Grief

It's the typical melancholy kinda Sunday evening.

 

Sunday evenings are always hard for me.

 

Before Mama got sick, she made breakfast every Sunday night after church.

We didn't have to wait for her to ask.

The kids said, "We're going to Nanny's."

And we did.

 

After she was admitted to the nursing home,

every Sunday evening I did a smaller version of what she did.

Yes, Daddy learned to like the frozen biscuits just as well

with of course, cane syrup.

 

As his diabetes got out of control and I began to monitor his blood sugar,

I would often hide the syrup and say I had forgotten to buy it.

 

In the end, when he was so grief-stricken that he could hardly eat,

I'd get out the syrup.

 

Remember Mary Poppin's, "Just a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down."

...And the sugar go up!

 

 

I attended a memorial service today

given by Hospice Advantage

 to celebrate the life of those loved and lost.

 

It was beautiful!

 

Grief is personal. 

 

I loved how the Chaplain acknowledged pain.

 

He said he had known a lady who grieved the loss of her mother for 9 years.

In the Lord, she found healing.

He in no way, minimized her years of pain. 

He simply said that it is okay to grieve

and healing would come.

 

I went to hear a friend sing, "No More Night."

I was comforted and encouraged beyond words.

 

 

I told someone the other day, "It's been two years.  I should be over my grief."

 

He said, "Who says?"

 

Yeah, "Who says?"

I don't want my grief to define me,

but I don't want to ever forget the pain either.

 

I hope that I am forever changed by my loss.

 

I hope that because I have been comforted, I can in turn comfort others.

 



The Character of the Old Merges with the NEW

Those of you who follow me, know the deep appreciation I have for history-

especially when it comes to my own small town.

 

We have a new place in town.

I say "NEW."

 

I guess I should say,

"NEW, OLD Place in town,"

and

I'm LOVING IT!

 

It's the Pringle Building in Small Town, USA,

Washington County, Georgia.

Before Construction

 

For the next few weeks,

I'll be featuring several stages of its contruction and renovation.

 

I love small businesses.

 

We are the Heart of America.

 

In an attempt to lower prices for the consumer, Corporate America has

tried to push us right off the planet, however we continue to prevail!

 

 

My thoughts are

"You may take a man out of his small town

But you can't the small town out of the man."

 

 A gentleman from a neighboring county came in the shop this morning.

He had lived in Atlanta for years.

Looking toward retirement, but not quite there,

he moved back to his

small town in hopes of finding some simplicity.

 

He said, "I'm loving this peaceful, easy feeling."

He has a sweet little booth in Greensboro, Georgia.

 

Can I say I love Greensboro Antique Mall!!!

 

I would love to see our small town become a Greensboro or Madison, GA kind of town. 

 

 

I think we may be on to something here.

 

 

A few years ago, a young entrepeneur, Joey Giddens 

started his own business, Geo.'s Quarters.

A simple, but elegant gift shop on the square in downtown Sandersville, Georgia, 

Joey features fine and affordable gifts including

antiques, fine china, crystal, home decor, invitations and personalized gift cards and invitations.

 

The shop features several items unique to its Washington County customers.

Washington County Pewter Plates feature historical sites including

The Pastime Theatre, The Dairylane, The Washington County Courthouse, The Brown House, The Paris House, and several other local landmarks.

The Georgia Plate is also sold at Geo.'s Quarters.

 

Visit Joey on the web at www.gqgifts.com

 

 

In 1997, Al Woods founded Warthen Lane Interiors in what is referred to on their website as, "a sleepy little town in Warthen, Georgia."

 

Al is an incredible artist in floral and interior design. 

In 2008, he relocated to downtown Sandersville where he specializes in

antiques, flowers, gifts, interior design and event planning.

 

To learn more about Al's beginnings and bonus attractions visit him at

www.warthenlaneinteriors.com

 

Both men have a vision for Washington County and the small business.

Both men saw the potential of one of the oldest buildings in Washington County,

The Pringle Building.

 

Thus, the jouney...

 

 

 

 

 

Renovation began.

 

 

The challenge and success in historical renovation

is knowing how to restore the bones

without removing the character.

 

This building has great bones!

 

 

Behind the sealed windows, I got a peek inside.

 

 

When I spotted the RED and BLACK

I knew it was going to be a HIT

in Bulldog Country!

(Oops! Tech fans, I think I spot alittle gold back there!)

 

I absolutely adore the natural brick!

You just can't find that kind of character in a new building.

 

 

Moving right along...

 

 

flooring goes down.

 

 

Wow!  After a third coat, the floors are beautiful and the place looks like a gallery!

 

A Sneak Preview of Warthen Lane Interiors

Opening Monday, October 1

 

 

Geo.'s Quarters is preparing to move.

The store will be open Monday and Tuesday for final

clearance and markdowns.

Shop now with discounts on everything!

 

The Grand Opening for Geo.'s Quarters and Warthen Lane Interiors

in their new location, The Pringle Building,

will be October 13, the day of the annual

Kaolin Festival.

 

 

Outside complete with awnings.

WOW!

 

I'm sold and I've yet to see inside.

 

More to Come....

 

Bonnie:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fall Youth Activities

Blogging began as a way of dealing with my grief

and expressing my pain.

 

Maybe I'm still there, because my emotions continue to ebb and flow.

Each major holiday, season or event signals a whole new range of feelings.

 

However, blogging has opened up an avenue to make new friends, share common interests, and connect with those who share my love for finds, faith and family.

 

 

With the approaching of a new season (Thank God for change!)

I am remembering that being a PK (preacher's kid)

wasn't always so bad.

 

Mama became the youth director so that her children, she said,
could have some "good, clean fun."
 

Every season brought new activities.

 

The old blue and white bus took us all over the state of Georgia.

For a teenager, being broken down on the side of the road

into the wee hours of the morning was FUN!

 

 

Teen Bible Quizzing always began in September.

At 10 years old, I got to tag along because mama was the coach.

 

On one particular quiz, we were going to Savannah Georgia for an invitational quiz.

It was a spend-the-night-event.

I "sassed" mama and was grounded.

I begged for a whipping!
(I hear in Delaware, they lock parents up for that-a whipping, that is!)

Fall Retreat was always a highlight of the year.

Afterglows were youth events after church. 

Mama was a great event planner. 

I am who I am today because I had a mama who knew how to have fun.

She exchanged the dress, long-line and girdle for a pair of pants

and we hit the highway!

 

She handed the baton off to us and we continued tradition.

 

White-water rafting. 

 

Left at 3:00 p.m, took a ride up the Appalachian trails (not on our schedule of events)  

and made it to camp at 3am. 

 

There was Toccoa before the flood took away the Falls.

Most of us made it to the top.

There was Epworth-by-the Sea and God forbid I ever see another sardine.

Who started that anyway???

Had to throw the suitcase, clothes and all away!!!

Girls in the boys dorm.

Male chaperons?  Really??? Yeah, right!

We did have some determined girls, though!

 

Lock-in Retreats

 

Was this Jail-break?

 

Hayrides, "weenie" roasts and roasted marshmallows around a campfire, haunted houses (before someone said it was wrong), fall festivals, football games, Wink, Fruit Basket Turnover, and

If You Love Me Honey Smile, womanless beauty pageants, peanut boils, and Nazarene Night at

Six Flags Over Georgia.

All Fall Fun!

After 30+ years, you'd think Mr. H would grow tired of tailgating

 with the youth on a Fall Friday night.

No sirree!

 

I'm blogging.

He's enjoying the youth on a Fall Evening.

 

 

 

 

 

 



Roses Will Bloom Again

Roses will bloom again

Just wait and see

Don't mourn what might have been

Only God knows how and when

But, roses will bloom again.

 

Rose was his only sweetheart
His loving wife for 40 (60) years
He cherished every day they had
And held his memories dear
He never dramed he'd bury Rose
And go on to live alone
When he laid his rose to rest
He looked to heaven and tried his best
To remember

Roses will bloom again
Just wait and see
Don't mourn what might have been
Only God knows how and when
But, roses will bloom again.
(written by Marcia Bloodworth Henry)
Sang by Jeff and Sheri Easter

 

 

The anniversary of mama's death was last Thursday.

 

We had ground-breaking on Sunday for the

Christian Life Center that Daddy envisioned.

It was a bitter-sweet day.

 

I've learned today that "The Wise Builder" that I recently

blogged about is soon to cross over.

He's caught a glimpse of heaven and he's said, "Let me go."

 

We close on the home place on Friday.

My sister told her kids,

"Tomorrow's the last day we'll get to fish at granddaddy's."

 

 

The amaryllis were mama's favorite.

Somewhere in there, is the one that was given to her in memory of her baby boy.

 

 

Pansies always lined the front porch.

 

 

Azalea beds always surrounded the trees.

 

 

The view from the back porch will be forever etched in my memory.

 

The kids fishing with their Granddaddy.

 

Feeding the ducks with Nanny and shooting

firecrackers to keep the geese away.

 

Shooting baskets with the cousins.

 

Riding the golf cart with Granddaddy.

 

Nanny's biscuits and breakfast on Sunday nights.

 

Granddaddy reading the Christmas Story.

 

All Precious Memories.

 

The house, no longer belongs to us.

The memories are ours to treasure.

 

Roses will bloom again,

 

Bonnie

 

Sorry for the poor images.  These were taken from a copy of stored photos.

 

 



A Lady and Her Purse

 

My mama was always a "Preacher's Wife."

A Preacher's Wife was always a lady.

 

 

There were just certain standards that a Preacher's wife had to uphold,

certain codes of behavior and dress.

 

For example, mama NEVER wore "slacks" until I was in high school.

 

Well, on second thought, neither did I until 7th grade

and those were the kind with the permanent stitches seam up the middle.

Permanent knit, did they call it?

Stretchy and butt-clinging!

That was PE only!

 

Oh yeah, back to the standards of a Preacher's wife.

 

She was always a lady.

 

Now what constitues a lady???

 

A purse and matching shoes, a long-line bra, a girdle and hose. 

 

The girdle required garters before panty hose came along.

Mama said, "Thank God for panty hose."

 

 

 

There were always rules:

 

Rule #1:  Never open a lady's purse.

 

 

Why?

 

Because you may find "feminine hygiene products."

BKA, kotex and tampax.

 

Answer me,

Why were all sanitary pads called "Kotex," and all tampons called "tampax."

Was it that way everywhere or only in the south.

 

Mama had these little pink, plastic thingies to conceal her "feminine products."

 

Rule #2:  Never take money from your mom's purse. That was stealing.

 

Answer me,

When did they change the rule?

My kids didn't get that one!

 

Rule #3:  Never Plunder!

If it's not yours, it's not yours to go through.

 

Answer me,

Does anyone agree that it wasn't really an issue of plundering?

Mama  hid her gum and candy in there and didn't want to share!

 

Rule #4:  Never wipe your nose on mama's hankie.

This one is my rule.

Who wants someone else's snot!

 

Rule #5:  Nothing to do with a purse but all to do with being a lady.

Mama said, "Always wear clean underwear, a good bra and girdle.

You never know when you may be in a wreck.

 

She told me after the accident when my little brother was killed.

"I had just bought a new bra and girdle and they had to cut them

off of me. Goes to show what I've said all along."

 

 

I found the black and white purses at the local Salvation Army.

I couldn't resist.

Aren't they just lovely?

 

 

 

 

The purse and the heels, doesn't she look like a lady?

 

Always a preacher's wife, always a lady.

 

That was my mama!

 

Blessings!

 

Bonnie:)

 

 

 

 

 

 



White Lace and Promises

If you were a teen of the 70's you can't think of "White Lace and Promises,"  without

finishing the song, "a kiss for luck and we're on our way.  We've only just begun."

 

 

I loved the music of The Carpenters. 
I knew every song and with the windows down in a '65 blue Nova,
I sang to the top of my lungs.

Karen Carpenter had the perfect alto voice.
Her alto/soprano was my perfect key of C or Bflat.
(More flat than B!) 

She and Anne Murray were my favorites

because I could sing along.

Promise is like a gift wrapped in a pink bow.

 

 

I don't know about you, but in a world gone mad, I need some PROMISE!

 

A Promise is defined as "a declaration that something will or will not be done;

a commitment by someone to do or not do something."

 

A special promise would be a VOW, COVENANT.

 

Joyce Meyers wrote a book, "The Mind is a Battlefield."

Because I believe this to be true, I must have some promises that I can lean on daily,

that I can affirm and declare.

 

 

I find these promises in Jesus...

(in my own words)

 

In Christ I can do all things. (Philippians 4:13)

 

All the promises of God are fulfilled.  In Christ they are yes and yes and amen and amen.

(2 Corinthians 1:20)

 

Because I am in Christ, nothing can separate me from the love of God.

(Romans 8:39)

 

In Christ, I have redemption.

(1 Corinthians 1:30)

 

I have 10,000 guardians in Christ.

(and you say you don't believe in angels!)

(1 Corinthians 4:15)

 

In Christ, I stand firm.

(2 Corinthians 1:21)

 

In Christ, I am made NEW-literally a new creation!

(2 Corinthians 5:17)

 

One of my favorites,

In Christ, I am blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing.

(Ephesians 1:3)

 

I could go on and on and on...

 

I asked Rebecca Nelson from A Gathering Place to paint me a sign.

I am so happy to have found her friendship.

She is a treasure.

 

 

Hidden among the leaves, you'll find her signature. 

Just like her, not to draw attention to who she is.

 

Her friendship has renewed by trust in friendship

and gives me promise!

 

 

I recently bought a package of her tags.

Everything she does sings, "Promise."

 

 

It's in the place of quiet trust, that I find promise.

 

I hope you've found your place of promise.

 

I also hope when you open my blog that you'll burst into song:)

 

We've Only Just Begun,

Bonnie

 

 

 

 

 



A Rustic Southern Wedding

Dance and cheer

+

Football and baseball

=

Young Love

(and we called it puppy love....)

 

After years of growing together, studying together, teaching together,

and living out a life of faith together,

I think we can no longer call it young love.

 

That precious young love, has become the kind that is commited to each other,

a love that lasts a lifetime.

 

Thus the day unfolds...

 

 

with lots of burlap, sunflowers and natural elements.

 

 

A church packed to full-capacity, balcony full, and standing room only,

is evidence of great families with great kids.

 

 

This way please!

 

 

 

Through the field we go!

I just love the natural wooden signs!

 

 

Friends and family anxiously await,

 

 

the arrival of the bride and groom on a horse-drawn buggy.

 

 

Straw bales and galvanized buckets held lots of goodies including

birdseed bags,

 

 

bottles of RC cola and Coke,

 

 

bottled water labeled with their names and wedding date,

 

 

and Moon Pies to complete the feel of a country wedding

and in honor of the couple's last name, MOON:)

 

 

The kids were crazy about getting to open a bottle drink.

 

 

The old wash stand held some of the moon pies.

 

A water pump and

 

Grandma C's bonnet brought us a feeling of nostalgia.

I just imagine she was there:)

 

 

 

Nothing more rustic than burlap and a cowboy boot.

 

 

Ball jars for iced tea and cold lemonade.

 

There were some really old square ones that I spotted while I washing dishes.

They don't know that I keep a box in my truck for pickin':)

 

 

A beautiful first day of Autumn, one of my nursery babies in a tie and all grown up, and a CocaCola in a bottle, just doesn't get much better than that!

 

 

The photo doesn't do the cake and the backdrop justice.

It was perfect, beautiful and yummy!

 

 

You may take the boy out of the country,

but you can't take the country out of the boy!

 

 

I got me a hug!

 

 

It was a fun wedding.

The groom was a hoot and he pulled out all his stunts.  The bride was absolutely BEEEEUUUTIFUL!

Everyone laughed and cried and danced and ate and just had a good ol'

time.

 

Congratulations, Bobby and Hayle Moon.

We love you!

 

Last night I thought, well this is just about it!  We've married all our youngins'.

 

However, as I watched the youth that we've taught go through the line today,

I thought, "Oh, no, we've got a long way to go!"

 

I wonder if these two will be next.