WHERE I'VE BEEN...and back!!

The cottage where my grandchildren live next door for now...... a short walk to my back door ..... each day....... a blessing. My doll from 1956 ... ironic, the grandchildren have worn us both out!! This is how I feel! We are both a little frazzeled..... A pile of extended relatives.... it was a long day!! It says...."SLOW"................I WISH!!!!! Swinging ...... lasts about 2 minutes!!! No FOX News tonite!!! .....it's movie time..... Some on the floor..... some on the couches.... My NEW decor....someone has moved in!!! My 40 year old kid's toys from the past have made a comeback!!! That's what I get for not ever getting rid of anything!!!! It comes back to haunt you .... in a wonderful way. Thank the Lord for the WII Games!!!! Lunch preparations ..... in plastic and wood .....yummmm Legos .... wonderful millions of pieces of legos!! .... and I BOUGHT THEM....what was I thinking...? The toy house matches my house!!! Is that Mimi hanging from the rafters? Earlier in the day ... they were bored ... humfph!!! So we took an old sheet .... made a tent fort, they drew targets on the plastic lids , which were also shields.... and with our trusty water guns and water soakers we divided up and I drove the attack vehicle.... at times surprising the enemy ....we were soaked!!!! This was at least a two hour battle .... no photos of the defeated driver .... she looked like a giant wet hen!! Now this is true distraction ..... relaxation? .... well, maybe just distraction...... The most enthusiastic with lots of screaming was the three year old ....I am surprised the neighbors didn't call the police!!! A pretty nifty tent fort.... if I do say so myself!!! I love old sheets .... we built houses with blankets and chairs when I was a youngster ....and lots of clothes pins!!! YES, they do still make them!!! READY FOR BATTLE!!! The cat hid all day!!! Sunny , the cat was a present to us a few months back....from some generous stranger passing by! Sweetest cat!!!! My grand daughter was blessed .... so blessed because Sonny looks just like Sunshine (her first and only cat five years ago that got run over.) It was like "Some one " knew.... she was here in Texas again..... A birthday in February....you can barely see my Christmas tree to the right.... most people don't notice it is still up..... at least they don't "mention" it! And besides .... my grand kids don't care if it still up....they still turn the lites on sometimes when they come over. Now for some sanity and some beauty ....a gift from HIM in my yard. He is GOOD!!! Our famous Texas "Bluebonnets" with a few Indian Paintbrush!! Old Irises ....given to me from friends long ago.... Yellow Antique Rose "Graham ...something?" Just a ROLL of photos to show you life lately..... and why I'm too tired to post art or anything you might want to see .... here it is .... I CAN say we had a GREAT ANTIQUES FAIR ... and I'm still recuperating and trying to finish up paper work. Even though life has been on a different track lately .... I feel very blessed and thankful for all of THIS in my life! If you go back a few years to my Christmas open house, you'll see a very clean and very decorated house .... but NO MORE!! ALAS! ... the grandchildren have taken over and done their own decorating!!! I will end it with the ever present beauty of my yard which helps me to breath and feel His love and care for us .... even if we can no longer keep up physically .... or keep up appearances!! You may see my Christmas tree in a few photos .... yes, in March!! A grand-Mimi has to make choices .... and it hasn't been the Christmas tree!! Oh, what can I say?!?!? .... just enjoy the photos for what they are and then say a prayer for me if you feel led! ... really do! , even though I am laughing I would welcome prayer!! So pray for me ..... Or for the grandchildren, ...... or maybe for their Grandad!!! GREAT BLESSINGS to you during the upcoming SEASON OF A NEW LIFE ... the celebration of a HOPE for our hearts to know our future in the Ressurrection of Christ!

THIRST...for God

"THIRST" is the last in this series of Be Attitudes until I finish the next set. These have been so pleasant to do...."Like conversations with God." I keep thinking, WHAT is so special about them or doing them?! It is the relaxing flow of play with shapes, color, words ...like making mud pies when I was little....and the whole time I'm having those quiet conversations with God in my head. It is a wonderful time .... sometimes until 5AM!!! Sometimes when I'm in that mode, so engrossed in the play that I have ceased to exist for the world until it is finished and then I show it and say....Here I am!! And then I play catch up with sleep, chores and business all the while dreaming of the next window of time to get to go the spot (my studio) where I make "mud pies" (art!) again....til whatever hour!!..... I like the peaceful look on "THIRST'S FACE"....the words come from "The Beattitudes" in the Sermon on the mount....in MATTHEW 5...verse 6. We are anxious for Spring as I am sure everyone is.... Please pray for my friend GRACE, who lives in New Zealand with a heavy heart for her country and people after the horrible earthquake. What IS EASTER... REALLY? Is it about God's only Son paying the price to set us free...I mean really free even beyond death and suffering? Free for Eternity. Seems much more clear and special these days. Just contemplating....The Passion of Christ is graphic, but it is what He endured for all of us....not one people or person completed the fulfillment of God's Word...we all did and fulfilled God's plan. You can read all about it in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the New Testament. Or simply John 3:16,17. Have a blessed and grateful week!! Easter season or resurrection day is the biggest gift of all!! Enjoy!

EXHAUSTED BUT BATHED IN LOVE...

There is TOO MUCH to share that was wonderful and exhausting during the Antiques Fair! So I am posting the new blooms in my yard......Monday night after all had calmed down with thousands of people, I went to bed but couldn't sleep..... I finally woke up and began to cry...and cry....like a child... whimpering and all.....not because I was sad, but because I was PURELY EXHAUSTED! So Tuesday morning I got my usual cup of coffee, my three dipping hard cookies (I know, bad!!!) and my Bible and sat in my comfy porch rocker and just sat and sipped on my hot coffee. It was one of the most beautiful mornings, crisp, clear blue, blue sky, completely still, birds chirping, flying and landing all around me where the feed was, my flowers all beginning to bloom, the fragrance of my roses near by, and the sun warming everything to encourage it's growth for spring which has arrived. It was incredible beauty and I felt so "bathed" in His love and His Glory! Like He was saying...."It's okay, just rest....see what I have created for you..." I just kept saying to myself...."I LOVE YOUR "WOW" FACTOR....I Love Your "WOW" Factor...." I felt so thankful and grateful in spite of my tiredness! I looked for the word "bathed" in scripture and it took me to John 13:1-18....where Jesus is going to wash the feet of His disciples...... will we let down our hair, suck up our pride, and allow Him to wash our feet, maybe our stinky feet.... ? ....will we let Him "BATHE" us in His Love for us and "BATHE" us in His Glory...? No matter what circumstances we are in or how frustrating life might be ....can we REST in His love and let Him wash our feet? And then can we wash the feet of others...? It is a beautiful example Christ gave us to learn of His Love....Happy Easter....which is Resurrection Day!! Thanks to all of you who participated in our lives these last few weeks and thanks to you who affirmed me by loving my art! I have bare walls.... Blessings to you all.... I made some special new friends too!!