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.