anna get here and take pictures of Olivia helping in the kitchen. Before, the last  cookies came out of the oven, Carrie and Sara started our Indian Supper.  The guys were sitting at the table making Lamb Ka bobs, kids were running in and out and Mark was building a fire in the pit.  It was wonderful chaos.  I was a little concerned about the girls' supper plans, ,but it turned out great.  Olivia and I even enjoyed our first lamb.   Finally time to give the kitchen a rest.  It had been working since early this morning.  We gathered in the den where I read "One Solitary Life" that Durwood reads to our Sunday School class every year.  Then, we all joined Olivia as she sang happy birthday to Jesus.  Time to open the gifts and laugh.  Becca and Riley handed out the gifts one at a time and we watched as each sibling "got the joke" that was their gift.  Years ago the adult kids realized  that none of needed anything. So, they decided to have fun for Christmas with  the  Dollar store being the store of choice. Every gift had a family story behind it, with each trying to buy the best/worst gift. Mark and I buy random stuff all year from all of our festivals and trips and I put them in a basket for all of the adult children. Drew is back home and we are thrilled.   His gift pulled at my heart string and made me laugh and then cry, .  It was so sweet.  Leaving a mess in the den, we all go out to pit and sit around the fire until the rain runs us in. We stayed  up too late.  I really enjoyed watching our kids enjoy each other. We hope that all of your families have a merry Christmas.

Proverbs 22....A good name

Proverbs 22:17,18,19 in the Living Bible

Listen to this wise advice-follow it closely-for it will do you good and you can pass it on to others.
Trust in the Lord........


Read
 Proverbs   22  A good name...........

Today is "grannies" Christmas

I  celebrate Christmas when I can get all of my family home.  This year, it looked like it was not going to happen. I am happy to say that it worked out for Sara to get home today before Carrie and her family leave tommorrow. So, today is Christmas at the Fleetwood house.  Which, according to Becca and Riley made last night Grannies'  Christmas Eve. Yesterday we picked all three red heads  to spend the night,  to give the parental units the night off,  to shop, pack or have a date night.  It was a beautiful day, so we played outside and took a walk and road around to look at Christmas lights at dusk after an early supper. We sang Christmas carols in the jeep with Olivia leading Jingle Bells.  Of course, we had to go see Miss Barbara on Annie Mcgee road.  She has the best display and a donation box to support Hospice.  When Becca was little, I would walk across the front yard and each display would tell the story of Jesus.  Last night, she took Olivia around and told her the story of Jesus using the same displays from yesteryear. We came home for apple cider and pop corn and early bed  because Granny and Olivia were tired.

This morning we got up early  and started making Christmas snacks for the day and to share with others.  Becca and Olivia made the Brownies with no help from Granny,  I made marshmellow treats using Peebles cereal because the look more like Christmas.  We made sausage and cheeseballs, a favorite with the guys. Olivia made sausage cylinders every shape and size.  I made up three batches of cookie dough using Mama Gibbs recipe to put in the fridge. They will be ready for Sara to make and decorate cookies with the red heads when she gets home...any time now. Mark cooked beef stroganoff  for lunch that we ate outside.  Then Mark, Olivia, Drew and I took an early nap.  My work is over.  The adult children are in charge of supper tonight.  Every year, we pick a different country for our Christmas supper. This year Carrie and Sara picked Indian. Perfect for two vegetarians to cook. After supper we will open silly gifts that they chose for each other to represent childhood memories. We plan to read "One Solitary life" that Durwood  Dominy  reads to our  Sunday school class every year. Got to go, Sara should be here in minute followed by all of her siblings. Have a Merry Christmas when ever you get to celebrate with your family

Happy and blessed

Proverbs 21:3 ,8b ,21...... God is more pleased  when we are just and fair than when we give him gifts.
He who pursues righteousness, kindness and mercy will find life and honor.
The conduct of the pure is right.

Matthew 5:6,7,8,.....Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God

Do you want to be happy during this season and all year long?  Our instruction books tells us how.  Read the  the beatitudes, which is the sermon on the mount by Jesus found in Matthew chapter 5. Replace the word blessed with the word happy as some versions do and you will have your life lesson on happiness and how to have a blessed life

Proverbs 20.......integrity

Proverbs 20:7-It is a wonderful heritage to children to have a just, honest father with integrity.
Proverbs 20:10-The a Lord hates every kind of cheating.
Proverbs 20:11-Even a child is known by doing, whether he is pure and right. (character counts)
Proverbs 20:13-Do not be overfond of sleep, lest you come to poverty.
Proverbs 20:14-Utterly worthless, says the buyer as he haggles over the price and then he brags about his bargain.
Proverbs 20:15-Good sense, knowledge and understanding is more valuable than precious jewels.
Proverbs 20:16-It is risky to make loans to strangers.
Proverbs 20:17-Some men enjoy cheating, but the cake they but with ill-gotten gain will turn to gravel in their mouth.
Proverbs 20:18-Every plan should begin with good advice and council.
Proverbs 20:21-A fortune gained quickly (by cheating) will not be blessed.
Proverbs 20:22-Do not repay evil for evil...let the Lord take care of the matter.
Proverbs 20:23-The Lord loathes all cheating and dishonesty.
Proverbs 20:24-Since the lord directs our steps, you do not have to understand everything along the way.
Proverbs 20:25-It is foolish  and rash to make a promise to the Lord
Proverbs 20:27- A man's conscience (Spirit) is the Lord's search light exposing his hidden motives.
Proverbs 20:29-The glory of the young man is his strength, the beauty and attractiveness of the old man is his grey hair and experience.
Proverbs 20:30- Punishment that hurts, chases evil from the heart.

Integrity is found all over the pages of proverbs.  Read to learn how we can live a life pleasing to Jesus as a birthday gift to him and so that we can have the abundant life

Lessons from proverbs 19 on kindness

Today , I  learned  couple of lessons from Proverbs 19 and a reminder about the man I married.
For the first 30 years of our marriage, I did most of  the cooking.  After retirement, Mark realized that he really loves to cook  which is great.  But sometimes it causes little disagreements in the kitchen.

Proverbs 19:12- A wise prudent man with good sense , restrains his anger.  It is to his credit that he over- looks an offense.
Mark is a wise man.  He will walk away before he gets angry and says something that hurts. It is to his credit that he over looks offenses

Proverbs 19:13b The quarreling and nagging  of a wife annoys  like a constant drip.
Proverbs  19:14b An prudent understanding wife is a gift from the Lord.
Lord, give me understanding and help me to know when to speak up and when it is better to let it go.

Proverbs 19:20- Hear instructions and be wise.
Proverbs 19:21-Many are the plans in the heart and mind of man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Proverbs 19: 23- Reverence for God gives life, happiness and protection.

I love the fact that God  uses his word to help us in our daily life when we take the time to study it.
I heard a sermon this week that said ,"this too comes from God".  Everything that God allows to come through the filter of his love is for our good and is a life lesson.

Proverbs 19:17 He who is kind to the poor, lends to the Lord and he will repay him for benevolent actions.
Proverbs 19:22-Kindness makes a man attractive. What is desired in a man is steadfast love and loyalty.
Ephesians 4:23 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.

Kindness was  the first thing that drew me to Mark. I tell girls to find a boyfriend who is kind to their mom and senior ladies, because some day they  will be that lady. I am that lady now and  Mark treats me so well.  I love to watch him as he shows kindness everyday as we travel .  I am so blessed..





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The hayride

Going to Aunt Dot's house for the Christmas hay ride was always one of the highlights of the kids  holiday season.  Yesterday, four generation of family and friends from  ages 2 to 82 gathered up in Adel at the farm. There was always plenty of  food and family, friends and fun.What a delight to see the next generation out in the cotton field together.  Fishing in the fish fed pond where every cast produces a fish,  making everyone a happy successful fisherman , with a little help from Mark and Drew was great.  Boards games came out, as well the same old outdoor games that we played as kids......, hide and seek, playing in the hay and chase.  The circle of hand holding  during the prayer kept growing as we kept finding kids to come to supper.  We all ate way too much great food sitting all over the house.  Then came the main event..  The hayride.  Bundle up, grab all the coats and blankets we can find.  Grab a spot on the tractor pulled hay trailer and settle in and wait for Uncle Virgil to crank up the tractor.  The singing began as he pulled away from the house.  A good singing voice is not required as long as you sing loud and remember some of the words.  There was actually three hay rides. I short one around the lake for the smallest children and a few adults.  The second one, the longest, for the older kids and a few brave adults.  The last one for the rest of the family. A good time was had by all.  We would like to thank Steve and Cyndi  Uncle Virgil and Aunt Dot inviting us to share in this wonderful holiday family tradition.

Virtuous woman example of how to handle the holidays Proverbs

Proverbs 18:22-   He who finds a wife ,finds a good thing.  She is a blessing from the Lord.
Proverbs 12:4--     A virtuous, excellent, woman of valor with strength of character is a joy and crown to her husband,  But she who acts disgracefully is  a shame and corrodes his strength and tears down everything he does.

Some how I knew  that I would not get out of proverbs with out dealing with the virtuous woman found in proverbs 31:10-31.  She is the woman that we would love to hate and hate to love.  She is also our example of how the please God and be a good wife, mom,  daughter, boss, sister and friend.  Well basically,  how to be the virtuous woman that we all strive to be.  Please read Proverbs 31:10-31 when you get a chance.  I just did and thought of my Mom.  She is a close as it gets.

The saying goes, when mama ain't happy, nobody is happy.  This is so true in family situations. We set the tone for the day for our family.  That is one reason that I have always tried to get up early and have a quiet time with the Lord.  Especially  when the kids were little.  Take of yourself the season so that you can take care of your family.  Enjoy your family.

Home for Christmas Proverbs

Christmas is the time that we throw large extended  family into one small house (home) and hope for the best.

Psalms 127:1  Except the  Lord build the house, (home). your labor is in vain.

With all the work that goes into preparing the house (home), remember, that without the Lord being in  the center,  it is all in vain.

Proverbs 17:1 Better is a morsel with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife
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Try to be the vessel for peace and joy and not strife and argument.

Proverbs 17:9, 14
 9-He who forgives an offense , seeks love, but he who brings up a matter and nags about it causes division.
14-It is hard to stop a quarrel once it starts, so don;t let it begin.

Forgive offences of the past and enjoy you time together.

Now for the best part of family gatherings

Psalms 127:3- Children are a legacy and heritage, a gift from God.  They are his reward.
Proverbs 17:6-Grandchildren are the crown of old age.

Enjoy your family this Christmas

Christmas plans

Proverbs 16:  1, 2, 9, 33b
1 - We can make plans, but the final outcome is in God's hands
2 - The ways of man is pure in his own eyes, but God weighs the spirit'
9 - A man makes plans, but the Lord directs his steps.
33b It is God who is in control

I have no control over anyone.  I use to think that I was in control when my kids were little.  I never realized  that I was a control freak until I lost control. The last few weeks, I have been trying to get everybody together for Christmas and driving myself and Mark crazy in the process. Finally Mark told me that he did not like the stress that it was causing and that it would only get worse. He told me to just let it happen.   Like the saying goes, let go and let God.

It is all going to work out......with out my help...imagine that.  When am I going to learn?

proverbs for family time during the holiday season Proverbs 15

Proverbs 15:1,  2, 4,  26b ,28      A soft answer turns away wrath but harsh words stir up anger.
The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish gushes forth with foolishness' 
Gentle, soothing,  wholesome words cause health and life, but griping and complaining bring discouragement and breaks the spirit.   The Lords delights in kind words.  The good and righteous heart and mind ponders the answer before speaking..  The mouth of the wicked pours out evil words (that hurt ).

Lord, forgive me for making everyone miserable when I do not get my own way.  Help to think before I speak. Put a guard on my mouth before I hurt the ones that I love.

In this time of family togetherness, stress can cause us to say things that we should not say.  Lord, please help my words be healing and not hurtful.

Proverbs for the season 14th

He who oppresses the poor insults his maker, but he who is kind to the needy, honors God.  Proverbs 14:31
Happy is those who are kind to the poor  Proverbs 14:21b.  In as much as you have done it to the least of these my brethen you have done it to me.Matthew 25:40b

In this season of giving gifts let us not forget those who are less fortunate .  It is a great way to give Jesus a birthday gift.

Becca decorated my house

     Last year I finally broke down and bought  "fake Christmas trees".  I am the only one that  liked having the real deal because of my memory of  hunting trees in the woods with family. So, I decided that if I was going to do it , I would go all the way.  I bought a white tree and a small silver tree that changed colors.  Becca called it magical.
     Becca set up the two trees while I looked for the decorations.  All that I could find was the large nativity  and the big white decorations that I bought in North Carolina last week. We put the white decorations on the white tree and red and white candy canes and wrapped it with a red tree scarf. The tree already had a red star on top. Becca went around the house finding angels to put under the tree with a pillow that said "I believe in angels and a glass brick wrapped with red ribbons to look like a present. We loved it.
     Next, we worked on the little silver table top tree. We found Christmas earrings that I bought in bulk and did not find until too late to sell this year.  We put them on the little tree.    Becca put the Nativity under the tree and said that Jesus was the present.  She found her birthday decoration and place it  beside  the tree because it is His birthday.  She put a Santa behind the Nativity because he worships Jesus too. Mark found a drift wood that looked like a cross and she leaned it against the tree trunk.
     Everything she did had a reason behind it and I loved the reason  behind everything she did.  My Christmas decoration look great.  But, more important than that....she gets it.. Jesus IS the reason for the season.  I never did find last years decorations......

Proverbs for the holidays

     Pride leads to arguments and contention, be humble, take advice and become wise.    Proverbs 13:10 LB  

     Self control means controlling the tongue, a quick retort can ruin everything.  Proverbs 13:3 LB

Remember these two verses while dealing with others during the holiday season.  Have a Merry Christmas.

Officially old

I am officially old. Today I walked into Crystal Pharmacy and behind the counter was Matthew, Robert and Kim. I watched every one of these babies grow and now they are taking care of me.

Veterans at the flea market

We stopped at a booth at a North Carolina flea market and bought some stuff from a Vietnam vet. After we thanked him for what he did for us and our country, we talked to him for a while. He had been in for quite a while and out for 20 years. He told us that he really missed it which surprised us until he said that you got real close to the people that you serve with and that he was still having trouble fitting into the real world. He mentioned getting into the selling antique glass business by mistake with some one that he met "at the place that you go when you get depressed. Soon, he realized that he loved the business and that he was good at it. Just then a WW II Vet walked slowly by and he ran around his counter and shook his hand and said, "now this is really the man". The man quietly told us that he was in Normandy on Omaha beach on D day and that the Lord had been with him that day. He said that he was 18 when he enlisted and that when he was 20 and wanted to marry over there, he had to get permission from the Army....and his mama. We Asked about his family and he had children, grand child and great children and great great grand children. I thought of all the the generations that would not have been born, if he had died that day. I asked if he had told them his story and he said that he had a notebook folder with the newspaper clippings , reports and information that surrounded that day in history. I wish that I had a tape recorder and could talk to him all after noon. Soon another Vietnam vet showed up and shook hands with our older gentleman. showing him all the respect that he deserves, the greatest generation. I told him that I hoped his family listened and understood. He told me that the problem that he sees today is lack the of discipline and respect. He told us that if he had come home and said that he got in trouble at school... after he picked himself off the floor, he would have been told to respect his teacher. He also seemed sad that we do not honor our vets by celebrating Veterans day or Memorial day. Mark and I felt honored being with 3 of our American hero in a flea market in the south. This is why we travel.

Holiday work week

Last Tuesday, Mark and Drew picked me up from bible study and headed to Savannah to take Drew home. We made it back this week just in time for the kids to eat supper Monday night and for me to make it to our last bible study this year. When we are working, we eat in the hotel, the R.v. or the van. We decided that we were taking December off, so this was a holiday-buying trip. We stayed in Myrtle Beach for two nights in resort hotels for unbelievable winter rates. We walked the beach and swam in indoor pools and relaxed in the Jaccuzi We watched the sun rise and set from our 21st floor room and kept the window open to listen to the waves. We tried to go to auctions, but never found a good one. So, we bought a lot of stuff one item at a time. We went to flea markets, thrift store and antique malls and yard sales in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Mark calls this grunging it out. We ate hotel breakfast and shopped right through lunch. Every night we found great places to eat. We ate appetizers in one place and another for our meal. We ate at a local, family own seafood place with a sweet waitress named Lisa. This place great decor including one of those signs with arrows that pointed in every direction including cities,the ocean, heaven and hell and great cook. We ate at a crab shack and then an Italian restaurant with an singer with a pure voice that we really enjoyed. We stopped by a raw oyster bar for Mark to eat raw oysters and sat next to people who knew Moultrie folks. We found a German place and ate what we ate when we were in Germany. We had Chinese food and Japanese sushi and on our last night we met his sister in Statesboro at a Greek restaurant attached to our hotel. It is a tough job, but someone has to do it.

November 30th

When we travel, we seldom know the date of the week or the date or even what city we are in. However last Wednesday, I knew that it was November the 30th when we checked into a South Carolina hotel because it was Clint's birthday. There was a bible open on the table. I picked it up and noticed that it was turned to proverbs 30..so I read it. The next morning, I asked the clerk if they did that on purpose and he said no, it must have just happened. Another God wick from God and a reminder to read proverbs daily according to what day of the week it is.

55

Today I turn 55 years old. I would like to thank every one that sent me messages and called to wish me a happy birthday. I did have a happy birthday. I started out by playing tennis in Thomasville. I practiced with the team today because I am to sub for the league tommorrow. Mark went with me and walked while we practiced. The team is blessed with a very good coach. The team welcomed me back with open arms even though we have travel so much, that this is the first time that I made a practice all year. We met a lady in Thomasville and sold her a whole set of dishes. Then I asked Mark to take me by Rayanns Christian book store. We ran into a very close friend that we have not seen in a very long time and visited with her in front of the store. We headed to Monticello which is where we have merchandise in a very cute store. We spent time with the owner and got a better idea of what she wants and got a check for items sold. We ate outside at a nice sandwich shop and then shopped around in local antique stores. Glenn and Barb called, so did my kids and the computer made that noise all day that said that I was receiving happy birthdays. We made it back to Thomasville where Mark talked Holiday Inn into letting me clean up and change clothes for my night out in Thomasville. Mark was so sweet that he would leave me until the girls showed up for our all chocolate night at Liams. Anna, Becca and Carrie joined me for this little culinary adventure. It was great spending time with my girls. Wish that Sara could have made it to make the night perfect. I had a very happy 55 birthday.

A little bit more

When Olivia wants more juice or milk, she looks at me sweetly and says she wants a little bit more, showing me with her fingers how much. At nap time or bed time she cuts her eyes at me and says that she wants to sit in my lap for just a little bit. She climbs in my lap and we cuddle.. sometimes she falls asleep in my lap. Sitting around the fire with granny and granddaddy, she likes to get a pillow and lay across both of our laps. Mark likes to say to her,"you are in the safest place you can be......Late at night or early in the morning when I first wake up, I love to spend time with God. Just a little bit of time, praying, praising him, thanking him, listening to him and feeling his love. Sometimes times I feel his love so strong that I feel like I have climbed into his lap...the safest place in the world. My prayer for you is that you feel his love tonight and in the morning, and every day. Don't just go to Him when you have a prayer list of wants. The next time that you have a little bit of time, just spent time with the one who loves you most.

typical Tuesday

Went to bible study and picked Olivia up from preschool. She went to our ladies lunch and then we picked up Becca and Riley. Grand daddy and Olivia took a nap, while the kids watched a movie. Next we went to dig sweet potatoes and squash, saw honey bees and went fishing. Olivia counted the potatoes as she picked them up and throw them in the box. She fished and picked up and dropped worms when they squirmed. They all played outside until supper time. Becca and Riley are so good with Olivia and she knows that she is just as big as there are. After supper, we did a fire in the pit and roasted marsh mellows. Then, Olivia "helped" me sweep and wash dishes. Becca and Olivia took a bath in the big tub. Mark and Riley stayed out side until bed time. Some how, we also managed to clean house and packed R.V. I love fall weather, no gnats, no mosquitoes and fall fun.

expo

Expo week is here. Expo is known for having all seasons in one week. Monday afternoon, we set up in shorts and summer weather. Tuesday, it rained all day. Wednesday, it cleared up and was very windy and cold. Who knows what tommorrow will bring. So, why do we come out here. To meet nice people and see stuff and to hear things like this, " does any one have a hog scrapper." Really, a hog scrapper, I've never even seen one....... and Bobby had one, for 2 dollars that he sold it to the elderly gentleman who is going to use it. So come out to Jimmy Allens Antique and storage and see what else we have out here to buy.

sign #2

Another sign that I saw on my last trip was on a pillow and it said, " love may be blind, but marriage is a real eye opener." It made me laugh and I bought the pillow. We were with my brother Glenn and his wife Lynn. Between us, we have been married 70 years. I really enjoyed watching my brother with his wife. All week they played a magical game that made her feel special. When was the last time that you made your spouse feel special

signs

I saw a sign on my trip to Mississippi that said, I'd rather be over 40 than pregnant. Now, I loved being pregnant and having my children. But for right now, I agree with that sign. Besides, my beautiful daughter-in-law just found out that we are going to have another grand daughter. Being a Granny is a lot of fun and easier on the body.

James

When we travel and Can not find a church, we listen to Dr Stanley. Today he is preaching on James. That is the bible study that we plan to do next. Once again, God confirms that this what we need to study. Ladies, watch out, I think that it is going to be a good one.

girlfriend

We started dating when we were very young and have been married a long time. We have been through a lot together..... births, deaths, mortgage, work and the responsibility of raising a family. Now, when we travel, I am his girl friend on one long date.

Sara is coming home

Sara is coming back from three months in Africa and we can not wait to see her. She and David should be back on Thursday. For three months, I had Wednesday marked on my calendar. I sure am glad that David's mom told me the right date. Years ago, when we were picking her and Aleia up from the first African adventure, we were at the airport a day early. It is hard read these tickets, it takes a day to get home and they lose a day. Pray for good weather and safe landing.

Atlanta Speedway

Mark and I got off the interstate and got lost looking for an Antique store. Mark realized that we were close to the Atlanta Speedway. He has been there a couple of times when Farm Bureau sponsored a car. He wanted me to see how big it was. We expected to see it from a distance behind a locked gate. To our surprise the gate was open , so we drove right into the race track area. We got out of the van and Mark showed me the pit, the racetrack, the arena and where all the tents set up. When we left, we saw by the sign that the next race was in 6 days, Labor day. We hit the only day when the gates was open for early arrivers, but before the crowds came. I enjoyed seeing it when it was not crowded.

soccer and tea party

Granddaddy is at soccer with Riley. Becca and Olivia made deviled eggs and are now having a tea party with bears in their room. I love having the little ones here. This is what we come home for.

New beds for all the babies

A couple of weeks ago we found bunk beds for Becca and Riley and they love them. Riley on the top and Becca on the bottom with a light so that she can read. Olivia has been sleeping with me and claims the guest room as hers. With Sara coming home, I needed a change. While in Tennessee this past weekend, we found small bed for Olivia. I surrounded it with Winnie the Pooh and other bears. Today, I picked up all three kids and tried out the beds for nap time. Olivia loves her bed. Becca and Riley laid down for naps with Olivia. Riley was able to stay still long enough for Olivia and Becca to go to sleep. Success... I hope it works a bedtime to night.

Texas supper in Tennessee

We had a busy weekend. When we finished work, we and found a good hotel in Tennessee surrounded by good places to eat. The hotel clerk gave us a coupon for the Texas road house within walking distance. A very good waitress suggested we split a ribeye steak covered with shrimp. While we ate the traditional peanuts on the table, she brought us the best rolls and cinnamon/butter ever. It was like eating dessert before supper. She then suggested loaded mash potatoes. When I told her that I loved the rolls, she put some in our to-go box for a mid night snack in our room. She even told me the best way to warm them up and keep them soft and moist. We do not eat out much. When we do, we appreciate good food and good service.

We met Steve

Mark was outside loading the van and checking the water in the radiator. He came back into the motel room and told me to come out and meet this guy. That is when I met Steve and his little dog, Blessing. He had a huge wooden cross with him. He is from Texas and heading toward New York in time for 911. He did not ask for any thing. We gave him a little. He is going from city to city and stopping and talking to people and praying for the families of the 911 victims. He gave me the privilege of reading off the names for the day and praying with him. He has a blog, fb/crosscarryamerica. We talked about books that we have read and people that we met traveling and then he was gone.

Tennessee flea market girl

We were at an out door flea market in Tennessee, when Mark signaled for me to look. That is when I saw the girl. She had a tattoo on her back that said #1 B****. I told Mark that her mother must be proud. Either she has a pretty bad attitude or she can not see her own back and some one convinced her that it said #1 Queen.

Shuffle board

Out-doors sales are hot in August, especially in central Florida. So, we closed the booth around 2:30 and headed to a R.V. resort nearby. It had a swimming pool, nice showers, and shuffle board. We took a nap and read and swam, ate pizza for supper and played shuffle board and swam again. The last time that we went to a R.V. resort, we played bingo with very serious seniors with their own blotters and bingo bags...with special rules, and games and snacks. So. if the kids ever catch us and put us in a R.V. retirement center, we will be ready.

another work day

Left town and headed to Madison. We got to Mom's just in time for pound cake coming out of the oven. I Went with Mom to her best friend Miss Vercie to discuss antiques and and talk about setting up in Madison this fall. We ate BBQ and veggies with Mom and two of my brothers families. Mom fixed pancakes for breakfast and sent us on our way to Central Florida. We stopped at several yard sales and stores on the way down, after all, this is a work day. We went to the beach and played in the waves and took a nap and walked to a local seafood place and ate all appetizers at half price because it was still early. Then we walked the beach in the rain. When it started raining harder, we borrowed a tent and chairs left on the beach. We were the only ones on the beach and it was very relaxing. While walking back to the R.V., we saw a beautiful rainbow over the sea.

Kentucky baby dip

A Kentucky man came by our booth and we thanked him for his service and commented on how healthy he looked. He told us this story about himself. He was born in June. His Daddy liked to drink Kentucky Ale or maybe moonshine. When he was 6 months old, in January, he was crying. So, his Daddy took him outside with his mother chasing him asking what he was doing. Daddy said that he was going to cure him or killed him as he began to dip him in to the icy creek, down in the hollow (hollar) behind the barn. He has not been sick one day in his long life.

international pool

We loved our Sweet Water motel with it's indoor pool. Every night after supper, we would take a long walk and head to the pool to cool off and relax. The first night we saw a German couple and a young couple in love.. The next night we met a local couple with a cute little boy, a couple from New york and a mother daughter from China. We talked to bikers that drove their Harleys for 9 hours to get to our little motel in Tennessee. There was two groups of bikers, the first set, just regular folks like us, the others partyed hearty all night and had the cops come to quiet them down. We have met very young tattooed daddy's with their precious little ones. Whole families playing in the water together. Senior couples who stay in the chairs all day and watch the little ones. We spent one night with four boys that like to play cannon ball with us as their target and Mark as their judge of who splashed the highest and jump best. We met a senior that told us of his glory days as a foot ball player and coach. We met his young grandson that he is raising because his Mom is in jail. The boy was Becca's age and we talked about favorite things. He seem to enjoy the attention. We see young couples in love. We watch babies that jump with no fear and other who just can not do it, but want to while daddy promises to catch. We love Hotel pools for the exercise, the cooling off and also the people we meet.

28 hour vacation with the red heads

When we decided to take all the grandbabies on a mini vacation, I had already planned to play doubles early Wednesday morning. So, Mark dropped me off, ran errands and picked up the kids. We left Moultrie around 10;00 and got to Big Grannies around 11:15. We ate lunch with Mom and cousins and Glenn and Lynn. The kids went out to play on the fort playground. The weather was pleasant for the first time in months, So, Mom and I sat and talked and watched the kids play, and swing and play fetch with Zeke, which help Olivia to stop saying. "no dog, don't bite." Zeke is a good dog and is good with little ones. Then we went inside a let the kids make their own parfaits out of three kinds of pudding and crushed cookies and whipped peanut butter and cool whip. Each child created their own dessert by layering favorite flavors and topping with cool whip and then showing them off to Mark before eating. Even Olivia had to show off her special dessert made of vanilla pudding. We left Mom's around 2;30 and headed toward the beach with sleeping kids in the back seat. The first beach we came to was Bald Point in a state park. It took Olivia a little time to get in the water. Soon, she was counting 1,2 go, and running in to make a splash, splash. Next we headed to Alligator point, with better a beach and better waves and no drop off. Riley could go a long way and still be waist deep. Olivia grabbed my hand, said cmon and pointed at Riley which meant, come on, lets go out there where Riley is. I was very surprised when she would go shoulder high and spit and sputter when the waves came, but kept going. She learn to holler,"big wave" so that we could help her jump over the waves. We had a great beach trip and headed to the Best Western. It had a great little pool, great breakfast, and a court yard with a dolphin fountain that Olivia loved. Mark went and got supper for a picnic in the gazebo. The kids and I headed to the pool. Olivia started out slow, sitting on the top step, while Becca and Riley swam. They are swimming so well that I did not have to worry about them. By the time granddaddy got back, Olivia was jumping to me from the side of the pool and splashing her big cousins. Mark really enjoyed swimming with the kids. We got back to room and took hot baths and change and ate supper outside. Olivia enjoyed being able to walk from table to fountain to room and back to table splashing every puddle along the way, Becca is such a good big sister and big cousin. She was a great helper. Riley makes Olivia laugh. They are a joy. Back in the room Olivia eats chips with Granddaddy. Lights out. Early morning breakfast and a good morning swim. Mark, Becca and Riley taught Olivia to blow bubbles in the water. Soon, she was blowing bubbles and kicking feet. She is a fast learning and will be swimming soon. We packed bags, checked out, and headed to Tallahassee Museum. The kids saw, the red caboose that I saw when I was a kid, and the old school house. We visited the plantation house and the slave house , the farm, the commissary, the local wild animal zoo and the farm animals. Then went to the hands-on science and nature exhibit, and the play ground. We were hot and tired, so, we had a picnic in the car on the way home. Becca and Olivia slept on the way home and we made it back to Moultrie by 2;00, making it a 28 hour vacation. We dropped Olivia off in her car seat still asleep. I wonder if she woke up at home and thought that she she dreamed the whole day away. We enjoyed it so much that we plan to do it again. We often tell Becca and Riley that there is nothing that they can do to make us stop loving them, but if they were not so well behaved, we would not take them off like we do. They make us want to be with them as often as possible.

Sweet water Tennessee

We got an e-mail from our new associate in Sweet water Tennessee. I thought that we had an interesting weekend, with a rainy yard sale and weddings and kids and grandchildren. But her weekend top us by far. She started the note by saying business started out really well, until they heard the loud speaker say for every one to exit the building. It seems, some one plugged in a frayed wire and the flames reached 12 foot high on the other side of the in-door flea market. Jan said that she ignored it, until her son came and got her and told her it was time to get out. The managers of the market did a remarkable job and they were able to open back up the next day. Soon after the doors opened a man had a heart attack right by the main entrance and they had to call an ambulance. Later a vendor, two booths down from ours, had a shop lifter who pulled a knife and was taken down by store manager Brain. The police came and took him away. Every thing was calm for a while, when they suddenly felt the building shake. Apparently, a car ran into the building next to our booth. She said that sells were great between incidents and they could not wait for us to come back. I can not wait either....I think.

Let's sale some stuff

We are having a yard sale. My sister and brother in law are coming for a last visit before moving to Ecuador and will help us sell. We will be selling vintage glass like Fenton, Westmorland, and Carnival from Ohio and Tennessee and Kentucky. We will also be selling a lot of stuff from the antique store that we bought out last month. We will have Five dollar tables in the front yard. Riley will be selling stuff off our one dollar table and Becca will be sell our jewelry. We took a load to Ochlocknee to be sold at L&L Auction Friday night. We will have Jan selling stuff for us at a flea market in Spring Water Tennessee and Drew took a load to sell in Savannah. Maybe, if every one does a good job, we will be able to go on another shopping trip. After all, as we all know, we love to travel.

Olivia's sleeping game

Went to early church and them had kids over for big lunch. Miss Olivia in her 2 year old wisdom decided a great way to get attention was to pretend sleep. That is not an unusual for little ones that want to be carried into house from car and snuggle a little longer. But Olivia, being Clint's daughter, with his stubborn streak, lasted almost an hour with her eyes closed. A little smile came one her face when she realized how much attention she was getting. She walked in her sleep with her hands up in the air for Uncle Drew to lead her around. She gave hugs and kisses and cuddled in my arms with her eyes shut. She even kept her eyes closed when Becca and Riley came. She kept her eyes closed while she drank milk and ate lunch. She just smiled sweetly with her eyes closed. She finnaly opened her eyes when the cousins got her into the play room. She had accomplished what she wanted. She had all of her adults trying everthing to get her to open her eyes. She enjoyed her game and I think that she won.

35 years ago today

Today is our Anniversary. We talked about it last week, while we were traveling around Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky (etc). I told Mark that I wanted to spend time at the house and see the kids and grand kids. We had a very unsuccessful yard sale this weekend, because of rain. We will try again next week. Drew came home for the Jetter Wedding. He is really enjoying being with his friends for this joyous celebration. Carrie and Phillip; Clint and Anna are at the Adcock-Hall wedding. The rain has stopped and the weather should be perfect for these two weddings. My prayer is that both weddings go well. But, more important than that, my hope is that these young couples having a long and wonderful marriage full of love and happiness. We are home with our grandkids and will have the kids over for lunch after church tomorrow. Of course, our Sara will not be here, she and David are climbing Kilimojora and should reach the summit this week. I am blessed to be married to my best friend for life. I hope that we have many more years to love each other and our families and to travel and enjoy every day that God gives us.

yard sale

Yard sale at 2945 Kendallwood church road. Friday 15th, and Saturday 16th from 8 a.m. until. We have over 100 pieces of Fenton, depression glass ,Murano glass, cookie jars, cast iron, vases, old tools, green boopie glasses, pitchers, pictures, misc items and a whole long table of $1.00 stuff from an antique store going out of business. Come see what we found in Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, and North Georgia.

You know that you are a traveler of a certain age when...

You know that you are a traveler of a certain age when, you wake up and do not know which way to go to find the bathroom. You do now where your glasses are or where your medicine is that you have to take first thing in the morning. You do know what town you are in or even what state. You do not know where you going that day or what you are going to do and do not even care. You do not know where you will sleep tonight. You do not know what time it is because you do not know what time zone you are in. You do not know what you will have for breakfast until you go and check out the breakfast bar. You do know know who you will meet or where you will go today or what you will see that day. But you are ready for whatever adventure finds you. You are not sure when you walk outside what kind of weather you will face, if the van will crank or if you will have a flat tire. What ever comes your way , you just take it and deal with it and keep going. You make plans. but if they do not work out, you change plans and just go with the flow. If you want the comforts of home, then just stay home. But, if you are ready for an adventure and a new challenge to face every day, then get up and go where ever the road takes and trust God to lead and take care of you every day. Have a wonderful day.

We are home

We had a flat tire. We hit major traffic jam. Our van broke down, turning 4 hours in Kentucky into four days. We ran out of clean clothes. We ran out money so many times that the Atm rejected our card. We broke our gps and almost ran out of medicine. We ate very little for breakfast and lunch, sometimes skipping lunch, because we were shopping. We worked 25 hours unpacking, pricing and repacking boxes of stuff. We almost hit 2 turkeys crossing the road, I know, it sound like a bad joke. We smelled several dead skunks on the road.............And we had the time of our life. We saw unbelievable nature. God's beautiful world spread out before us. We saw rolling hills and huge mountains and lakes and rivers and streams. We went over mountains and through mountains and over bridges and under train tracks. We saw horses galloping in the fields and through water. Small creatures that scurried away so fast that we could not tell what they were, maybe ground hogs or hedge hogs. We saw deer and birds and cows and alpaca, goats and sheep. We had picnics, grilled out, had gourmet microwave feast in hotels. We walked and hiked and swam and did water aerobics and shopped a lot. We met a lot of really nice people, helped a few and talked (imagine that ,I found someone to talk to). I read my bible and two books, texted Carrie crazy pictures and talked to Mom on the phone.. We had business meetings in the pool and talked about our kids and grandbabies. We planned future trips and found a great place to set up for the world's longest yard sale. We talked about our past, present and future. We spent a lot of time together. We prayed, listen to christian radio,and country and soft rock and a lot of sermons on T.V. We looked for Hotels, exits, parks,yard sales, thrift stores, antique malls and auctions. We crossed the Ohio river several times and followed it. We fell more in love with each other, with God, and with people. People that may be different, but who are basically good and kind and willing to help fellow travelers....We love traveling

broke down in Kentucky

The van has been acting up all week and finally died between Corbin and London in Kentucky. We were able to limp it to a weigh station for a safe place to pull off the interstate. AAA was called and then we took a walk around the station while we waited for the wrecker. He took us to a repair shop. While we were waiting we took another walk and ran into a Yard sale and bought 2 sterling silver rings and a bracelet and a book for me to read. We spent the time waiting in a local hotel pricing a van full of merchandise. We loaded and priced and reloaded the van in 25 hours and that includes 6 hours of sleep. Then we swam and relaxed. they decided that we had to go a Dodge dealership. they could not get to it for 2 or 3 days, so, we rented a car and drove to hwy 127 to look for a place to set up for the world longest yard sale. We had given up on doing that in Tennessee because the hotels triple prices during that time. We found a lady with one of those barn-store with plenty of out door shelters and a R,V, that we can rent for her for the week. It is going to cost us a little over 100 dollars to stay and set up. That is less than one night in the cheapest hotel that week. The we found a hotel and ate and shopped and swam. We decided to shop antique stores and head to Indianna. So, we cross the Ohio river one more time. We went through beautiful country side, spent one more night on the road and went to an Antique auction and bought some Moreno glass. We got up early , drove back to Corbin, got our van back and headed south. The full van is fuller. We hope to make the next 500 miles with out any events

Sherman's home town

We were at a yard sale in Mansfield. They noticed our accent, imagine that, and asked us where we were from. We get that a lot when we travel. It is a great conversation started. When we told her that we were from Georgia, she said that she hated to tell us who was born in her home town..Sherman. I told her that would not be going to his museum, but I would not hold it against her town. I am so glad that we are now a United country with more in common than differences. I love the U.S.A.

scenic byway

We finished the Ohio Antique show and headed toward Tennessee on interstate. We made it through Cincinnati and into Kentucky on Highway 75. We were making good time and then we ran in to a major traffic jam. According to the radio it was caused by over 30 wrecks,stopping tracking on 75 from both directions. So, we got off at the next exit and used the gps a to go through the beautiful scenic Kentucky byway. We went through horse country where we saw horses playing in the field. They were running through a water hole made by the rain. We came over a hill and on the right, we saw was a castle. I stopped and took a picture and then we found the rolling hills that made me fall in love with Kentucky. Some times it just pays to take the scenic route even if it takes longer.

typical work day

A typical work day....Get up early and either take a long walk or swim in the hotel pool. Go eat breakfast, load up van and go to work. That means, either going to a flea market or a thrift store or an antique mall. I read my bible while Mark drives. For lunch, we eat a sandwich at a park or in the van. Then we look for places to shop like yards sales, while we are looking for our next hotel. We check in to a hotel and I cook a hotel supper from our food box. Then we go for a walk or swim in a pool and do water aerobics. Then Mark researches the next day on the computer, while I get things ready for tomorrow and read and write in my journal. Travels Treasurers... the treasure is the travel, meeting people, seeing new places and being together.

July 4th at lake

We started the day with a flat tire and worked hard at the Auction that was 4 auctions in one. When we finished work, we decided to go to Lake Erie, which was 60 miles away. I put my feet in the water, picked up a few rocks and ate an ice cream. Then we went over to a fishing pier and watched some men and a little boy fish. They offered us fish, we declined and thanked them and walked over to the restaurant. We ate walleye, and perch, While sitting out side, watching the boats, and feeling the breeze. I got chill bumps on July 4th. Then, we drove to our hotel and swam in an indoor pool until bed time.

Mark helps others

We spent 3 hours and 45 minutes in an antique store in Raven Ohio. Mark took the right side and I took the left side as we walked down the aisles. We would call each other when we saw something we liked and wanted to buy. We both had a basket that we kept filling up and taking to the counter for the ladies to wrap and put in boxes. Vendors and store owners would call us over to their booths promising us a discount. Mark went out to the van to get our tax Id number just as a lady was trying to come into the door. Of course, Mark stopped and helped her bring all of her stuff into the mall. Later, the lady told me that she had just stopped and closed her eyes because realized that she could not do it all by herself. Mark became her God wink, a little help at just the right time meant a lot to her. I can not tell you how many time I look up and find Mark helping others. Maybe you can bless some one today.

Flat tire

What do you do when you get a flat tire in Ohio. #1 Call AAA #2 swim and get in the hot tub while you wait #3 Go to Walmart to fix tire #4 shop while we wait #5 Go to auction at 10:00 A.M. Mark drove over 500 miles and I drove the last 30 miles and drove into a yard by a barn for a yard sale a got a 4 inch iron rod in the tire. Once again God took care of us. We could have been out in the country or had a blow out instead of being in the Holiday Inn parking lot.

Traveling to Tennessee and beyond

We love the rolling hills of Tennessee. Around every corner, a little blessing, a gift from a loving God ..James 1:17. We take turns telling each other to look at that, and that is gorgeous and wow and other intelligent things like that. We have gone over bridges and under RR trestles and beside babbling brooks and water falls. We love the churches and the barns and the fields and the farms and the wild flowers. I am surrounded by Christmas trees. The cow, the sheep, the Alpacas, the deer, the goats , the horses are around every curve. There a lot of curves and roller coaster hill that make you lose your stomach and make you hope that the road is still there when you reach the peak and start to go down. We listened to praise and worship songs and gospel and hear three sermons, one that was so Patriotic that I want to order it for my Veterans. I am studying the Gospels and am in Matthew reading the Sermon on the Mount as I drive through the mountains. We do not like to miss church on Sundays, but we are trying to get north. We travel through Virginia and west Virginia and make it all the way to Ohio. Not bad for a Sunday drive.

4 auctions in one building

Went to an Auction in Ohio and was surprised at all the cars. When we got inside there was an auction in every corner of the room. You could but coins, or Fenton or furniture or box lots, old tools, old dolls, linen and all kind of things. We had to get two numbers so that we could both bid at the same time. A good time was had by all. We love Ohio

Missed a call

I have been home most of the day. I went out side to get Mark off the lawn mower so we could go up town and when I came in the phone was blinking. I missed a call from Sara who is in Tanzania. I am really disappointed. I love her and miss her mom

storm supper

We are watching the clouds and listening to the storm warnings. This exit has one motel. We pulled in the drive with the winds blowing hard. We get into the hotel just as the rain begins. I tell Mark that I can make supper from what is left in the food box. Mark ask me what I am going to cook on, so I turn around realize no fridge or microwave in this room. I grab my XL gadget and make grilled ham and cheese out of the last ham and bun and colby jack cheese. I cook tomato covered with mozzerello cheese. Then I take the last of the peaches, stale bread, butter and milk and sugar and make a very good peach cobbler that cooks while we eat. Mark loved supper. We saved money, used up food that would have been thrown and stayed out of the storm.

water melon

When we are at a flea market, we always takes turns checking out the other vendors. When we were in Sweet water Tennessee, I walked by a vendor with water melon samples. When I picked it up, the man told me that he had picked that water melon in Tifton Georgia just yesterday. I could not help but laugh, I had gone all the way to Tennessee to eat water melon grown 20 miles from my house. He told me that his grandmother lives in Chula which is between Moultrie and Tifton.

dad and DAD

Father's day our preacher talked about Dad being the being the word with the most powerful influence on generations, whether present or not present; positive or negative. The next week, Clint gave me a bible study on God's love, with a chapter called dad and DAD. So, I have had my Daddy on my mind this week. Daddy was not perfect, but was a strong influence on who I am today. I loved him and knew with out a doubt that he loved me. He provided for his family and supported his his kids. We all knew that he wanted to spend time with us. He was handsome with great eyes with laugh lines. As long as he was alive, I felt loved and beautiful and special. I could be dirty from working in tobacco or 8 months pregnant with dirty bare feet and he thought that I looked beautiful and would tell me. He gave me my name, Connie was the name of a pretty girl from his high school days. Our name Waller meant something in our little home town. I could go anywhere in Madison and let them know Ed was my daddy and could get anything I wanted. Gas was free, all I had to do was sign his name. Daddy was our protector, at night we would call him, if we heard a mouse, or mosquito any thing that went bump in the night. He could give magic blue sleeping water, if we could not sleep. He was our provider, when he came home, He was a debit insurance agent and when he came in the house with a pocket full of money, I thought we were rich. He had a green thumb, and could grow enough in a small garden to supply food for all of us and to share with others. He loved to sit down at the supper table and say that the salt and pepper was the only thing not provided by the garden. Speaking of that table. it was round oak with claw feet and we would sit around that table and talk for a long time after supper was over. Daddy loved spending time with his kids, playing games, fishing, yard work, the garden, going to granny's farm. He never missed our sporting events. He was our number one cheerleader , sometimes a little too loud, we could hear him from the field. He was the president of the booster club and I was allowed to go with him and hand out programs. He was soft ball coach and I was his bat girl, any excuse to spend time together. That had to be hard with so many kids. But I knew that I was daddy;s little girl. He knew me so well that he told he told me when I was just 16 that I was in love with Mark. Daddy gave us great memories like Dekle beach, front yard foot ball, spontaneous trips. He got me my first job and found my first car. We all knew that he and mom loved each other. He affirmed my marriage by telling me that Mark and reminded him of he and mom. My daddy prepared the way for me to be able to have a relationship with my Abba Dad. He is my heavenly Father and He is perfect. He gave me life. I love Him and he gives me unconditional love. He provides all my needs. He is my strength and redeemer. It amazes me that the God of the universe wants to spend time with me. He makes life a great adventure. My dad has been gone for a long time and I still miss him. If your daddy is still here on earth give him a hug and tell him that you love him.

change plans

Thanks to a good friend, we had the opportunity to buy out all the smalls from an antique store going out of business. So, we decided to head north to get out of the heat, scout out a place to set up for the longest yard sale and to sale stuff...merchandise. We did a flea market for 3or 4 hours, made some money and headed north on highway 127. We quickly learned two things, 1) Freedom II can not climb these hills and 2) the local hotels triple the price of a room the week of the big yard sale. So, we gave up and looked for something else to do. I found a flea market an hour away in Sweet Water Tenn. I talked to a nice lady who told me they average 15,000-20,000 customers and that the hotel next to it gave special rates to vendors (half off normal rate). We checked into a nice hotel with free buffet breakfast and supper and an in-door pool and spa. We were forced to stay 3 days and make money in the morning, swim in the afternoons, and shop at local antique stores. It is a tough job, but someone has to do it.

We found rain

It is raining in North Ga, north Alabama and Tennessee. We walked down town in the rain in honor of south Georgia and hope that it will send rain to our area. Please continue praying for rain

Riley's summer hair cut

Becca is a camp and Olivia's parents are busy so, today I picked up my youngest two grands. I love to hear Olivia laugh all the way home while big cousin entertains her. Speaking of Riley, he got a great haircut today. It all started with Riley once again going to bed with a mouth full of chewing gum. When asked how much gum, his answer was, "it was mighty tasty". I love kids.

the family garden

We got to Mom's and ate lunch and and started shelling peas. Finished that and started canning tomatoes. Then we ate water melon and started supper. Country fried steak and corn bread and the rest was veggies out of the garden. From garden to table in a short time. Glenn and Lynn came and ate supper. Nephew Phillip came by with his family for us to meet his forth baby, Zane. Heidi and her kids worked with the horses. Mom and I played Quiddler until bed time. Next morning. we had pan cakes and sausage. Then Mark, my brother Jimmy and three of his grandchildren went to the garden. When Mom and I finished packing, feeding the birds and watering the flowers, I took water out to the workers. Cute little Nadia was in pigtails planting her little pink seeds. Her big brother was helping. Scotty and Jimmy were tilling and Mark was weeding and sweating. He smiled and said that he wishes that he could have a garden, but we are not home enough. So, Mark will have to come to Mom's to get his gardening bug fix

Lazy days of summer

Best laid plans.......It is hot, so Mark and I scheduled only 2 festivals for this summer. Our plans were to travel north, buy stuff and relax. One phone call changed all that. We accidently bought out all of the glass from a antique store going out of business. In the past two weeks we have boxed up and hauled and unloaded and priced over 3,502 items. We would price from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. We have also baby sat the three red heads, driven to Atlanta to see our youngest off to Africa, came back in time for a sushi party at Clint's house. We had a birthday party for Carrie and a dinner party at our house for out of town friends. We have played tennis and golf and put up 60 ears of corn and 4 bushels of peas with the help of a 2 year old. We worked a flea market and planned a selling trip for up north. We also planned another M.O.S.T. yard sale for the 2nd week in August. We went to Tifton to add stuff to the booth and took down a booth in Moultrie and added two storage unit at Allen antiques. Yesterday I celebrated surviving all this by getting my hair cut and getting a pedicure. Today , we go see Mom. I loved Mark's retirement. We can't wait to see what the rest of the summer brings.

Happy Birthday Carrie

Happy birthday Carrie. I love you and am so proud of the wonderful wife, Mom, sister, Aunt, niece, friend, and accomplished business women that the world sees. But I still see my creative, kind of crazy, caring, cuddly, cute, little Care-bear. Have a blessed day full of joy and love.

shopping spree and golf for me

We spent a week doing Vacation Bible School and we really enjoyed all of the kids. Mark abd I were leaders/guides for the 3rd grade. We spent the weekend with all of our kids and grandkids. I love spending time with them and watching them enjoy each other.Then it was time to go back to work. So, we left on a Tuesday and went shopping in Albany on the way to Lake Blackshere, where Mark took a nap and I read. Then we went to the golf course and hit a lot of range balls. and hit a few balls on the way back to camp. It was a 2 or 3 mile walk both ways to get to the course from camp ground. We cooked a late supper and went to bed tired after camp fire went out. The next day we walked back to the course and hit more balls and walked back for well deserved showers ,broke camp and went shopping again in Vienna and Mc Rae. We passed a lot of other towns that were to small to have anything. We got to Little Omogee state park and set up camp and went swimming and back to camp for early supper . Then we walked to golf course and played my first 7 real holes of golf. I got a bogey on my first hole. I hit the green on my first shot on a par three. I hit good shots and bad shots. We walked and only took 7 iron 3 wood and putter. Back to camp and sat out side until bed time. I hit more golf balls in two days than the rest of my life. Next day , we got up and priced items and went on a nature hike. On the way to Alma for blueberry festival we stopped by Hazelhurst thrift store and bought a lot of good stuff. Time to go to work and it is hot, now I know why we do not do too many festivals in the summer months.

Having all my kids home for the weekend

We had all of our kids home for the weekend. This is the first time that Drew has been home since he moved to Savannah in January and the last time that Sara will be home before going back to Africa in two weeks. Saturday we made a big pot of chicken and dumplings and a non-meat dish and home-made bread pudding. They came in all morning, First Drew, the one that came they furthest, then Clint and his family and just behind them Carrie and her family. We all sat around and talked and waited for our baby girl. She drove up and we sat down and ate. One of my favorite moments was rocking Olivia to sleep while I listened to the kids sitting around the table talking about their child hood adventures. The guys went fishing, Sara and Carrie went along to sit and watch and read. Soon, the girls were back and we played the game of Life with Becca. I played and cooked supper at the same time, coming back to the table for my turn. I ended up winning. Every one gathered back up for a huge supper. We enjoyed all of the desserts provided by Anna, homemade cookies and two pies. We had another huge meal for Sunday dinner and then the kids got into the old picture and laugh and talked about 80's haircuts and young looking parents, and the changes in our house from remodeling over the years. Nap time. It seemed like every one took turns taking naps all over the house. Of course, we watched Olivia charm her Uncle and Aunts, Riley was doing target practice with Uncle Drew and his Daddy. The shot a whole through a quarter, which Riley plans to put on a chain. The weekend went way to fast. Drew had to leave today to get back to work early Monday. Sara will be leaving early Monday morning. I love having all our kids home. I love my family

Psalms 143:8

K.J. Psalms 143:8 Cause me to hear they lovingkindness int the morning for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Read this verse in several versions of the bible this morning. It is a great way to start your day.

set a guard over my mouth

Try to read your bible early in the day to get your daily assignment. In Psalms 141 and 142 I read phrases like: I cry out to the Lord with my voice, I lifted up my voice and give ear to my voice. Psalms 141:3 says set a guard over my mouth o Lord and keep watch over the door of my lips. Verse four says to take away my inclination for evil. The rest of the chapter... I am in constant prayer against evil deeds. Listen to the word of the Lord, it is true and will help you escape the traps set by the enemy. Let the righteous rebuke me. It is kindness and medicine for our soul, don't let me refuse it. Today, I watched Joyce Meyers right after reading this and she was talking about positive words and the effect that they have on us. We need to pay attention to what we say. Words are a powerful weapon. God wants to use our mouth, but so does the the devil. I plan to try to watch what I say and to make a journal of positive verses in the bible to memorize and to quote. We tend to believe what we hear ourself say. So, if you talk negative about ourself.. I can not, I will never...I am so.. we believe it. So, for today try to quote verses like Philipians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Have a positive day

Happy Mother's day weekend

My Mother's day started Friday afternoon when Becca and Riley came to spend the night with us at Allen's warehouse in the R.V. Clint and Anna and Olivia came out and we grilled hamburgers and had a outdoor picnic. Saturday morning we had the M.O.S.T. yard sale. Rebecca and Riley stayed and helped sell stuff. Anna and Olivia had a tent set up close to ours. So I got to spend all day watching our three grandchildren play while we worked. It was a good day and we went home tired, so we ate left overs watched mindless T.V. and went to bed early. Sunday morning we got to go to the early service and Sunday School and then met Carrie and Phillip and the kids at there house. Carrie and I wanted to go on a hike for mother's day. We decided to go to Enigma to a place called Paradise to hike. We went through Tifton and picked up a chicken meal at Churches fried chicken and had a picnic over looking one of the many lakes that we would see. Sara called about the time we started to hike. She sounded great, full of plans, for Africa and moving and visiting friends. We hiked for two and a half to three hours, surrounded by beautiful nature, birds, ducks, and more lakes than I have seen. There were unusual flowers,lily pads, minnows, a gopher in a hole and one dead(I think ) snake. Mark carried the back pack full of water to share when we stopped in the shade to rest. We a a few complaints from the youngest members of the party about being to tired to walk. But, we did not take pity on the young legs when we are over 50 and ready to keep going. But, they were justly rewarded for their endurance with ice cream from Dairy cream on the way home. When we dropped them off at the house, Mark mentioned that he was going to grill steaks and asked if they would join us. We stopped by Harvey's and I called Mom to wish her a happy Mother's day while we picked out steak and veggies. So, we had an impromptu dinner party and invited Clint and Anna. They were able to come even though Olivia was sick. She got feeling better, but we kept her inside while the guys grilled and sat around fire and talked. Drew called to wish me a happy mother's day. Maybe I have learned something. I worried and fretted and planned for weeks to try to organize every one for Easter weekend. It finally worked out but I was almost to exhausted from worrying to enjoy it. This weekend I was so busy working on the yard sale that I almost forgot about Mother's day and It turned out to be a special weekend. Happy mother's day weekend to you

the C word

There are a lot of C words that I love: Carrie, Clint, cute,ice Cream, cameo, cradle, cake. But , there is one C word that I hate..cancer. Three years ago this week,I lost my big brother Hugh to cancer after a long battle and it still hurts. Years before that I watched my wonderful mother- in-law show us how to die with grace and dignity after suffering for years and never complaining. I lost my Aunt Elaine and my cousin Lynn and some friends to this terrible disease. My other brother and I have the scars to show for our brush with this enemy. I do not know any one who has not been effected by cancer. This weekend , we will be out at Spence field in front of Allen's warehouse. Come by and meet some of the members of M.O.S.T. Moultrie Oncology Support Team. Thank them for what they do and maybe even leave a donation in honor of a loved one that has battled or is battling this disease. There will be door prizes, snacks, and stuff to buy. Have a great weekend.

M.O.S.T. yard sale this weekend

Early Saturday morning come out to Jimmy Allen warehouses and find your treasure. We will have a drawing for door prizes. Come on out to buy or sale. Ten dollar donation to our local Moultrie Oncology Support Team will get you a space to make a little money and help a good cause. Call me if you have any questions 891-5209

Golfing in the rain

After one day of hitting balls in the pine trees, we decided that I was ready for the real thing. We went to a state park that had a golf course. When we got there, we found a note on the door that indicated that the course and range was closed because of weather. The young man said that he was leaving, but he did not care what we did. This was my chance to play on a real golf course. We took a wedge, a wood and a putter and played golf, walking. We got soaked and had to run for cover a few times. I actually got to the green twice in two or three strokes. We had a great time and I felt like a real golfer. Mark is a good teacher and very patient with me. I would love to play again, but I don't really play well enough to justify the fee.

Camp ground church

After supper I felt like walking to the lake, Mark was tired so, I walked by myself and prayed. I heard children laughing and headed toward them and saw people in a sheltered picnic area and felt drawn. I walked up and heard a lady giving a testimony in sing heard bible and turning to Hebrews. I glanzed around and saw people with tears in thier eyes. Next to me was a small trailer with FBC on the back and new that I walked up on a Baptist reteat of some type. After staying for prayer I walked away quietly and ran into to children and and grandmom coming back from the restroom.. I spoke to the little ones and asked her about the retreat. She said they did this twice a year and that the testamony that I had missed was about , a preacher and his wife in Alabama that hid in the church with a few more people right before the Tornado hit and that the staircase was the only left. I heard on the radio on the way here that 61 tornados hit yesterday and today. We need to pray for all the ones who suffered lost.

Easter lunch that lasted all week

Easter Sunday we had all the kids home except Drew. We now have three that are not eating meat. So, for lunch we grilled boneless skinless chicken for the meat eaters. We also cooked fried sweet potatoes, sweet potato souffle, elite peas, squash and onions, asparagus soup, collard greens, cabbage, sliced tomatoes, tomato gravy, broccoli and cheese corn bread. rolls, rice, potato au gratin, and deviled eggs made out of easter eggs. If any one left home hungry, it was their own fault. It was a great family day. When they left, we were left with a lot of veggie left overs. So, we used them all week to make different meals out of the same veggies. With the left over sweet potatoes, I made sweet potato bread and sweet potato oat meal for breakfast and sweet potato cookies. We took all of the veggies and added them to the asparagus soup to make veggie soup. The next day we took all of the veggies out of the broth and mixed it with cornmeal and flour and egg and made veggie croquettes. The next day we put the squash and potato au gratin together and made a good tasting casserole. Later, we took the left over chicken and rice and made fried rice for supper with soy sauce.I think that we finally finished using the veggies Thursday and we did not waste any food. We are a cheap date

Yikes, hitting golf balls

Mark added golf to our routine today. We must have hit 100 balls into the pine trees. I hit some decent shots, some bad shots, some even worse shots. I even hit a few good shots. I need to find golf gloves because I seem to be trying to get blisters on both hands.

new routine

We have started Mark's second year of retirement. So, we have started a new routine at home. Up early, bible study and Joyce Meyers, and breakfast. Then we go for a hike in the pecan orchard, woods and/or cabbage patch. When we get back home we do whatever work that needs to be done for the house or the business, followed by a light lunch and nap for Mark and reading for me. Mark has started drinking coffee in the after noon. Then we go play tennis and then ride our bikes. After showers, we relax outside around the pit and talk , then come in to fix supper. I don't know how long this will last, but we are enjoying it for now. Of course, all this goes out the window when the babies come, but it is worth it to get baby hugs.

after school at grand parents

Becca and Riley got to the house after school. Mark and Riley went fishing, while Becca and I made oatmeal cookies. Then we made a camp fire in the "new' fire pit that Mark made in our sitting area to keep mosquitoes away. Becca and Riley used fire sticks to draw on wood. Then we went inside and made individual home made pizzas. Becca took a 30 minutes bath in the Jacuzzi tub while Riley watched swamp people with Granddaddy. Then a bed time snack and in bed by 9:20. Blue berry pancakes and ham for breakfast and on to school for CRCT test.

Jesus loves me

Joyce Meyers did a whole sermon today to basically say one thing that we all need to hear and believe. "Jesus loves me this I know, for the bible tells me so."

Life Spring youth program

We really enjoyed the youth program at life spring tonight. Clint and Anna put a lot of work into it. The greatest story ever told was portrayed beautifully by the music, video, the reading of scripture and of course the wonderful youth. Thank you for reminding us what this season is all about. We are very proud of the work you two do and the lives that you effect with your ministry.

m.o.s.t.

We have a wonderful organization here in Moultrie. The name says it all, Moultrie oncology support team, M.O.S.T. I do not know any one who has not been effected by cancer. My brother Hugh died,three years ago May 4th. My other brother Glenn and I have both dealt with Melanoma. We lost my Mother-in-law, my aunt a cousin and friends to this terrible disease. M.O.S.T. is a group that supports those who have cancer and their families in Colquitt county. We have come up with a fun way to help this worthy cause. A Spring cleaning yard sale to be held on May 7th at Jimmy Allen's Antique and storage at Spence field. Come join us to buy or sale. Ten dollars will get you a space to set up and sale. A percentage of the sales from the storage unit will go to M.O.S.T. Come find your treasures.

trail blazers

When you are hiking in a state park, one of the things that make it nice and safe is trail blazers. Some one has come before you and marked the trees with different colors to match the map that you receive when you check in to the park. When you are hiking, it is nice to remember that some one is coming behind. Make sure that you take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but tracks. Another way that you can help those who may come later is to clean off trail as you hike. Especially after a storm. We usually have walking sticks with us and it is easy to toss small branches to the side with your stick. Mark moves the big obstacles out of the way and I move the small ones. Reminds me of raising our kids. I took care of daily little problems that popped up but, when there was a big obstacle that the kids faced,they knew that Daddy could handle it. They still know that Dad is there for them . While I was walking I thought of the trail blazers in my life. The ones who came before me. My Mom taught me through her actions how to take care of others. Lewis Demott taught me about loving Jesus. He was my spirit mentor. Mrs Robbie Greene taught me the importance of teaching the Bible to children. My mother-in-law taught me how to live and die with grace and dignity. She was a hard working lady. My Daddy taught me how to live life to the fullest and how to be spontaneous. I learned so much from Sunday school teachers, preachers, school teachers, my family and friends about life. We all have some one that came before us blazing trails and some one that is coming behind us. Try daily to be a good trail blazers.

We are tree huggers

Sara, your parents are finally tree huggers. We went hiking in a State park and saw pines trees so large that we tried to see if we could put our arms around it. We stood on either side of the tree and reached around and could barely touch each others fingers. That is a big old pine tree. Mark likes to say just imagine , this tree was standing when the Indians lived here. That is not to hard to imagine when you are hiking Kolomoki Indian mound state park.

a good way to start you day

Ham and cheese omelets, toast and coffee on a picnic table while watching the fog rise over the lake and the birds singing . Thank you Lord for another day. That is what I hear Mark say ever day since retirement.

killed at Kolomoki

Climbing Kolomoki mound just about killed me. I have climbed temples in Tikka, 300 steps to the Redeemer in Rio and many castles in Europe. But, climbing to the top just about killed me. We made the climb just after we had rode our bike up and down hills, mostly up hill. Why can't I find a place where I can just ride down hill. The we decided to take a nice hike to rest from the hard bike ride. Well, it was a very beautiful hiking trail, mostly up hill on slippery leaves. Then we got back on the bikes to head back to camp. That is when Mark decided that it was a good time to ride to the mound and climb up to the top. I know this is his birthday week but I think that I am getting older and his is getting younger.

lost in the woods.....less than 2 miles from home

Over the years Mark and I have been lost in many places. We have had some of our best time times wandering around lost in paradise, When you haver a full tank of gas and plenty of food and water and plenty of day light, being lost is an adventure. However when it is hot and you are tired and running out of daylight and you know the mosquitoes are coming out, it not so much fun. Tuesday was Marks bithday so, we went to Tifton and bought new walking shoes with Mom's birthday money. When we got home Mark said he wanted to take a long walk after his nap and to wear long pants. Mark wore his new walking shoes and they got very dirty. We started our walk through the pecan orchard as usual, but them we struck out into the woods. Mark had his GPS with him . We walked through briers and thick woods with branches grabbing my clothes and knocking off my hat. We walked past ponds and a cabbage patch and over one creek bed with a small waterfall. When we turned around to return home, the sun was directly behind us. When we got to a certain point Mark asked me if I knew the way home and I pointed in to correct direction, but wondered out loud where this other path went. Big mistake, for the rest of the hike, we were trying to get back across the creek that looked more like a river at every turn. We would put down logs and walk across, just to find another branch that we had to cross. We saw parts of the area that we had never seen before The brush was much thicker and it was getting late and the mosquitoes were coming out. When we finally made it home, Mark look at the GPS and said that we were never more than 1.8 miles from home. We were so close and yet so far from home and safety. It reminded me of what the preacher said Sunday about the two thieves on the cross, One one them made it home to safety that very day. The other was so close to the one that could give him every thing that he needed and yet was so far. Mr. Lewis Demott use to say th the distance from salvation and being lost was 12 inches. That is difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge and asking Jesus to come into the your heart. Head knowledge is not enough . How about you?

festival in Homerville

After camping for two days, we headed to Homerville for a festival. When we got there, the ladies were very helpful and told us that we could camp next to our booth. That made it it nice , so that we could go a head and set up Friday night. We set up our booth with Becca's help while Riley met all the kids running around. We finished our booth and walked around to meet the other venders. Riley talked the bounce slide people into letting him try out their bounce slide and bounce house.When every one left, we fed the fish in the pond, road bikes all around the empty parking lot and the track around the football field. Riley even convinced his granddaddy to use the tire cover to have one more camp fire. We had a picnic right there at our booth. Just before bed we took one more bike ride around the lake by moon light. Next morning, we ate ham and cheese omelets and hot chocolate. Becca sold jewelry and sold more than we did. Riley decided that he wanted to do the Homerville idol singing competition. So, he came and got me to give permission and the ladies were very sweet to him. He sang his song and played borrowed drums. He had everyone clapping and cheering. He got a tee shirt for third place. Festivals are very interesting, some better than others. A lot of work are put into them. I think the kids enjoy going with us. I feel bad that I let Becca get burnt and that Riley had to protect granddaddy 's bike. We got home and ordered pizza, because we were tired. Thanks Becca and Riley for a great weekend.

Happy Birthday Mark

Mark is not big on birthdays, so, I am calling this the first anniversary of his retirement. We have had a great year. We have traveled around buying ans selling stuff. We have met a lot of interesting people and seen a lot of beautiful places. God has blessed us with many mini blessings.

taking kids camping

Picked kids up and headed to mom's house for a visit and lunch. I told her not to go to a lot of trouble for lunch. So of course we ate meatballs, okra, cream corn, peas, sweet potatoes, sweet tea, cornbread, rice, and freshly made pound cake. The big table was full of food and family to eat together and visit. Becca and Riley ate and ran out to the fort to play with the cousins. Mid afternoon we headed to Swanee River State Park. We set up camp. Then we took a long walk, while the kids road their bikes on the trail. We had to stop every few minutes to climb trees, look at the river and stand around while they road up and down sink holes. We had camp food, camp fires, roasted marsh mellows, played cards, rode bikes, read, took naps, ate snacks, and explored historical places. We met other campers and went with them to the river to play on rafts and swim in the river near the boat ramp. We saw all kind of trees, including one that was cut down by beavers. We had time to talk to the kids and listen to these incredible young people in our lives. They are growing up so fast. I hope that they do not out grow to soon.

legacy on a grave head stone

We were in a family cemetary in a state park reading head stones. This one read 1847. She died at 23 leaving a seven month old baby. Four hours before she died, she told her family and friends that she was happy and would see them in heaven. Then the head stone read, " a glorious death." Precious in the sight of God is the death of one of his saints. Blessed are those who die in the Lord. Over hundred and fifty years after her death, her life is a testimony to all who read about her. I read another head stone in the same family cemetery that said: Our Mother's virtues which are many are written on the hearts of her children who placed this simple marker here. What about us, what do we want written on our head stone.

Hotel clerks

She is young and beautiful with long brown hair. She is behind the counter as we come in to check in to the Holiday Inn Express. We tell her what we do and that we will be bring boxes in to the room. She gladly gives us a down stairs room and a buggy to help bring in bags and boxes. She says that our retirement sounds awesome. Mark shows her a few things on the computer, He over hears her tell someone that her husband is in Afganistan. We tell her that we are going to an auction and she says she wishes that she could go with us. On the way to the auction we looked for somewhere to eat and finally found a BBQ place next to the Auction. The food was great, the place was family owned and charming. A man was playing a keyboard the whole time, beautiful songs one after the other... Gospel, Soulful, Dixie and Classical music.When we left for the auction we forgot our to-go box. The owner came to the auction and brought it to us with a surprise inside, home made cookies. The auction was good and we bought a lot of things for the Spring festivals. When we get back to the hotel, we gave our clerk a little bunny that we bought, and ask her what her about her husband. His name is Jack and he has been gone since September and will be back sometime in April or May. I promise to pray for him. She gave me milk to go with my cookies from the BBQ place. I may never see her again, but she touched our life. The last Motel that we stayed in was just inside South Carolina and we had picked up a hotel coupon book at the welcome station to present for a saving. Mark walked in and asked for a down stairs nonsmoking room with two Queen size beds. The clerk said that they did not have a down stairs room like that. Mark walked out and back in just in time to hear the clerk talking about him, saying can you believe what he asked for using a coupon. Well, we kind of thought that Hotels want you to use the coupons that they leave at welcome stations. We would have left, if we were so tired and pushed for time The man realized that Mark heard him and tried to make excuses. What a contrast between Hotel experiences. Businesses need to pay attention to who they put in front of the public to represent their companies.

Carolina auctions

After the wedding we headed north to find auctions. Day one we found three auctions in South Carolina. The first called Big daddy auction, the next was held in an old mill. We drove 30 more miles and found the third auction We stayed until bed time and bought stuff... I mean treasures. Day two, we found three auctions in North Carolina. We went to our first whole sale auction for dealers at noon, with boxes coming in on a conveyor belt. Slow start, so we left and found another whole sale auction that started at 3:00. We stayed for a little while and bought a few items. We headed to the last auction for the day and stayed until almost 11;00 and bought some more stuff... I mean treasures. Day three, we find a flea market and antique store and bought so more stuff...I mean treasures. We had the best hamburger with pimento cheese in it and on it from a local diner with a very busy waitress. We checked in to a hotel and went to check out auction. We were disappointed to find out that we were on the wrong night. the new stuff night and not the antique night. So, we leave and go back and price and repack all our stuff... I means treasures. We realized that we were in Tim Tuckers area. So we went by for a visit. We need to go see our old Farm Bureau buddies every chance we get while we travel. We leave his office in a very cold rain and head to our next auction that starts at 11:00 and lasted until 3:00. It was very fast paced and loud with no time to eat, talk or even go to the bathroom. Mark bid while I wrapped and took notes. We bought a lot of stuff.. I mean treasures. The van is getting full but or stomaches were very empty, so, we head to a Tokyo express and eat at 4:00. Checked into a hotel and head to another auction. This one is so different, it is set up with tables and chairs, very social, very friendly with home made cake and nachos and cheese. We bought some stuff and I mean cheap junk and new stuff. We almost gave up and left when they brought up 4 good pieces and we bought all of them. The next morning , we got up and priced our stuff... I mean treasure,s and headed to another auction. Too many left bids and furniture, so leave and find another good antique store and buy more stuff.. treasures. The van is really full, may be time to head home. Instead, we spent the day buying stuff, I mean treasures at antique stores to over-stuff our already stuffed van. Then we go to one more auction. The next morning we head to a flea market to sell our lower end stuff to make more room. We stay 2 hours and sell the rest of the table to a dealer to sell and we head to Mark's sister for a relaxing night, good food and a good visit.