Country Charm

FRESH PINEAPPLE....and a new gadget......

2012-01-23T19:41:00.009-05:00

I am linking up to 'Your Cozy Home Party' hosted every Tuesday by Shannon at Cozy Home Scenes. Check out her blog for more great 'cozy home' posts!

Nothing is better in the dead of winter than fresh pineapple...

My husband rooted tops of other pineapples by placing the tops in soil....

A new gaget, at least to me, is a pretty red pineapple corer...very easy to use....perfect slices every time....

Bon Appetit!

Edited to add: During the winter the plants are moved into the green house.

Let them eat cake!

2012-01-06T09:57:00.000-05:00

Would you care for a slice of coconut cake?

This one takes about 10 minutes to make.

First you find a plastic salad mold at a thrift store for 25 cents....next brush on my friend, Elmer....then sprinkle liberally with bagged Christmas snow.
Voila!
A beautiful Coconut Cake...with absolutely NO calories!

Wishing you a blessed Christmas1

2011-12-22T08:29:00.001-05:00

As we are in the season of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ I wish you a blessed Christmas....

The Reason For The Season:

Blessings to you and yours...Betty

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.....

2011-11-23T22:38:00.000-05:00

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving....

We have so much to be thankful for...

Thank you Lord for your blessings on us....

Some of my favorite 'punkins'............

2011-10-18T16:23:00.001-05:00

Recently, we were in Madison and enjoyed a trip to 'The Pumpkin Patch'.

Ellie, John and Alexander had fun selecting 'just the perfect pumpkin'.

Needless to say, they're three of my favorite 'punkins'!

Ellie, John and Alexander

Alexander

John

Happy October to every one!!!!!!

Signs of fall around our home...

2011-10-05T12:37:00.002-05:00

A few signs of fall around our

home...cooler weather, the farm machinery humming around the country side, the white cotton fields ready for harvesting, peanuts plowed up waiting to be picked for lots of my favorite food...crunchy peanut butter!

BTW...I've known for sometime that someone is following me and you can see that someone in the third picture down. She steps on the scales behind me when I weigh adding additional pounds...she saps my energy when I'm not paying attention and many other things I'm sure she's responsible for...do you have such a person in your home?

Happy Fall YALL! GOD BLESS!

Remembering 9/11............Tenth Anniversary

2011-09-06T16:24:00.000-05:00

CONTINUE TO FLY HIGH AMERICAN FLAG

My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends who lost so much on 9/11, 2001...
In New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania...

Families who lost moms, dads, brothers, sisters, children, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins and beloved friends...

They have not been forgotten nor replaced in the hearts of those who loved them dearly.

God bless you...

Family of celebrities.......

2011-08-15T10:10:00.000-05:00

When the sun hits your eye

like a big piece of pie

that's Amore.....oophs...wrong

celestial body.....

When we take our family to the beach we just want a family picture. This particular year we had to make pictures before a couple of people needed to leave. Lots of complaints of sun in their eyes. Well, Mam (that's me) was prepared. I had a bag of sunglasses!

Rooster and Chicken Party...over at Sheila's Note Song Blog

2011-08-08T18:27:00.000-05:00

Sheila, over at Note Songs, is hosting a 'Rooster and Chicken' party(Tuesday)....hurry on over to see lots of 'chicks and roosters.....

Photo by Erin's Artistic Expressions

Grandson, Alexander,and a pet chicken, just 'a swingin'...to see the entire episode go here.

Now on to the ones who don't swing....they just mostly hang or sit quietly.....

My friend from first grade, Jackie, gave me this platter several years ago...his name is 'Chanticleer'...he watches me as I cook....when I cook!

This are miniature and perch on the shelves holding pewter.....

Mr. and Mrs. Cluck cookie jars...

I have no clue where the gray line came from....

Another cock-a-doodle-do....

A gift from a friend many years ago.....

The two pictures framed alike are cut from wallpaper border, another gift......

I painted the large oil painting of the handsome strutter in the center years ago...

When my friend, Jackie, was relocating several years ago and was downsizing she asked me to please take these rooster dishes. They are in the guest house kitchen.

A rooster 'smell gooder'.....

A rooster, no I think it's Henny Penny that sits in the den on the television cabinet....Well, now my husband says it may a rooster...

An acrylic rooster board below...

Thanks for visiting with me....

Egg Whites For Burns........

2011-08-04T09:26:00.003-05:00

     Hope we never need to have need for this method
    but good to know.


BURNS

A young man sprinkling his lawn and bushes with pesticides wanted to check the contents of the barrel to see how much pesticide remained in it. He raised the cover and lit his lighter; the vapors inflamed and engulfed him. He jumped from his truck, screaming. His neighbor came out of her house with a dozen eggs, yelling: "bring me some eggs!" She broke them, separating the whites from the yolks. The neighbor woman helped her to apply the whites on the young man's face. When the ambulance arrived and when the EMTs saw the young man, they asked who had done this. Everyone pointed to the lady in charge. They congratulated her and said: "You have saved his face." By the end of the summer, the young man brought the lady a bouquet of roses to thank her. His face was like a baby's skin.
Healing Miracle for burns:
Keep in mind this treatment of burns which is included in teaching beginner fireman this method. First aid consists to spraying cold water on the affected area until the heat is reduced and stops burning the layers of skin. Then, spread egg whites on the affected are.
One woman burned a large part of her hand with boiling water. In spite of the pain, she ran cold faucet water on her hand, separated 2 egg white from the yolks, beat them slightly and dipped her hand in the solution. The whites then dried and formed a protective layer.
She later learned that the egg white is a natural collagen and continued during at least one hour to apply layer upon layer of beaten egg white. By afternoon she no longer felt any pain and the next day there was hardly a trace of the burn. 10 days later, no trace was left at all and her skin had regained its normal color. The burned area was totally regenerated thanks to the collagen in the egg whites, a placenta full of vitamins.
This information could be helpful to everyone: Please pass it on.
Isn't it amazing the natural blessings available to us?

Vase of Pictures.....

2011-07-28T16:02:00.001-05:00

Sometimes we won't take the time to drag out albums to peruse so I've taken a mixture of old and new pictures, placed them in a pretty flower pot, and set them on a side table in the den. Family and friends enjoy looking at them.

They can be changed often....

Our friends from Wales, Marion and John and members of their congregation

( Marion in black/red jacket-John in back of her)

Amy's wedding picture----postcard from Egypt from Joules (Marion's daughter)

New Daddy, Edward, with unhappy daughter Melinda...I have one of Amy in the same unhappy pose......

My Daddy, two brothers, two sisters and a double first cousin...I came along many years later.
Wouldn't that be a valuable car today???

Happy Fourth of July, 2011....

2011-07-01T20:59:00.012-05:00

Wishing everyone a blessed, happy and safe Fourth of July as we celebrate our

Nation's birthday!

Praying that we once again will be 'one nation under God.'

Creative Grandkids

2011-05-27T19:08:00.004-05:00

This is what my grandchildren do in their spare time during the summer. What do yours do? :)

Legend of Prisonero Isle Trailer from Erin O. on Vimeo.

Remembering Princess Di's Wedding Day....Prince William's Wedding Day

2011-04-28T21:02:00.012-05:00

My sweet husband ordered two Princess Di engagement rings...one for me and one for my dear English friend, Marion....we knew the engagement and wedding of Prince William would be a very important event in the lives of the English people. I've always had a penchant for the English, their customs, their culture, their authors......their way of life....and of course, their English gardens.

Several years ago, I found a cup celebrating the marriage of Lady Diana Spencer

and the Prince of Wales......

This was years before the marriage breakup.......

I also have a 1984 Life magazine with the story of Prince William's birth.......

The little boy did grow up to be a handsome prince but the story wasn't always the happy

fairytale that should have been.....divorce and his beloved mother's death.......

Best Wishes for a long and very happy marriage to his

Princess Catherine.....however, to me she'll always
be Princess Kate.................
_____________________________________________________________
While one side of the world celebrates joy and the Royal Wedding, our side of the world in the southern United States has suffered untold agony due to the many tornadoes....the death toll has reached over 200 and will undoubtedly rise higher.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones, the injured, loss of homes, schools, hospitals, churches, etc. When you petition our Heavenly Father, please remember to pray for the hurting here....Thank you!

Happy Easter.......Jesus Is Risen...as He said....

2011-04-20T20:53:00.003-05:00

He is not here...for.He is risen as He said .......Matt.28:6

HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH!

So ready to see these plants in bloom once again....

2011-02-15T15:04:00.013-05:00

I am so ready for SPRINGTIME! It has been a long, cold, windy winter and I yearn for warmer weather, don't you?

Today is a beautiful, warm day...my two youngest grandsons, John, age 7 and Alexander, age almost five, and I picked up limbs and debris from around the yard. Then we had lemonade. Alexander wanted a slice of lemon on the edge of the glass...he's seen this in pictures. We discussed tatooes, handsome snakes, Loch Ness Monster, beer and other interesting subjects that tiptoe across young grandson's minds....our favorite memories of our family beach trips together.

These are a few pictures of flowers that I look forward to seeing bloom again in the not too far distant future:

The walk way to the back yard......

Edge of one of two urns as you enter the walkway.....

Daylily with gold picotee edging....

Hollyhocks are one of my most favorite flowers.....

Yarrow....blurred picture....

Geranium, Lobelia and Bacopia.....

Blackwatch Hollyhock.....I bought these heirloom seed years ago when we visited Middleton Plantation plant shop out from Charleston.

New Dawn roses on an arbor....Eden Roses are on the opposite side... both are prolific

bloomers.

Do you have favorite flowers in your garden?

A New Look For 2011.....

2011-01-06T16:59:00.009-05:00

How do you like my new look? Granddaughter, Erin, our computer whiz, gave me a new look for 2011....

If you would like a make-over, visit her over at Erin's Artistic Expressions....she's on the side bar....

Praying that 2011 will be a blessed year...I want to have a closer walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. What would you like?

The new header shows preparations being made for a 'Backyard Garden Graduation Reception' for Erin, her twin sister, Elisabeth, on their graduation from high school two years ago....my, how time does fly.....

A Christmas Story...as told by George

2010-12-21T21:39:00.005-05:00

Wishing you and yours a blessed CHRISTmas as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ!
HE is the REASON FOR THE SEASON......

This is a wonderful story. I think you all will enjoy.

The Filling Station

The old man sat in his gas station on a cold Christmas Eve.He hadn't been anywhere in years since his wife had passed away.He had no decorations, no tree, and no lights. It was just another day to him. He didn't hate Christmas, just couldn't find a reason to celebrate. There were no children in his life. His wife had gone.He was sitting there looking at the snow that had been falling for the last hour and wondering what it was all about when the door opened and a homeless man stepped through. Instead of throwing the man out, George, Old George as he was known by his customers, told the man to come and sit by the space heater and warm-up."Thank you, but I don't mean to intrude," said the stranger. "I see you're busy. I'll just go""Not without something hot in your belly," George turned and opened a wide mouth Thermos and handed it to the stranger. "It ain't much, but it's hot and tasty. Stew. Made it myself. When you're done there's coffee and it's fresh."Just at that moment he heard the "ding" of the driveway bell. "Excuse me, be right back," George said.There in the driveway was an old 53 Chevy. Steam was rolling out of the front. The driver was panicked."Mister can you help me!" said the driver with a deep Spanish accent. "My wife is with child and my car is broken."George opened the hood. It was bad. The block looked cracked from the cold; the car was dead. "You ain't going in this thing," George said as he turned away."But mister, please help...."The door of the office closed behind George as he went in. George went to the office wall and got the keys to his old truck, and went back outside. He walked around the building and opened the garage, started the truck and drove it around to where the couple was waiting."Here, you can borrow my truck," he said.. "She ain't the best thing you ever looked at, but she runs real good."George helped put the woman in the truck and watched as it sped off into the night. George turned and walked back inside the office."Glad I loaned em the truck. Their tires were shot too. That 'ol truck has brand new tires… "George thought he was talking to the stranger, but the man had gone. The thermos was on the desk, empty with a used coffee cup beside it."Well, at least he got something in his belly," George thought. George went back outside to see if the old Chevy would start. It cranked slowly, but it started. He pulled it into the garage where the truck had been. He thought he would tinker with it for something to do. Christmas Eve meant no customers. He discovered the block hadn't cracked, it was just the bottom hose on the radiator."Well, I can fix this," he said to himself. So he put a new one on. "Those tires ain't gonna get 'em through the winter either." He took the snow treads off of his wife's old Lincoln. They were like new and he wasn't going to drive the car.As he was working he heard a shot being fired. He ran outside and beside a police car an officer lay on the cold ground. Bleeding from the left shoulder, the officer moaned, "Help me." George helped the officer inside as he remembered the training he had received in the Army as a medic. He knew the wound needed attention."Pressure to stop the bleeding," he thought. The laundry company had been there that morning and had left clean shop towels. He used those and duct tape to bind the wound."Hey, they say duct tape can fix anythin'," he said, trying to make the policeman feel at ease. "Something for pain," George thought. All he had was the pills he used for his back. "These ought to work." He put some water in a cup and gave the policeman the pills."You hang in there. I'm going to get you an ambulance." George said, but the phone was dead. "Maybe I can get one of your buddies on that there talk box out in your police car."He went out only to find that a bullet had gone into the dashboard destroying the two way radio. He went back in to find the policeman sitting up."Thanks," said the officer. "You could have left me there. The guy that shot me is still in the area."George sat down beside him. "I would never leave an injured man in the Army and I ain't gonna leave you." George pulled back the bandage to check for bleeding. "Looks worse than what it is. Bullet passed right through 'ya. Good thing it missed the important stuff though. I think with time your gonna be right as rain."George got up and poured a cup of coffee. "How do you take it?" he asked."None for me," said the officer."Oh, yer gonna drink this. Best in the city." Then George added: "Too bad I ain't got no donuts."The officer laughed and winced at the same time. The front door of the office flew open. In burst a young man with a gun."Give me all your cash! Do it now!" the young man yelled. His hand was shaking and George could tell that he had never done anything like this before."That's the guy that shot me!" exclaimed the officer."Son, why are you doing this?" asked George. "You need to put the cannon away. Somebody else might get hurt."The young man was confused. "Shut up old man, or I'll shoot you, too. Now give me the cash!" The cop was reaching for his gun."Put that thing away," George said to the cop. "We got one too many in here now."He turned his attention to the young man. "Son, it's Christmas Eve. If you need the money, well then, here. It ain't much but it's all I got. Now put that pee shooter away."George pulled $150 out of his pocket and handed it to the young man, reaching for the barrel of the gun at the same time. The young man released his grip on the gun, fell to his knees and began to cry."I'm not very good at this am I? All I wanted was to buy something for my wife and son," he went on. "I've lost my job. My rent is due. My car got repossessed last week..."George handed the gun to the cop. "Son, we all get in a bit of squeeze now and then. The road gets hard sometimes, but we make it through the best we can."He got the young man to his feet, and sat him down on a chair across from the cop. "Sometimes we do stupid things." George handed the young man a cup of coffee. "Being stupid is one of the things that makes us human. Comin' in here with a gun ain't the answer. Now sit there and get warm and we'll sort this thing out."The young man had stopped crying. He looked over to the cop. "Sorry I shot you. It just went off. I'm sorry officer.""Shut up and drink your coffee." the cop said.George could hear the sounds of sirens outside. A police car and an ambulance skidded to a halt. Two cops came through the door, guns drawn."Chuck! You ok?" one of the cops asked the wounded officer."Not bad for a guy who took a bullet. How did you find me?""GPS locator in the car. Best thing since sliced bread. Who did this?" the other cop asked as he approached the young man.Chuck answered him, "I don't know. The guy ran off into the dark. Just dropped his gun and ran."George and the young man both looked puzzled at each other. "That guy works here," the wounded cop continued."Yep," George said. "Just hired him this morning. Boy lost his job."The paramedics came in and loaded Chuck onto the stretcher. The young man leaned over the wounded cop and whispered, "Why?"Chuck just said, "Merry Christmas, boy. And you too, George, and thanks for everything.""Well, looks like you got one doozy of a break there. That ought to solve some of your problems." George went into the back room and came out with a box. He pulled out a ring box."Here you go. Something for the little woman, I don't think Martha would mind. She said it would come in handy some day."The young man looked inside to see the biggest diamond ring he ever saw. "I can't take this," said the young man. "It means something to you.""And now it means something to you," replied George. "I got my memories. That's all I need."George reached into the box again. A toy airplane, a racing car and a little metal truck appeared next. They were toys that the oil company had left for him to sell. "Here's something for that little man of yours."The young man began to cry again as he handed back the $150 that the old man had handed him earlier. "And what are you supposed to buy Christmas dinner with? You keep that, too. Count it as part of your first week's pay." George said."Now git home to your family."The young man turned with tears streaming down his face. "I'll be here in the morning for work, if that job offer is still good.""Nope. I'm closed Christmas day," George said. "See ya the day after."George turned around to find that the stranger had returned. "Where'd you come from? I thought you left?""I have been here. I have always been here," said the stranger. "You say you don't celebrate Christmas. Why?""Well, after my wife passed away I just couldn't see what all the bother was. Puttin' up a tree and all seemed a waste of a good pine tree. Bakin' cookies like I used to with Martha just wasn't the same by myself and besides I was getting a little chubby."The stranger put his hand on George's shoulder. "But you do celebrate the holiday, George. You gave me food and drink and warmed me when I was cold and hungry. The woman with child will bear a son and he will become a great doctor.The policeman you helped will go on to save 19 people from being killed by terrorists. The young man who tried to rob you will become a rich man and share his wealth with many people.That is the spirit of the season and you keep it as good as any man."George was taken aback by all this stranger had said. "And how do you know all this?" asked the old man."Trust me, George. I have the inside track on this sort of thing. And when your days are done you will be with Martha again." The stranger moved toward the door."If you will excuse me, George, I have to go now. I have to go home where there is a big celebration planned."George watched as the man's old leather jacket and his torn pants turned into a white robe. A golden light began to fill the room."You see, George, it's My birthday. Merry Christmas."Author Unknown

Clothes Lines........

2010-10-11T16:47:00.009-05:00

When I read the email at the end of this post it brought back so many memories of a new bride 50 years age! The experience that Edward and I had is at the beginning...... I hope you enjoy it......

When Edward and I married, we moved to a town a distance away where we had no family....and no family washing machines. We lived in a rental house and had one car, which Edward drove to school where he taught. I washed our clothes in the bath tub.....this included bed linens. It was a chore to squeeze the water out of sheets...I weighed a whopping 89 and 3/4 pounds. We didn't have a clothes line but a kind hearted neighor invited me to use hers.

A few years later we bought our first newly built home and we purchased a washing machine from the high school Home Economic's Department. They were replaced every 2 or 3 years. It was a front loader with scales in the drop down door. I was in high cotton!

When the machine finished the washing cycle, it wouldn't empty the water. My dear husband opened the door and all of a sudden there must have been a hundred gallons of water on the kitchen floor and rushing down the hall. Lesson: NEVER OPEN A FRONT LOADING WASHING MACHINE FILLED WITH WATER!!!!!!!!! The house builders had used the drain as a garbage disposal!

I got a dryer after the birth of our daughter, Amy.....and I did get a clothes line. I was using post hole diggers to dig the holes for the poles which took most of one day. A couple of days later, I couldn't move, laugh, cough and it hurt to breathe. My husband carried me to the doctor and he was sending me to the hospital for tests when I remembered the 'post hole' digging. He canceled the tests and I came home to the heating pad! Needless to say, I don't use post hole diggers to this day......

Our daughter, Mindy's husband, Chip, made a new pair of wooden cross arm clothes line posts several years ago and brought them 160 miles on his truck to me. He laughed and said when he stopped to buy gas the attendant cast questioning glances at him. Guess he thought Chip was going to a 'hanging'.....and not for clothes!

Still, sheets hung out on a sunny, summer day surely do smell mighty fresh when you go to bed...

Some old habits still work just fine....

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Basic Rules for Clotheslines
You have to be a certain age to appreciate this. I can hear my mom now...
THE BASIC RULES FOR CLOTHESLINES: (If you don't know what
clotheslines are, better skip this.)1. You had to wash the clothesline before hanging any clothes. Walk the entire length of each line wiping the line with a damp cloth.2. You had to hang the clothes in a certain order, and always hang "whites" with "whites," and hang them first.3. You never hung a shirt by the shoulders - always by the tail! What would the neighbours think?4. Wash day on a Monday . . . Never hang clothes on the weekend, certainly not Sunday, for Heaven's sake!5. Hang the sheets and towels on the outside lines so you could hide your "unmentionables" in the middle (perverts & busybodies, y'know!)6. It didn't matter if it was sub-zero weather . . . Clothes would "freeze-dry."7. Always gather the clothespins when taking down dry clothes! Pins left on the lines were "tacky!"8. If you were efficient, you would line the clothes up so that each item did not need two clothes pins, but shared one of the clothespins with the next washed item.9. Clothes had to be off the line before dinner time, neatly folded in the clothes basket, and ready to be ironed.10. IRONED? Well, that's a whole other subject!

POEM
A clothesline was a news forecast To neighbors passing by. There were no secrets you could keep When clothes were hung to dry. It also was a friendly link For neighbors always knew If company had stopped on by To spend a night or two. For then you'd see the "fancy sheets" And towels upon the line; You'd see the "company table cloths" With intricate designs. The line announced a baby's birth From folks who lived inside - As brand new infant clothes were hung, So carefully with pride! The ages of the children could So readily be known By watching how the sizes changed, You'd know how much they'd grown! It also told when illness struck, As extra sheets were hung; Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too, Haphazardly were strung. It also said, "Gone on vacation now" When lines hung limp and bare. It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged With not an inch to spare! New folks in town were scorned upon If wash was dingy and gray, As neighbors carefully raised their brows, And looked the other way . . .. But clotheslines now are of the past, For dryers make work much less. Now what goes on inside a home Is anybody's guess! I really miss that way of life. It was a friendly sign When neighbors knew each other best By what hung on the line!

Children at the Pentagon on 9/11/01

2010-08-31T13:07:00.004-05:00

An email sent to me worth passing on:

This is little-known story from the Pentagon on 09/11/2001: During a visit with a fellow chaplain, who happened to be assigned to the Pentagon, I had a chance to hear a first-hand account of an incident that happened right after Flight 77 hit the Pentagon. The chaplain told me what happened at a daycare center near where the impact occurred. This daycare had many children, including infants who were in heavy cribs. The daycare supervisor, looking at all the children they needed to evacuate, was in a panic over what they could do. There were many children, mostly toddlers, as well as the infants that would need to be taken out with the
cribs. There was no time to try to bundle them into carriers and strollers.
Just then a young Marine came running into the center and asked what they needed. After hearing what the center director was trying to do, he ran back
out into the hallway and disappeared. The director thought, 'Well, there we
are - on our own.' About 2 minutes later, that Marine returned with 40 other Marines in tow. Each of them grabbed a crib with a child, and the rest started gathering up toddlers. The director and her staff then helped them take all the children out of the center and down toward the park near the Potomac and the Pentagon. Once they got about 3/4 of a mile outside the building, the Marines stopped in the park, and then did a fabulous thing - they formed a circle with the cribs, which were quite sturdy and heavy, like the covered wagons in the Old West. Inside this circle of cribs, they put the toddlers, to
keep them from wandering off. Outside this circle were the 40 Marines,
forming a perimeter around the children and waiting for instructions. There
they remained until the parents could be notified and come get their children . The chaplain then said, "I don't think any of us saw nor heard of this on any of the news stories of the day. It was an incredible story of our men there. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. The thought of those Marines and what they did and how fast they reacted; could we expect any less from them? It was one of the most touching stories from the Pentagon. Remember Ronald Reagan's great compliment: "Most of us wonder if our lives made any difference. Marines don't have that problem." God Bless the USA , our troops, and you. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." It's the Military, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press. It's the Military, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.
It's the Military, not the politicians that ensures our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
It's the Military who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and
whose coffin is draped by the flag. If you care to offer the smallest token of recognition and appreciation for the military, please pass this on and pray for our men and women who have served and are currently serving our country and pray for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

"I expect to pass through this world but once;any good therefore that I can do... let me do it now...for I shall not pass this way again."

Happy Birthday USA!

2010-07-01T20:23:00.009-05:00

How blessed we are to live in the United States of America! Please, dear Lord, forgive us for straying away and draw us back into a nearness to you....

From our home to your home.....God Bless.

Happy 21st birthday to our firstborn grandson, Davis, who was born on the 4th of July...

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We Celebrate Our 50th Wedding Anniversary....

2010-06-18T13:54:00.008-05:00

On June 19th, 1960, Father's Day Sunday, Edward and I were married after Sunday morning services. Back then, almost all weddings were on Sunday. Earlier in the week, I had been diagnosed with appendicitis. I spent several days in bed and on Sunday morning I didn't know if I would be going to the church or the hospital....I went to church (when I was 44 my appendix were removed during major surgery).

I had just graduated from high school and a few days later Edward had graduated from University of Georgia with a teaching degree.

I had $300.00 to spend on a wedding. About $150.00 went toward wedding dress material, flowers, gifts, etc. My sweet Aunt Gladys made my dress. The remaining money was spent on curtains, bedspreads, etc., things for our home.

Our first meal was Ham with Raisin Gravy and vegetables. On our way to Amelia Island, Florida we got in a National Guard Convoy....we were waved around truck after truck with lots of horn blowing and hats waving. What a way to go! We continue to vacation at Amelia Island with our daughters, their husbands and eight grandchildren. The week of July 4th finds us making many memories.......

Because Father's Day weekend is so busy, our daughters and church family hosted a reception for us on Sunday afternoon, June 13th. Many, many friends came to enjoy the afternoon with us. A basket of cards were given to us and we continue daily to receive more cards.

Our granddaughter, Ellie, played the violin superbly ...our twin granddaughters, Erin and Elisabeth sang 'I'll Be There' beautifully. Erin presented a power point slide show from our births until the present complete with music of our era and captioning. We experienced a wonderful afternoon with family and friends.

Our daughters insisted our wedding attire be displayed.

Granddaughter, Elisabeth, baked the delicious cake and sweet friend, Beth, decorated.

Thank you Mindy, Chip, Davis, Drew, Amy, Chad, Erin, Elisabeth, Wesley, Ellie, John, Alexander, Beth and the sweet ladies of our church family.

Happy 50th Anniversary to Edward.......Love and Prayers....Betty

Have You Come Across Any Blue Roses?

2010-05-24T14:01:00.001-05:00

Here is an email someone sent to me, and I thought it was worth sharing!

Having four visiting family members, the wife was very busy, so I offered to go to the store for her to get some needed items, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags, detergent, and Clorox. So off I went.

I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies, and headed for the checkout counter, only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man who appeared to be about sixteen-years-old. I wasn't in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud voice, "Mommy, I'm over here."

It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged, and also startled as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, "Hey Buddy, what's your name?"

"My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother," he responded proudly. "Wow," I said, "that's a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Steve."

"Steve, like Stevarino?" he asked.

"Yes," I answered. "How old are you Denny?"

"How old am I now, Mommy?" he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle.. "You're fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass by."

I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles, and school. I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement because he was the center of someone's attention. He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.

Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn't even look at him, much less talk to him. I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

I told her that there are plenty of red, yellow, and pink roses in God's Garden; however, "Blue Roses" are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a Blue Rose and if someone doesn't stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose with their kindness, then they've missed a blessing from God.

She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked, "Who are you?"

Without thinking I said, "Oh, I'm probably just a dandelion but I sure love living in God's garden."

She reached out, squeezed my hand, and said, "God bless you!" and then I had tears in my eyes.

May I suggest that the next time you see a BLUE ROSE, don't turn your head and walk off. Take the time to smile and say Hello. Why? Because, by the grace of GOD, this mother or father could be you. This could be your child, grandchild, niece, or nephew. What a difference a moment can mean to that person or their family.

From an old dandelion!

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

"People will forget what you said, People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Saw these 2 on church signs:

You've "done" everything under the sun; now try doing

everything for the "SON"!

Alexander's trip to the ER.....A Tribute to Mothers....

2010-05-06T21:00:00.000-05:00

Our sweet little four year old grandson, Alexander, collided with a table Wednesday and had to make a trip to the ER to have his forehead glued back together...he hasn't missed a beat!

I can't say the same for his Mom, Amy. We, Mama's, know when one of our chicks takes a lick, the livin' daylights are scared out of us....both are doing fine.

Real Moms

** Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.

** Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.

** Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.

** Real Mothers know that dried playdough doesn't come out of shag carpets.

** Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.

** Real Mothers sometimes ask "why me?" and get their answer when a little voice says, "because I love you best."

** Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade... It is marked by the progression of Mama to Mommy to Mom...

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers...and those who play a mother's role in the lives of all children!

Signs of Spring around our home.....

2010-04-12T22:10:00.012-05:00

Roses budding....this is a pink tree rose with the sweetest smelling blooms...can hardly wait....

Beautiful pot that has pansies....

Potting soil to repot many flowers.....

Hanging baskets of red geraniums......

Viburnum blooms....

George Tabor azaleas.....

New patio umbrella.....

New patio cushions.....

What are your spring time projects?

An Easter Prayer For You.....

2010-04-02T18:23:00.009-05:00

Nails such as these did not hold the Lord Jesus to the cross on Calvary....

His love for His people held Him there....and then three days later...He arose...As the angel told the women, "He is not here, He is risen as He said He would."

HALLELUJAH! The Lord God omnipotent reigneth!

I pray that you have a blessed Easter....Betty

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow......

2010-02-16T10:43:00.005-05:00

On Friday, we lived in a 'winter wonderland' for a few hours...I visited a cousin in the hospital, who later passed away, and then drove to visit my friend, Jackie....as she, Jerry and I sat talking, visiting, the snow began to really become heavy. As I left about an hour later everything was glistening white....absolutely breath taking.....I slowly drove home through the country taking in the beauty. As I approached home our little guest house was so pretty......

Our home......

Our neighbor, Brenda, across the road emailed this picture to us and the one of the guest house.

Our grandchildren next door thoroughly enjoyed the rare snow...their snowman, Fred, lasted almost four days....

It was an ideal situation....snow one afternoon and night and the next day it was gone...but the memories are tucked away to be remembered forever.....

I hope you enjoyed a 'Happy Valentine's Day'......

Sights and Shopping in NYC

2010-02-11T13:15:00.014-05:00

A new experience for us was riding in a NYC taxi....three of us shared a cab and rode several blocks to Macy's...when we got there it was lunch time so we headed to the basement...everyone chose their meal and as you can imagine it was packed to the gills. There was a table with one well dressed gentleman seated...we all surrounded him, sat down and began eating. He continued reading his newspaper, never saying a word. When he finished his meal, he stood up, folded his paper and said, "ladies, have a nice day, spend lots of money in Macy's and I'll leave the paper for you to read."

Our driver was very nice, answering our questions...I'm quite certain he had never heard three ladies from the south utter, "Gosh", " yonder", and "oh, my Lord"......

My pictures are all mixed up...I have a new Notebook laptop that is totally unfamiliar to me and it is not co-operating with me...this on Top Of The Rock....very windy.

We look like we're about to fly away.

This looks quite different than the sights we see at home.

Top of the Rock....you can see many famous landmarks from the top including Central Park where we on another day had lunch at Tavern On The Green.

The Empire State Building....wonder if Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks are still on the observation deck...one of my favorite movies....

As you enter Top of the Rock there is a gorgeous 14,000 Swaroski crystal chandelier...there are, according to the internet, 300 stores located in this facility.

I agree with this....especially at Christmas...

Well, as I said before, my pictures are mixed up and I couldn't get them to slide....Macy's windows and outside decorations were beautiful. Many, many people were Christmas shopping. We rode the wooden escalator up to the nineth floor and enjoyed seeing all the decorated trees and ornaments galore. I did bring a beautiful Empire State Building ornament home for our tree.

More sights next time.....

The Church White Lie Cake.......

2010-01-29T05:35:00.004-05:00

This has been around before but when a friend sent it to me today, it was just as funny as the first time I read it.....True or not, it is hilarious......
>
> THE CHURCH WHITE LIE CAKE

>
> Have you ever told a white lie? You are going to love this, especially
> all of the ladies who bake for church events:
>
> Alice Grayson was to bake a cake for the Baptist Church Ladies'

> Group in Tuscaloosa , but forgot to do it until the last minute.

> She remembered it the morning of the bake sale and after

> rummaging through cabinets, found an angel food cake mix &

> quickly made it while drying her hair, dressing, and
> helping her son pack up for Scout camp.
>
> When she took the cake from the oven, the center had dropped
> flat and the cake was horribly disfigured and she exclaimed,

> "Oh dear, there is not time to bake another cake!" This cake

> was important to Alice because she did so want to fit in at her

> new church, and in her new community of friends. So, being

> inventive, she looked around the house for something to build

> up the center of The cake. She found it in the bathroom - a roll

> of toilet paper. She plunked it in and then covered it with icing.

> Not only did the finished product look beautiful, it looked perfect.

> And, before she left the house to drop the cake by the church

> and head for work, Alice woke her daughter and gave her some
> money and specific instructions to be at the bake sale the moment it
> opened at 9:30 and to buy the cake and bring it home.

> When the daughter arrived at the sale, she found the attractive,

> perfect cake had already been sold. Amanda grabbed her cell
> phone & called her mom.
>
> Alice was horrified-she was beside herself! Everyone would know!
>
> What would they think? She would be ostracized, talked about,

> ridiculed! All night, Alice lay awake in bed thinking about people
>
> pointing fingers at her and talking about her behind her back.
>
> The next day, Alice promised herself she would try not to think
>
> about the cake and would attend the fancy luncheon/bridal shower
>
> at the home of a fellow church member and try to have a good time.
>
> She did not really want to attend because the hostess was a snob
>
> who more than once had looked down her nose at the fact that Alice
>
> was a single parent and not from the founding families of Tuscaloosa ,
>
> but having already RSVP'd , she couldn't think of a believable excuse
>
> to stay home.
>
> The meal was elegant, the company was definitely upper crust old
> south and to Alice 's horror, the cake in question was presented for
>
> dessert! Alice felt the blood drain from her body when she saw the cake!
>
> She started out of her chair to tell the hostess all about it, but before
> she could get to her feet, the Mayor's wife said, "what a beautiful
> cake!"
>
> Alice, still stunned, sat back in her chair when she heard the
> hostess (who was a prominent church member) say,
>
> "Thank you, I baked it myself.."
>
> Alice smiled and thought to herself, "God is good."
>

Dining at Cafe- Un Deux -Trois.......

2010-01-20T05:51:00.022-05:00

I digress....on Wednesday evening we had our evening meal at Cafe-Un- Deux Trois ...we were staying in Times Square and many of our planned activities were within walking distance...

The restaurant is a beautiful establishment and the waiters were very helpful and courteous. Gorgeous Christmas decor.....sparkling chandeliers....candlelight...

The above pictures from internet website......My pictures leave a lot to be desired. We were advised not to carry expensive cameras so I carried disposable ones plus an old digital....big mistake.....the ones I later made with my phone were so much better.

Delores, Mickie and Mary Jo....
Mary Jo, Jane and Wanda.....

I enjoyed Potager Du Jour, a delicious soup, Poulet Cordon Bleu, grilled vegetables, herbed rice, bread and for dessert, Raspberry Sorbet and coffee.Another evening we saw the play 'Mama Mia' at the Winter Garden Theatre.

Thursday, after The Today Show, we eagerly made our way to Macy's, etc.....more to come.

Dec. 3rd at THE TODAY SHOW....................

2010-01-11T12:08:00.000-05:00

We were up bright and early to get to The Today Show...a sign had been custom printed 'Merry Christmas From Moultrie, Georgia'....although I don't live in this particular town I'm happy to be associated with those who do....our group starts with the smiling lady in the red sweater placing a clear plastic bag with a yellow toss game in the bag. I'm standing next to the sign... I have on a black leather jacket and red sweater and white hair. The gift I am placing in the bag is a yellow and blue box with a race car inside. Next to me is 'cousin Mary Jo'.... I was not aware that we would to to the Today Show until we were already in New York...Today Show provided some gifts...

We met Al Roker, whose wife, Debra Roberts, is from Perry, Georgia....Michael Jackson's brothers came around and shook hands, Matt Lauer did also. Unfortunately the pictures I made of Matt, Al and others didn't turn out very well.

Left to right: lst row: Wanda, Betty, Mary Jo, Jane
2nd row: Joyce, Suzy, Mickie, LaRue
3rd row: David (tour guide), Nancy and unknown fellow

A friendly NBC photographer lady made pictures and later we bought them at the NBC Store. Also, the NBC staff were were very cordial and helpful to make pictures for us.

After our Today 'debut' we had breakfast at Dean & Deluca's. The food was delicious as we sat in the window watching the goings on in Rockefeller Center.

The weather was pleasant but breezy.....it was warmer in New York than down home in the south...

Then on to a day of shopping and seeing more of the 'Big Apple' sights....

To be continued.......

A Wednesday afternoon in New York City...continued

2010-01-06T18:44:00.000-05:00

After lunch we boarded our bus again with Dexter and began sightseeing....this fence is where pictures, notes, etc. were hung after 9-11.

We boarded the Staten Island Ferry...

A humongous ferry....

Staten Island.....
The Lady......
Ellis Island.....

After the ferry ride we met our New York City Tour Guide, Kevin....Kevin is very good at what he does...besides a tour guide he is an actor...he's appeared on Law and Order and other programs that have slipped my mind.

Ground Zero....SACRED GROUND.....
Muse Hotel....Lobby...For some reason I can't download a picture of the hotel.....we spent two nights here. The staff was very cordial and helpful....the restrooms near the lobby were something to behold...they were unisex. I don't have pictures of the four but they were fancy-smancy....the hotel is located in the theatre district, Times Square. Everything was within walking distance for the most part.
Very ultra-modern...no, you aren't seeing double....I can't seem to delete the second picture.

The fire place in the lobby....
This isn't our room but very similar with the same colors....This was the view outside our 8th floor window...very comforting.

Next after freshening up we dined at Cafe Un-Deux-Trois.....to be continued.......

Merry Christmas to you.......

2009-12-23T22:11:00.032-05:00

Merry, Merry Christmas to you......Back to the New York City trip after Christmas....below are random pictures of some of my favorite things...
This wreath hangs in the den and tells the whole story.....

The Reason for the Season...Our Lord Jesus Christ.......

I didn't use the big pre-lit tree this year....just a pencil tree....

Another Nativity.....
One of my favorite cookie jars...

I bought this large dome cloche last week for a dollar....
Soup tureen....
Holly over pictures...
Some silver bling....
Kitchen table dishes...
When I was 15 months old, I wrote my first letter to Santa...this is really vintage....1942...I really didn't write the letter, I just told my Mama what to write.....well, not really.....
Shortly after making this picture, it fell off the easel, a few minutes letter the easel collapsed....the glass did not break....

Edward walked down the steps, knocked over some of the soldiers and commented the grandchildren would do the same. They had already been up and down several times without disturbing them. I think it's just a Pop thing......
These bring back sweet memories of our 'real' flock of sheep.

I bought this print to give as a gift but decided I liked it so well I kept it......

The grandchildren like to push the button to make Santa swing at the golf ball...
A nice cup of coffee or tea on my desk.....
Snowmen at the front door and I've just realized I didn't make a picture of the front door wreath....oh well....

Please have a safe and joyous Christmas with those you love and do remember our military who are serving on distant shores to protect our freedom and freedom around the world. Their families are heroes as well .....Betty

New York City here we come......

2009-12-08T03:41:00.014-05:00

If someone had told me earlier in the year that I would be going to New York City I would have laughed in their face...especially flying...I've never flown and wasn't sure I ever would. When Edward was employed full time in his secular job I had been invited to accompany him on flights but I declined. Once I said 'yes' and a couple of weeks before we were to leave there was a terrible plane crash in Iowa and I immediately said, "NO WAY HOSEA".....

A cousin, Mary Jo, called about a month ago and said she and several friends were going to 'Christmas In The Big Apple' and invited me to go. Edward and I discussed it and I decided to go for it....

We left in the middle of night, well at 3:45 in the morning, to drive to a small airport where we boarded a small commuter plane to Atlanta. It was raining but not storming. I was in constant communication with my Heavenly Father but I wasn't afraid.

We arrived at the airport in Atlanta and boarded 'the big bird'....it just went on and on.

About two hours later we were in New York City. We've driven there before but it looks entirely different from the sky.....
As we deplaned, the Captain and Stewardess greeted us. I thanked him for a first safe flight and asked if I might make their picture. She instead made mine with him...I had requested Sully but...well...you know.....
Some of the scenery down at South Street Seaport....
A water taxi....
The Brooklyn Bridge in the background.
Lunch at the Pacific Grill....LaRue, Joyce, Susie, Betty, Mary Jo, Delores, Nancy, Wanda and where is Jane? That's a picture of her purse......

Here's Jane...the pretty lady on the bottom left.....

Brooklyn Bridge...
Chinatown...Later, we went back to shop, eat ice cream .......

After lunch we returned to our bus and expert driver, Dexter, to begin our interesting tour of Lower Manhattan..............to be continued.........

Happy Thanksgiving......

2009-11-26T01:38:00.004-05:00

I have so much to be thankful for that I can't begin to enumerate all of my blessings...

I do wish you a wonderful day with your family and friends...

As we gather around our table and think of good times and good friends, I'll be thinking of my 'blogging family' also...

God Bless...Betty

The Cab Driver....Compassion at its finest......

2009-10-30T15:42:00.003-05:00

This email has been around more than once, but such a lesson is taught.....Betty
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> I arrived at the address where someone had requested a taxi. I honked but
> no one came out. I honked again, nothing. So I walked to the door and
> knocked. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear
> something being dragged across the floor.
> After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood
> before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil
> pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.
>
> By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one
> had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets..
>
> There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the
> counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and
> glassware.
>
> 'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to
> the cab, and then returned to assist the woman.
>
> She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
>
> She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her. 'I just
> try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated.'

> 'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said. When we got in the cab, she gave
> me an address, and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'
>
> 'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly.
> 'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a
> hospice'.
>
> I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have
> any family left,' she continued. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.'
> I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
>
> 'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.
>
> For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the
> building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.
>
> We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when
> they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse
> that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.
>
> Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner
> and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
>
> As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm
> tired. Let's go now'
>
> We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low
> building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed
> under a portico.
>
> Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were
> solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been
> expecting her.
>
> I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was
> already seated in a wheelchair.
>
> 'How much do I owe you?' she asked, reaching into her purse.
> 'Nothing,' I said
>
> 'You have to make a living,' she answered.
>
> 'There are other passengers,' I responded.
>
> Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me
> tightly.
>
> 'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said.
>
> 'Thank you.'
>
> I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind
> me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.
> I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in
> thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman
> had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?
> What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven
> away?
> On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important
> in my life.
> We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.
> But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what
> others may consider a small one.
>
>
> PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY
> WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

> Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as
> well dance.

> IN GOD WE TRUST---

Happy Fall....Ya'll..........

2009-10-03T18:50:00.048-05:00

Welcome to our home....fall is in the air and that makes me want to bring out the harvest decorations....the tractors are humming and the farmers are gathering the crops......

Mr. Scarecrow keeps an eye on the front porch......
The flag is very colorful.....
A bale of cotton, gourds, pumpkins...................
Colorful mums.....
If it stands still I'll tie a bow on it....

The window box in front of the den looks pretty outside as well as inside......

A swag of leaves and pomegranates with a raffia bow.....
The planters on the back porch have a fall touch.....

A scarecrow girl from a thrift store...a dollar.....
The window box on the kitchen window.....
Do you see the brown lizard behind the red bird house?
An old rustic birdhouse with iron bird and bunny....
Mr. Bunny stood still and got one tied on...why is this underlined and in blue?
A cornucopia and a turkey gourd.....
A ceramic cornucopia.....
A wicker cornucopia.....

I laugh everytime I walk by this turkey with her little head and tail...a gift from my friend Jackie...
These dishes are some of my very favorites...they look so 'fallish'....

A large arrangement of mums on the piano....A stuffed pheasant peeking out....
And last of all one of my favorite fall pitchers....

When I was a little, scrawny girl my grandparents lived a few blocks from the elementary school. I walked to their home for lunch one fall day. My Grandfather was a wonderful gardener and had a pumpkin patch. He offered me one and of course I chose the largest one. I started back to school carrying my gold cargo....I'd walk a little ways and sit down on my pumpkin....continued doing this all the way....finally I made it to my class room. We carved a Jack-O-Lantern and I was a happy camper. Do you have a pumpkin story?

Thanks for taking the time to visit with me...wishing you God's richest blessings.....

Heaven....................

2009-09-09T22:08:00.003-05:00

WHAT HAPPENS IN HEAVEN

This is one of the nicest e-mails I have seen and is so true:

I dreamt that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels... My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, 'This is the Receiving Section. Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received.'

I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world.

Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section.
The angel then said to me, 'This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them.' I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth.

Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. 'This is the Acknowledgment Section,' my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed. 'How is it that there is no work going on here?' I asked.

'So sad,' the angel sighed. 'After people receive the blessings that they asked for, very few send back acknowledgments.'

'How does one acknowledge God's blessings?' I asked.

'Simple,' the angel answered. 'Just say, Thank you, Lord.'

'What blessings should they acknowledge?' I asked.

'If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.'

'And if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity.'

'If you woke up this morning with more health than illness... You are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day.'

'If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation .. You are ahead of 700 million people in the world.'

'If you can attend a place of worship without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world..'

'If your parents are still alive and still married ..you are very rare.'

'If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you're unique to all those in doubt and despair.'
Ok, what now? How can I start?

If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you as very special and you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.
Have a good day, count your blessings , and if you care to, pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are.

ATTN: Acknowledge Dept .
'Thank you Lord, for giving me the ability to share this message and for giving me so many wonderful people with whom to share it.

I thank God for everything, especially all my family and friends!!

Monday Thrift Finds...Rhoda

2009-09-06T14:14:00.003-05:00

Happy Labor Day........Please go by Rhoda's blog to see what everyone is showing on 'Thrifty Monday'........I found this table at Amelia Island when we were at the beach this summer....it really is vintage...I think the price was $15.00. My daughter, Melinda, liked it so now it belongs to her....
This is Arthur Court....I have other pieces that I enjoy...a couple of dollars....
This was the best buy of all...when we carried the garbage to the dumpster it was on the ground by the dumpster. I found it several months ago....cost....FREE...

Happy Thrifty......Betty

Happy Birthday to Me......

2009-09-03T08:00:00.002-05:00

Welcome to my birthday party! I am 68 today...I am the 6th child in my family line up...the youngest next to me was 14 when I was born so I don't think I was exactly planned. The oldest child was 25....gosh, I bet he was embarrassed......now I have one brother living....cancer has taken our siblings plus our mother....

Thanks for coming by........

Thrifting.....

2009-08-31T00:57:00.007-05:00

This is my first time participating in Rhoda's Monday Thrift Finds....but this is my cup of tea and I enjoy seeing the great things other people have found....

Hurry on over to Rhoda's......

A pair of Vaneli shoes...one of my favorite brands....cost....$3.00

Outdoor plastic American flag....$2.00
Staffordshire dogs...$1.99
New hooked rug $8.00 ....I had been looking for one to put on the faux brick painted floor in my little garden room....

White ceramic fruit topiary....ONE DOLLAR and it is quite large.......

What did you find interesting this week?

Edward is doing well...thank you for your prayers....A Sack Lunch....

2009-08-17T19:24:00.005-05:00

Dear Bloggers,

Edward continues to do well...we give all the praise and glory to our Lord...thank you all for your prayers and good wishes...each one was deeply appreciated...
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I've received the email before about the sack lunches but I want to share it with you...even if you've already read it...we owe such a debt of gratitude to our brave men and women in the military as well as their families...

Our veterans through the years have given so such and asked so little...thank you...

God Bless the USA

The Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage
Compartment and sat down in my
Assigned seat. It was going to be a
Long flight. 'I'm glad I have a
Good book to read. Perhaps I will get
A short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of
Soldiers came down the aisle and
Filled all the vacant seats, totally
Surrounding me. I decided to
Start a conversation.
'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.

'Petawawa. We'll be there for two
Weeks for special training, and then
We're being deployed to Afghanistan

After flying for about an hour, an
Announcement was made that sack
Lunches were available for five
Dollars. It would be several hours
Before we reached the east, and I
Quickly decided a lunch would help
Pass the time..

As I reached for my wallet, I
Overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he
Planned to buy lunch.
'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably
Wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to base '

His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other
Soldiers. None were buying lunch. I
Walked to the back of the plane and
Handed the flight attendant a
Fifty dollar bill.
'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed
Tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a
Soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up
The aisle to where the soldiers
Were seated. She stopped at my seat
And asked, 'Which do you like
Best - beef or chicken?'

'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why
She asked. She turned and went to
The front of plane, returning a
Minute later with a dinner plate from
First class. 'This is your thanks..'

After we finished eating, I went
Again to the back of the plane,
Heading for the rest room.
A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it.
Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I
Saw the Flight Captain coming down
The aisle, looking at the aisle
Numbers as he walked, I hoped he was
Not looking for me, but noticed he
Was looking at the numbers only on
My side of the plane.
When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, and said,
'I want to shake your hand.'

Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I
Stood and took the Captain's hand.
With a booming voice he said, 'I was
A soldier and I was a military pilot.
Once, someone bought me a lunch.
It was an act of kindness I
Never forgot.' I was embarrassed
When applause was heard from all of
The passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the
Plane so I could stretch my legs.
A man who was seated about six rows
In front of me reached out his
Hand, wanting to shake mine. He left
Another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed I gathered my
Belongings and started to deplane.
Waiting just inside the airplane door
Was a man who stopped me, put
Something in my shirt pocket, turned,
And walked away without saying a
Word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the
Soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them
And handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to
Reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich.
God Bless You.'

Ten young men left that flight
Feeling the love and respect of their
Fellow travelers. As I walked
Briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return.
These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only
Give them a couple of meals.

It seemed so little...

A veteran is someone who, at one
Point in his life, wrote a blank check
Made payable to 'The United States of
America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'

That is Honor, and there are way too
many people in this country who
no longer understand it.'

May God give you the strength and
courage to pass this along to
everyone on your email buddy list....

I JUST DID

What A Past Few Days!

2009-07-22T20:31:00.003-05:00

We make plans and so quickly everything changes...Saturday morning I went for a hair trim and planned to return and get busy house cleaning, ironing and packing for a trip that we were to leave on Sunday afternoon for Vincennes, Indiana...

When I returned home Edward was sitting in his recliner in the den...I asked, "are you sick?...he replied,"I think I had a heart attack but I feel fine now." Awhile later he decided we needed to go to the ER. He was monitored and admitted late that afternoon. On Monday he had a Nuclear Stress Test and Tuesday he had a heart catherization and 5 stents. He spent the night in ICU and we came home today....He had never had a heart problem..

We are so thankful that we were not enroute or even at our destination when this happened. Edward has had two very serious surgeries and our hospital has all his records and our surgeons are familiar with all his problems...

Our church family, friends and family rallied around us and surrounded us with love, prayers, food and everything we needed...God is so good...an ever present help in time of trouble.

We covet your prayers, too.....

Give away from Sandi.....Six things about me....a busy summer....

2009-07-14T13:29:00.017-05:00

The first thing I saw when I opened my package...and
I am certainly enjoying every delightful surprise.......

Back in June I was delighted to win Sandi's giveaway...
We were out of pocket for several days so I'm just now showing the beautiful items contained in my package.....do visit Sandi...she has a gorgeous blog and you will certainly enjoy all the interesting posts....The theme of my 'win' was birds....vintage sewing things...name tags....

Beautiful laces, bias tape, vintage buttons...
Beautiful bird name tags....and a sweet note from Sandi
A package of nest of eggs napkins...
Gorgeous egg soap.......

Many thanks to you Sandi for making my day.....
My pictures don't do justice....I'm sure it's me and not the new camera.

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Along about the same time a fellow blogger, Betty, asked me to tell Six Things About Myself .....I've done this previously but it has been quite awhile back so here goes....

1. Most importantly, I strive to live each day to glorify my Savior. Many days I feel that I've been a failure but each new day brings new opportunities and a new beginning.

2. I took Karate many years ago and enjoyed it immensely.

3. Out of my five siblings four have died of cancer, the fifth is in remission and my mother died of cancer also...

4. I do not eat eggs...I cook with them but I don't eat eggs as eggs...

5. I have never flown in an airplane...my husband traveled and each time I would decide to accompany him just prior to our leaving there would be a plane crash .....I hope Edward and I will visit our friends in Wales sometime in the future...

6. I began playing the piano in church when I was about 12 years old...music is manna to my soul...

An one extra:

My touchstone is to gaze up into the blue sky with the fluffy white clouds each day...that re-assures me of my Heavenly Father and that He loves me...and you.....

I am not tagging anyone in particular so feel free to participate...please leave a comment if you do so I can learn more about YOU.......

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We've had a busy summer as all of you have I'm sure. Sorry I've been so slack in posting the past months. I hope to do better.

Happy 49th Anniversary To My Husband....Beautiful Anniversary Gifts From Wales....

2009-06-18T00:20:00.005-05:00

On June 19th, 1960, Edward and I were married on a beautiful Sunday morning immediately following worship service...it was Father's Day and I told Edward his Daddy received the best Father's Day gift ever....me....just kidding....

After we undecorated the car, well as much as we could, we left for Amelia Island, Florida on our honeymoon....we encountered a National Guard Convoy and each vehicle waved us around and applauded....we had quite a motorcade.....

I remember our first meal together as husband and wife was baked ham with raisin gravy....

I had been sick with appendicitis all week and didn't know if I would go to the hospital for surgery or to the church to get married....the latter prevailed...

For 49 years we've gone to Amelia Island....when our daughters were growing up and now for a week in the summer we take all fourteen of us....we make so many memories. I hope our grandchildren will always remember the good times we share.

Our friends, Marion and John, from Wales remembered our anniversary with a beautiful Laura Ashley wall clock, CD's, anniversary card and a 'This England' magazine....

The colors are beautiful as well as the scripted numbers....

The clock has found a place in our bedroom and every time I look at it I will think of the dear friends so far away in distance but so near in our hearts....

Magazines are one of my pleasures in life...this one is a treasure trove of history, beautiful homes, recipes and so much information in general....it along with English Homes would be my two favorites.
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Our twin granddaughter, Erin the photographer, is having a photo contest and she invites everyone to participate....so go on over to Erin's Artistic Expressions and check it out...
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HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO EDWARD, CHIP, CHAD AND TO ALL THE GODLY FATHERS WHO ARE ROLE MODELS FOR OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN.......
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Yay! I won a giveaway........Kath Kidston pillows

2009-06-16T18:44:00.008-05:00

When I entered Florida Sue's giveaway I had no idea that I would win...In the years I've blogged I've won twice....

I thought I had won one Kath Kidston pillow which thrilled me....this week when I opened the package I found two beautiful pink and green pillows....

I use these colors in our bedroom along with rose printed fabric so they compliment each other perfectly....

My photographs don't do them justice......my granddaughter, Erin, is the talent in our family....and my husband.....

The larger pillow....they button so they'll launder easily.....
If you haven't visited Florida Sue you are in for a treat...she has so much energy....posts almost daily and has such a variety of subjects....check out Luxe Lanai ......

Thank you so much Florida Sue......Blessings....Betty

Our twin granddaughters' Graduation Garden Party

2009-06-02T19:40:00.024-05:00

Recently, our twin granddaughters, Erin and Elisabeth, graduated from high school. They have been rays of sunshine in our lives...

It was our pleasure to honor them with a Garden Graduation Reception on a gorgeous Saturday in May. Approximately 100 friends dropped by to congratulate them and wish them Godspeed...

Guests entered the backyard.....
A display table with kindergarten graduation pictures, high school diplomas and guest books and gifts...
Some younger guests and a Dad.....
The food table minus the food....take my word, it was delicious and plentiful...the old fashion popcorn popper was a BIG hit especially with the young guests but really everyone enjoyed a bag of popcorn at some point...
Elisabeth and Erin with their beautiful white cake festooned with a chic brown and pink bow and pink flowers...
The cake was designed and baked by a friend, Rachel, and given by Rachel and her Mom and Dad...a delicious gift.
The party colors were pink and brown ....

Lemonade, tea and water..........
It was great to see friends that we hadn't seen in a while...

This is Beth...she coordinated, cooked and kept everyone on track...so many friends helped make this indeed a special day.

Wesley, brother to the twins......
Fred and grandson Gene...Twin sister Alana around somewhere....

Well, that's what happened on a Saturday in May at our house...
Thanks for dropping by....

Some of my 'bloomers'.......Life........

2009-05-19T00:25:00.018-05:00

Isn't spring time a wonderful time? All the flower beds wake up, as well as the pesky weeds and grass....God's creation just puts on a show....the beautiful trees....and my favorite....the gorgeous blue skies with the fluffy clouds...how can we not say,"Lord, thank you and I love you!"This has become one of my favorite tree roses...Belinda's Dream.....very fragrant.

This isn't a bloomer but unique....a Staghorn Fern.
One of three planters on the back porch...
Another planter....
This is an area I'm working on...years ago we had concrete rectangles poured to use in a wet area....recently we intended to pour a walk way here and then I remembered the slabs so we used them instead...now we will pour river rock around the slabs...I re-arranged the wrought iron arbor and added the recently purchased large cast iron urns....a steal at $50.00 each. They are planted with Bacopa, Lobilia and Geraniums.
A new crop of lemons...
In the south bottle trees are not uncommon...
Cleome or Cat's Whiskers.....
An old, old bunny .....
One of the new Hibiscus......
Bird nest and cast iron bird....
A David Austin rose....I have others that have been absolutely gorgeous but are between blooms now....
One of Edward's day lilies....
Windchester Cathedral....I think....a David Austin rose....

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As you know, well you do if you've been a previous reader, our new den floor flooded not once but twice when we had almost 19 inches of rain in a short period of time...it has to be replaced. We recently honored our graduating twin granddaughters with a garden reception so the yard became our priority rather than the inside of the house. It will be the end of June before we get the floor done, Lord willing...

Life gets in the way of many of our plans and has to be dealt with immediately...other things get done when they get done.

What have you been doing this spring? I'd love to hear about your projects....

For all the blogging sisters............

2009-04-20T02:46:00.003-05:00

We all need a laugh so here are a few for today...Betty

Pregnancy, Estrogen, and Women

PREGNANCY Q & A & more!

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q : I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q : What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q : My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q : Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word 'alimony' means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q : Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q : Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

'ESTROGEN ISSUES'

10 WAYS TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE 'ESTROGEN ISSUES'

1. Everyone around you has an attitude problem.
2. You're adding chocolate chips to your cheese omelet.
3. The dryer has shrunk every last pair of your jeans.
4. Your husband is suddenly agreeing to everything you say.
5. You 're using your cellular phone to dial up every bumper sticker that says: 'How's my driving-call 1- 800-'.
6. Everyone's head looks like an invitation to batting practice.
7. Everyone seems to have just landed here from 'outer space.'
9. You're sure that everyone is scheming to drive you crazy.
10. The ibuprofen bottle is empty and you bought it yesterday.

TOP TEN THINGS ONLY WOMEN UNDERSTAND
10. Cats' facial expressions.
9. The need for the same style of shoes in different colors.
8. Why bean sprouts aren't just weeds.
7. Fat clothes.
6. Taking a car trip without trying to beat your best time.
5. The difference between beige, ecru, cream, off-white, and eggshell.
4. Cutting your hair to make it grow.
3. Eyelash curlers.
2. The inaccuracy of every bathroom scale ever made.

AND, the Number One thing only women understand:

1. OTHER WOMEN

WE ALL NEED A SMILE!

Wishing you a blessed Easter.........

2009-04-10T15:02:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends,
This is a re-post from last year but the message is timeless....Wishing you a blessed 2009 Easter....

Nails, such as these, did not hold our Savior to the cross....His love for you and me did that.......

Wishing you and your family a blessed Easter............

He is not here.....He is risen, as He said He would............. the Lord of Lords and King of Kings..................

Second time around,,,,flooded floor,,,,Happy Birthday to my husband Edward...

2009-04-03T07:57:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday to Edward today...he's a wonderful, unselfish husband and I'm blessed to have spent 48 years as his wife...

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Last night our den floor was flooded for the second time since Saturday....we have had 14 inches of rain. Another system is suppose to come through on Sunday.

My brother and sister-in-law moved back from Murfreesboro, TN on Monday and he was admitted to the hospital yesterday, Thursday, with Congestive Heart Failure. I had spent the day with him at the hospital and had been home a short while when the water began coming in. Edward had bought a wet and dry shop vac so he used it and I started the towel brigade. Chad and Amy came and helped...when finally the rain slowed and everything seemed to be over I was moving the vac ( full of water)...the top wasn't secured, it tipped over and water was once again everywhere...so out came more towels....

The piano and other pieces of furniture are in the middle of the den...one bedroom ceiling has some damage...but it could be worse...
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Sad news for our new den floor....Life At Home Giveaway....

2009-04-01T18:45:00.002-05:00

We've enjoyed our new den and new floor for a month...I was away Friday and Saturday to attend grandson, Drew's Perfectly Polished Spring Formal...We received 7 and 1/2 inches of rain in a short period of time....the water seeped in around water pipes in the utility room my husband thinks, ran into the den and ruined a portion of the wood floor. The insurance adjuster was here yesterday and called it flood damage. Of course, we don't have flood coverage.

We had several inches last night and today and tomorrow's forecast is for lots more...another system comes through on Sunday...but we aren't the only ones with problems and some much worse than ours...

On a happier note...please visit Sue at Life At Home for a delightful time of reading and she also is having a Giveaway....beautiful blue and white objects that I want to win!

Wishing you all a blessed week...

God's Cake.......

2009-03-24T20:41:00.003-05:00

This is a recent email that I received and I think it's worth sharing...Betty

God's cake...

This is about the best thing I've ever read as an explanation. We all wonder many times over WHY?

Sometimes we wonder, 'What did I do to deserve this?' or 'Why did God have to do this to me?' Here is a wonderful explanation! A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.

Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, 'Absolutely Mom, I love your cake.'

'Here, have some cooking oil,' her Mother offers.

'Yuck' says her daughter.

'How about a couple raw eggs?' 'Gross, Mom!'

'Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?'

'Mom, those are all yucky!'

To which the mother replies: 'Yes , all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! '

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!

God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

Finished.....finally....den remodel.................

2009-03-03T06:33:00.029-05:00

I really feel that I should re-introduce myself because I haven't posted since January.....we removed a wall between our den and sun room....well, as you can imagine, that led to many other things to be done.....we had cypress paneling in the sun room and I didn't want it taken down so we finished the walls with painted veneer paneling.....laminate floors and brick pavers at the back door and fireplace......as our family has grown, our need for space has changed so OUT WITH THE WALL!
This is as you come into the den from my little garden-music room....not a good picture but then I'm not a good photographer!

This looks to the east side of the den, formerly the sun room....the blinds have been installed in this picture...other pictures were made before blinds....I like mirrors propped against walls...........

This cabinet had been in the sun room...It was given to me years ago by an elderly lady...I will paint the inside and shelves or paper them....what color do you think would best with the ironstone?

This is a replica birdhouse of the house I grew up in...the man who bought the house after my Mother died made it for me....it's a treasure to me...

I have a plate rail on each side of the header......

A table made by my husband several years ago .....

The tv cabinet.....
Looking toward the original part of the den.....I'm looking for a companion rug to the large one shown....

Another view......

A sitting area by the fireplace...........One of my favorite fabrics......

Left end of the hearth...seashells are among my favorite things...
Right side....looks like a heavy pot but it's actually papier mache...
A chest that my Mother and Daddy started housekeeping with...to the left of the steps going up into the kitchen...I have plates to accentuate the mirror. We were in Atlanta last week and I found the black checked shades at Ballard's Designs along with some other goodies...a wonderful place to visit.....

A jelly cupboard Edward made several years ago...We had a slight uneven floor problem at the back door area that had to be remedied...Danny, our builder, came to the rescue with brick pavers...they don't really look as red as the picture...neither does the floor....it's that photographer again...
The piano previously was against a wall but I like it like this...the toile chair needs to be recovered, probably in a plaid...
A cabinet across from the fireplace.......the picture was made in lamplight....

This picture was made by lamplight and the reds look brown...I'm trying the little white tea table in this area and I'm thinking of painting it the color of the settee....what do you think?

Well, that's what has been happening at our house....not a big project compared to most....but it was MAJOR to us!