My Homestead Blessings: August 2011

Friday, August 26, 2011

Girlfriends Who Know How to Live

I talked to my girlfriend, Jolene, yesterday morning. She was spending the morning with two of my other friends. Nothing out of the ordinary, it would seem. Except it was very out of the ordinary. You see, one of the three women in the room had gone on to be with God.Lavern's death was unexpected. And my dear friends Josie and Jolene were taking care of her like good friends do. Josie ( an awesome hairdresser that I REALLY miss) was doing her hair, and Jolene was fixing her nails. And it was really nothing extraordinary to either one of them. Just good friends helping each other out. We were able to spend some time together a few weeks ago when I was back in town for a few days. Josie has been battling for good health with everything she has to fight. She is giving her all and living every minute with purpose. When we said goodbye she sang me a line from the song Carol Burnett used to end each show with..."I'm so glad we had this time together...". Me, too. Jolene has lost her job, has knee surgery this week, and has been robbed of her first husband by cancer. But she calls to encourage ME! What extraordinary women. All four of us in our fifties. One of us now gone. And it makes me rethink our attempts in life to avoid suffering and loss. Because I see the sweet spirits in these women. There is a generosity and kindness, and an appreciation of just living, today. And a heart of gratitude that God has allowed them to wake up and share their lives with others, and to

serve, and lighten someone else's load. It makes me less afraid of what tomorrow holds, because I have seen with my own eyes that He will grant me grace for the journey, just as He has my dear friends.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Texas Times

We had the most wonderful week in Texas. VBS ran from Sunday night til Wednesday night with Terry teaching the adult class. I love hearing him speak and he really put his heart into his lessons. He spoke on the birth, parables, miracles, and His death and resurrection. We had a chance to visit with several former students from Harding and Freed-Hardeman, and shared a meal with the Mahana family. Our time with Justin and Chelsea was too short. It is delightful to see them as parents. Jonah is such a sweet natured baby. You can tell he has been loved and appreciated. Did I mention he is stylish to boot? The boys enjoyed hanging out with Justin, swimming and going to the movies with their Dad. Chelsea and I enjoyed some shopping in 110 degree heat:). We found a great fabric store, a paper and chocolate shop, and visited an American Girl store. I brought "Emily" home with me. I told Terry it was for our granddaughters, but I really just wanted an excuse to get the little apron, canning and preserve set. My last day there I finished up four jumpers for April (just the buttons), made a new set of curtains for the playroom, and turned their coffeetable into a HUGE hassock so that Jonah would not bang his head as he starts being more mobile.The fabric is fun and looks great with the artwork Chelsea had painted-and the new chalkboard walls. I love being with my girls because we always have some project we're working on. When I was talking to Katie to tell her how much we were missing her being there, she had just finished dying a slipcover navy blue and painting 10 chairs white. I sure love my girls and their "Can Do" attitudes. Their Grandma Klein would be so proud!

The family room before: the bookcases prior to being painted and the coffee table.

The grey patch is chalkboard paint.

We added foam to the top of the coffee table to soften the edges and protect the wood.

The foam along the bottom protects the wood from the duct tape.

Cutting the fabric to make the top of the skirt

The completed family/playroom. Chelsea painted her old bookshelves and hung alphabet flashcards from a tension rod. Jonah's corner is to the right next to the tv cabinet.