Will she go out today?

Somedays...not unless I receive a call requiring my help with a task.  I met Ted at the storage unit to "help" pick up one of his toolboxes.  Turns out...he did all the heavy lifting...he just needed my vehicle for hauling the drawers and offering a hand to steady the loading process.

Somedays...I am already going to be out and plan to check off a couple more errands while I am "in town".  I discovered a small nail in the front passenger tire.  Ted checked things over and it was time for the van to get new tires!  We do a lot of driving around here.

Somedays...I just need to leave the house and go for a drive to the post office or Dollar General.
 

Somedays...I get called to bring a medical device to work.  Since I am halfway to the P.O. Box and my favorite thrift store...I keep going.  Double Trouble Thrift has put out Christmas things already!  This display stopped me in my tracks and I went tripping down memory lane as tears welled up in my eyes!  "Vintage" Avon bottles...and I had everyone of them once upon a time!  Mom would buy us the Christmas specials of lotion and chapstick for our stockings.  She would get the bottles of perfume for one of our gifts....ahhh, Sweet Honesty was my favorite!  I would tip it carefully on my wrists and dab it behind my ears.  I was tempted to buy one of each...the bells, ornament, and angel.  BUT $4 for a bottle of something that now smells like old alcohol...didn't seem to make sense to my frugal brain.  A picture...that will do...because the memories of sweet Christmases are forever etched in my mind.  

Fall is a hesitant visitor...

The cool of the mornings and the cloud formations hint of fall!  I make sure to grab my sweatshirt as we go out for the morning potty walk.  We then head into the garage to check on the bunnies.  Oakley is often not ready to go in to visit.

My trip to Rural King the other day was so pretty...now to add the colors of the trees!

I had to get another cage and water bottle.  I also added some other goodies.  I want to make pumpkin granola!  And the t-shirt was just funny...seeing that I am adding chickens to my life!  

Velle had her turn at the groomers.

And I came home to my sourdough spilling out of the bowl!  Almost time to bake....one more stretch and fold.

We put together the cage for our newest rabbit so Velle could have her cage back.

Checked the pool...yep, we are done for the season!  BRRRR!

Freshly baked bread...MMMM!  I did a taste test.

Thursday night downstairs...listening to music and meditating...

and I put more cards together.

Friday's drive to Knoxville to be there for our girl...

we are thankful for how God meets every need we have.  Sometimes being an adult is not fun!  Sometimes you have to do the hard thing...not knowing what the outcome will be.  Sometimes God calls you to stand up and be the voice...for others who will follow you.  Every time...God gives an answer right away...Yes, No, or Wait.  We are thankful for answers/solutions that come right away...when that is not what we expected.  His plans are better.

A lunch together to just praise Him for working in all the details of the situation.  It was a nice vacation day for Ted on 9-25-2026.  We enjoyed large sweet teas with a hint of orange to give a donation to the children's hospital in remembrance of Dolly.

Setting out fall decor because it now feels more like the season.

Saturday was a beautiful day to be outside!

We got to see some junk left by the previous owner get hauled away by someone who wanted it for the scrap metal.  The tractor came in very handy!

Thank you, Lord, for your provision in all things...small and big!  

I dead-headed zinnias.  There are still many blooms to enjoy!  The plants are liking the sunny, cooler weather.  Two little peppers!  And several more tomatoes are coming!

A good day's work!  The bunnies are off the floor.

I was able to mow for Ted, so he could build the stands.

Saturday night's full moon rising...

 

This came up as a memory...

Oh...my...the...memories!  So very grateful for all that God has done and is doing in our lives!
 

It is the little things in life that make each day special!

A red tomato and a pink zinnia!

Sunflowers and zinnias from our garden!

Deer playing in field across the way.

Produce from our first ever garden.

A spunky little dog...NOT using the potty pad correctly!  She is playing in the WRONG place with her toys.

Weekend company!  Time with our grown-up chair fillers is ALWAYS a blessing!

Saturday morning Swedish pancake breakfast for my girl...and me too.

A new dip recipe for my guy!  Dill pickle dip...but this time made with Sweet Heat Pickles.  YUM!

Such a beautiful first tomato!!!

And it tasted so good on sourdough toast!

Time in the Walmart oil change waiting room on Sunday afternoon proved to be very interesting.  An older, southern bred and born man noticed the canning jars in my cart and that started a conversation that was enjoyable!  I learned as I asked him questions...a gardener and canner.  His garden is done for the year...wait, WHAT?  He plants early.  Some people get two and three plantings down here!  I was intrigued listening.  He cheered us on in our learning the art of gardening and putting up our harvest.  "Hopefully, you will end up with a mess of green beans too!"

I have noticed that people who are out and about here will look at you and acknowledge your presence.  If you say "Hello" or even smile, it prompts a conversation depending on the situation.  If we just put our phones down and looked up...we would notice the people that God puts in our path!  Just an every day conversation brought a smile to both our faces...and I learned a few things.  You never know who needs some kindness and a moment or two of your time. PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN...and see people!

 

We are getting promoted to GRANDPARENTS!

Teddy and Sloan shared their news with us on Mother's Day...and we kept the secret!

They announced it to the rest of their friends and family on Father's Day...using the outfit that we brought Teddy home!  I cannot even believe that little guy grew up to be the man he is now...yet...he did!  We had the privilege of watching and helping him.

Wow!  From parents to grandparents...we shall see what our names will be!  What we do know...we will do our best to make visits to Grandma and Grandpa's house full of fun memories...just like our parents did for our children!

 

A hurting heart today on Mom's 2nd birthday in Heaven

This was our last picture together.  I didn't know it would be.  Ted and I traveled to Florida in May.  He had a conference to attend and spent time with Mom.  We were able to be there for Mother's Day with our Mothers!  I am glad we took the time to take the pictures and to grab another hug.  I am glad I learned to slow down when I would visit in Florida.  I am glad I was able to fly down to be with her and Dad multiple times.  I am glad that God showed me when to go down and provided all the details in June of 2024.  I am thankful for the hours at her side in the hospital.  My heart hurts that she is not here to share all the changes that life has brought these last two years.  I ache to talk to her.  I would love to be the one to tell her that I am going to be a Grandma.  I wish she could come visit us in TN with Dad to our house on the hill.  But God had other plans for all of us, and I don't want her to miss the joys of Heaven.  I will spend time being thankful for the time God gives us with our family and friends...pouring into others just like she did!

 

June 24...a Happy Golden Birthday!

I saw the beautiful colors of sunrise at 6:00 am, thanks to Oakley!  Later, the fog rolled in till the sun got higher to burn it all off.  What a pretty morning as I got to work to finish up the last parts of a special delivery!  

Fresh strawberries to go into cupcakes!  Homemade buttercream that I was hoping wouldn't melt!

I filled the cupcake liners too full and they baked into each other.  Next time...less will work better!

I packed up lunch, birthday treats, the dogs, and we drove to Knoxville to be with the girls!  Such a beautiful day for a drive!

Pink and gold...whoops, Alisa's Christmas placements...added more color.

We sang to her and asked her to make a birthday wish as she blew out candles...2 candles and 4 candles for 24!  Mom has botched multiple opportunities for birthday plans this year. I forgot to go back and grab the gold 24 I had found at Hobby Lobby.  In my defense, I was not supervised in my favorite store and wandered the rows, overwhelmed by all the pretty things!  I had not been in several months.

The day's plans were lowkey and involved a day spent inside away from people.  No fanciness!  And I have learned to not snap pictures when we are in the relaxed, no makeup, messy hair, and lounge clothes state.  Just three girls and three dogs...food, treats, chick flick, naps, and quiet!  I hope and pray they felt re-energized to be adulty and peopley today!  Working in and with the public is no joke these days.

Happy Birthday to our sweet Alisa!  and Ashlynn too!  She had a June birthday too.

It was yummy!

Oh the memories!

Our sweet girls!  And we didn't even take a picture together...again!  We have been together a couple of times and have not documented it well for the memories for the blog.  We will next time!

I am in awe of how fast the years have gone by as I look at pictures and then get to watch our young women!  24 and 25 and the best of friends...and I now know how my Mother felt every time we all got together.  Thankful...teary...blessed...