Dress Shop or Vintage?

Good Morning or Afternoon or Evening wherever you are. 

I didn't go to church this morning.  Stuffy head, achy body, cough and no rest.

I'm listening to praise and worship. I wanted to catch up on my blogging. Have I said this internet is awwwwwful! I can't get blogger to come up or anything for that matter so I'm back to the IPhone and peck, peck, peck. 

Blogging on the phone is almost impossible for me. As long as I can type, I can sit for hours and read and write. Pecking and signing on and on and on and the ADHD kicks in. I can't sit still waiting. 

It's been crazy!!! I love my retail job with The Loft Outlet. My boss almost flipped out when I told her I had maybe ten outfits and only about 5 fit. When I told her that I wasn't a clothes, shoes or jewelry person she bout fell in the floor.  I said, "You probably would not have hired me had you known?" She said, "I don't know." She laughed! But truly I think I'm not what she expected. I think she likes me but putting outfits together has been a new experience for me. I'd just rather be thrifting junk shops. Give me a box of junk and I can pull together an outfit that is inviting but give me a mannequin and I'm lost.

I'm learning, but I don't know if this will be permanent.  I can barely walk or straighten up by the time I get home. I just don't know if my body can take it. I absolutely love my boss and the atmosphere is fun! But...

Just praying for David a better paying job or me a less strenuous job. I never dreamed that finding a good paying job in Nashville would be so hard.

Just thought I'd show you a few of the things I've picked up lately. Simple is what I do best.

I picked up this fabric pumpkin at my favorite vintage store.

Yey! It's gray! I pulled out my Southern Living ironstone cake plate to display.

Something's missing. Yes! A doilie. 

The fabric felt like felt. It's so soft.

That stem! Oh how I love!!! Natural beauty is the best.  

I prefer a vignette to a dress shop display any day! Which do you prefer, one to the other or both?

A Vintage Shop

There's a vintage shop that I frequent quite often. Well, it's been less often lately. Crazy, but I have no idea what the name is. It's a little house off the highway and if you aren't looking for it, you'll miss it every time.

The outside can sometimes resemble a junk yard, the kind I like to meander around. You'll find galvanized buckets, rusty iron beds, chippy painted patio sets, farmhouse tables with probably more layers of lead paint than you or I'd care to know about, rusted tractor wheels, bobbed wire and pitch forks, more yard tools and farm equipment. 

Inside are the more refined treasures.

I'm seeing a reoccurrence of Shabby Chic, and I'm loving it. 

I'm going back this weekend in hopes to snag some of this vintage pink stuff, Pom-poms and scraps of vintage fabric.

And maybe this lamp???

Is this framed ad not just the cutest?!

I could not pay a fortune for this drawer but I can find my own and make it just as pretty for little or nothing. Yes, the wheels are turning.

Remember my pink phone? It was my friend's and I gave it back when I moved. She didn't say,"Ohhhhh, just keep it!" So I'm searching for a pink one like the white one in the ad. 

True story...A few weeks ago a friend of mine was in the hospital. Her granddaughter was there for a few hours when the phone (the land line) rang.  

My friend: "Answer the phone."

Granddaughter:  "I don't have the phone."

My friend: "That phone."

Granddaughter : "That's a phone?"

Yes, dear that would be a phone. And it's a new one, a push button. We'd definitely have to teach our grands how to dial a rotary phone. 

This bottom of a canning cupboard had great bones, more solid than anything you'd buy today. 

This is the end of today's tour.

More to Come.

Reminiscing

Today was a Bonnie-day. Yes, it was and I don't feel guilty, not one bit!

I went to try on clothes first, which I hate! I've been a sweat pants/pajama kind of girl for 5 years. 

I just drove around a bit. I noticed a sign, "Barn Sale," so I did a U-turn. Oh my goodness! I truly was on a sentimental journey.

The winding road took me back to the days of my childhood. I sat at this gate and thought of the days that my favorite cousin and I sat on the gate and talked about the boys we liked and sang songs 

to the tune of David Cassidy and The Partridge Family, "I think I love you..."

Although you can't see that the leaves are beginning to change, the feel of Autumn is in the air.

This was not the barn. The "barn" was a pre-constructed metal building and there wasn't much to see or buy. I liked this little shed instead. It reminded me of my granddaddy's shop. His shop was really a broken down shack where he kept two broken refrigerators repurposed to keep fishing bait. 

Now this I wanted to take home with me. 

This was only part of my day. I'll save the rest another day.

I have to tell you that I drove and reminisced. I shed a few good tears, yes, the good kind. I talked to a cousin on FB and we both agreed that it's time we got together.

This is My Father's World

 I'm still fighting these overwhelming feelings of sadness. There are so many people hurting, people I love back home. It would be impossible to share how long my prayer list has become. We've had one tragedy after another for several months now. A young girl killed in an accident, a friend of my sister has a heart attack and dies at 50, several of my friends are fighting cancer and enduring treatments one of which recently lost the battle, mother and her brother are killed in an accident while her husband, a friend's life hangs in the balance, a young college sophomore is accidently killed by his best friend, both families that I love. It's been overwhelming. 

I am feeling the need to hear from the Lord more than ever before. This is when I miss home, the familiar, family and friends. 

Last night I chose to put in my ear plugs and listen to a Charles Billingsly concert on YouTube rather than listen to the ridiculous presidential debate.

It's safer in this little corner of my world. 

I took the plugs out for a moment when I caught the words, "According to the law, an unborn child has no constitutional  rights." That did it! 

Trump's response to Clinton's stance secured my vote for him.

  

If God cares for the birds of the air and is pleased to give his little ones the kingdom, then He's gonna take care of his children. 

Today I slowed down a few feet from the stop sign of our subdivision to behold the beauty of the Lord. In a world of uncertainty, of this one thing I'm sure,

This is my Father's World. He is and will be King of Kings and Lord of Lords regardless of who is president of this  land.

I'm Done

Much has happened since my last post. The association with my recent employment with the home care agency has been a nightmare. 

I applied for the job and was hired on the spot. I didn't expect an immediate hire. I think they were desperate seriously and weren't not ready to be open for business. 

She suggested I come in for orientation, get everything in order, have TB test and take CPR class so that I'd be ready to go should I decide to work. The cost of both was more than I made in the two days that I worked. Stupid me!

Upon leaving the office, she said if you decide to work with us give me a call by the end of the week. I didn't call because I still didn't have a peace about it. Oh, I should have listened to my gut! 

She called me and asked why I hadn't called. She passively-aggressively stated that she had the one client for me and I would be perfect but she had to know she could depend on me. The ball initially was in my court, no pressure she said. I was to call her. When she questioned my dependability, I caved and took the job.

Of course, you know how the story ended. I took the the job and knew it wasn't going to work out. I called her and told that it just wasn't a good fit for me...

I have received several emails from her that my time sheet was not complete. Now this is ONE visit. She even said if I wanted to get paid that I had to return to the clients house and have her sign off on it. Mind you, it was initialed and that's all that was required after each visit. Had I completed one more visit, I would have gotten her signature because it was the end of the pay period,

The training was not adequate as she was basically running the office, answering the phone and tending to her personal business while training. There are three different ways to complete clock in and out depending on the client's insurance. Different numbers to call and different time sheets depending on the client's needs and mileage. I worked one day! One day! She continues to harass me with emails. She personally is going to have to make a trip to the clients home, blah, blah, blah. By law she had to pay me but, blah, blah, blah.,,

The story is probably not over as I finally spoke to her about the inadequate training that we received. However, I told her that I was done with the discussion and that I would no longer be corresponding with her in this manner.

On a good note, I have a part time job in retail at the outlet mall only 10 minutes from my house. Today is my second day. I'm tired, but I have a great team. My manager is priceless. When I left yesterday, she said, "Bonnie, I like you. I think you are going to be a great member of our team."  I almost cried.

This is now what my day

Looks like,

A walk through those doors...

And this.

I've traded these...

for these.

I've got much to learn but it's fun and good-bye to health care.

I Need a Little Color in My Life

Again, I find myself stuck, overwhelmed, 

heavy-hearted, unsure and depressed. 

I wonder where these feelings come from, 

what is the source?

Is there really a source at all?

Sometimes, there is no explanation

for this heaviness. 

It comes out of nowhere, 

just the malady that is attached to me. 

In my quiet time, this morning, 

I think otherwise. 

I need some color in my life.

I find the source.

The Lord has walked me through 

His Word since our move. 

I know that the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy.

There is a spiritual battle that I don't always recognize. 

Today, I do.

It comes in many forms..

Expectations from others, 

some realistic and valid 

and some of my own making. 

Either way, 

I try to please others. 

Someone posted on Facebook this week, 

a devotion from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young,

"Your concern to please others,

dampens your desire to please me, 

Your Creator.

These feelings often come when I step out 

in faith to do what God has called me to do. 

I am facilitating the start of a women's group.

I won't say I am leading because

I don't want the attention

and...what if it fails.

I know I'm being really venerable here, 

but right now, REAL is all I can do.

I'm supposed to be the strong one, right.

I'm the leader, the teacher.

So, I'm sitting on my back porch, 

asking God to make sense out of me.

I took a job this week, that I realize is too much for me. 

I came home, overwhelmed and spent.

I'm not 26 or 36 or even 46.

I'm not in the best health and I'm overweight.

My first assignment,

1.  Deep clean the bathrooms. Scrub the grout, 

the tile floors, and shower walls and door.

Clean the toilets, the sinks and the granite 

counter tops with granite cleaner.

2.  Dust bedrooms and all the trinkets.

Vacuuming, sweep and mop floors.

3.  Wash bedding and make beds.

4. Sort and do laundry.

all in my 3-hour shift.

When I asked her to sign my time sheet, 

she said the time was 3 hours, that I had stopped working 

30 minutes before when I was actually still working 

even as we were speaking.

As I said, I'm used to working hard, 

my body and back just can't do it anymore. 

I took on the task of being a caregiver.

I know that cleaning is part of caring for the elderly.

Thing is, this lady was only a few years older than I, 

was retired with an obviously magnificent retirement, 

with a magnificent house of which even I could not manage. 

I won't rattle on and on. 

Right now, our needs are greater than my husband's income. 

I know we bought a home, but rent was more than a home. 

So, much going on in this head. 

I think I'm gonna try to get a little closer 

to the color.  I think I need a little more than just white

in my life right now.

Jesus paints a beautiful picture, 

and not always in black and white,

right?

Family

I have accepted a position with ResCare, 

a home health agency that provides care 

for the homebound client.

I will be a direct care provider. 

It's taken me a few weeks to accept the position  

after training, orientation, and

considering other jobs in retail.

.

Basically, I will be a companion.

I will do light housekeeping, transport 

the client to appointments,

assist with shopping needs, etc.

My first client is a sweet little lady

who lives alone in a very nice house

and needs very little care. 

I just know that I love people.

I love to serve people.

Sometimes it's easy and sometimes it's not.

But, I can't let fear of what might be 

keep me from using the gift that God has given me. 

Okay, let's see if those photos will load.

This is my silly, 13 year old niece.

Yes, a typical 13 year old.

This is her crazy mom, my sister. 

It looks like they are having a serious moment. 

Nope!  Sarah turned away from the camera.

No more pictures!

She will always have my heart, my little girl.

She was more than upset when we moved. 

She's asked me more times that I can't count, 

"Aunt Bonnie, do you love me now as much as you did."

Getting in the paddle boats was a trip!

She was screaming and I was laughing.

The guys were fishing and I waved across the lake.

She's like, 

"Aunt Bonnie, you are embarresing me.

You are just like my mom!"

They stopped fishing before we stopped paddling. 

We had a blast!

Look who's hiding. 

She's a straight mess, but a pure delight and joy!

Well, that is when she's not being moody.

She had me all to herself this weekend so she was happy.

I miss my brother and his family.

It's been too long and I pray daily for reconciliation.

I'm realizing my part in the distance. 

I am asking God to give me an opportunity to make things right.

Although, there were words harshly spoiken on both sides, 

I feel that it is I who needs to extend the olive branch.

Hope you enjoyed my trip as much as we did.

Bonnie:)

A Weekend Mountain Trip

We took a brief trip with my sister and family to their cabin

in Cleveland, Georgia. 

It was the shortest and most fun trip

we have taken in awhile.

The girls (me, my niece, and my sister)

took a little walk around Mountain Lake Resorts.

We stayed in Timber Creek cabins, 

which was far from a resort, 

but we felt like were on a youth retreat or at summer camp.

I found another barn to photograph.
While I was taking a picture, a donkey arrived on the scene.

We went down by the creek and I almost fell in trying to get
a picture of us sitting on a rock.

We laughed until we cried.

My niece says I'm as crazy as her mama.
That's a compliment.

We rode paddle boats and I almost
turned the boat over and once again almost fell in.

Even my niece, got in on that one.

We played putt-putt, ate ice cream, fished
and played BINGO.

I wish my pictures would download,
but since they don't,
you'll just have to imagine the fun we had.

The babies and children didn't go.
I thought about them and considered how
much they would enjoy the boats and fishing,
but it was good not to worry about their safety
and good not to have to care for anyone else.

It was a fun time enjoyed by everyone.

My DIL Loves Fall

The last two weeks I have been sending out resumes and completing applications and interviewing. It's actually been kinda fun getting dressed in professional attire. I have a few basic pieces that I wear and I mix and match. Skirts and cardigans are always a career-yes!

As you know, for some time I have been in a blogging funk. I haven't taken many photos because I have done very little decorating. You've seen everything there's to see in my house right now. No changes in color schemes and no added features. 

So, I'll show you the rest of my daughter's in law's Fall decorating. Fall is her favorite time of year and she does as much for Fall as she does for Christmas.

The entry chalkboard is my favorite thing in her home. I've been keeping my eyes open for a piece like this.  Everything in Nashville is 3x what I'd pay in Georgia.

No can-do!

The dining room furniture is 1920 Art Deco. This is her favorite era and she has full sets in both bedrooms. I think I've blogged her pieces before.

I painted the canvas art two or three years ago. I can't believe she puts it out every year. It's certainly amateur. 

There's a little something in her every nook and cranny. 

I really need to pull what little I have out, but oh well ... It will be Christmas soon.

Burlap Added to the Box

It's feeling like Fall in Nashville.

Just wanted to share a few photos.

 This is what I did with the wooden box that I got from Amy's Vintage Sale.

I added some burlap to fill in the rotted bottom. 

Remember this?

No one would ever know.

Moving things around a bit makes me smile.

Adding a little color this year. First year in forever that I've had a real orange pumpkin.

I had the baby girl all weekend so I had only a few morning minutes to myself.

She kept me busy. She enjoyed wearing her mommy's broken tiara and coloring with her 30 year old crayons. 

Her mommy had another alumni show to do.

We were all sick. She threw up and was sick all the way to GA and was hoarse. 

However, she can sing when she can't speak.

Can you tell, I'm her biggest fan. 

It's been a week of ups and downs, highs and lows, fears and faith and smiles and tears. 

But God is God in the good times and bad, thus I will still praise Him.