I was listening to the 102.9 Beatles' hour this morning, and afterwards, "behold", Christmas music began playing! I'm a die-hard Christmas music fan, so this made my day!!
(For those of you who think it's too early, please close your ears:))
At work, at the 'Card' shop, we are not allowed to play music anymore, other than snippets of the Cd's we sell, because of copyright laws:( (Our company would have to pay a yearly royalty fee for each store they own) To me this is an example of laws being taken to the extreme. All the sales associates miss it, and customers miss out on one of joyful and uplifting parts of the Christmas season.
So I will tune in to 102.9 and listen to my iPod to get my holiday inspiration, and hope we get to hear beautiful Christmas music in public somewhere this time of year. Keep your ears open!
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Friday, November 02, 2007
On The Job 12-5pm
Another day at the office--whew!
Checked in at the store at noon, things were hustling & bustling; grabbed my purple apron.
Headed out to Lowe's to buy Christmas garland and Christmas lights.
Got out the hammer and nails and wire, loaded them into my apron, and toted the tall ladder out from the "catacombs" into the store to hang the garland from a shelf on each side of the shop. The garland was pretty, pretty:)
Next, put the tree together and fluffed it up and out:)
Placed it in the front of the store and began putting on the mini white lights.
Needed more lights so left again to buy two more boxes.
Lights on, snowflake tree topper on and blinking; now for the ornaments:)
Hang various and sundry cute Hallmark ornaments:)
A pretty, brightly lit little tree, decorated for the Holiday Open House at Hallmark--a happy tree:)
Whoa, what a job!!!
Luv it:)
Checked in at the store at noon, things were hustling & bustling; grabbed my purple apron.
Headed out to Lowe's to buy Christmas garland and Christmas lights.
Got out the hammer and nails and wire, loaded them into my apron, and toted the tall ladder out from the "catacombs" into the store to hang the garland from a shelf on each side of the shop. The garland was pretty, pretty:)
Next, put the tree together and fluffed it up and out:)
Placed it in the front of the store and began putting on the mini white lights.
Needed more lights so left again to buy two more boxes.
Lights on, snowflake tree topper on and blinking; now for the ornaments:)
Hang various and sundry cute Hallmark ornaments:)
A pretty, brightly lit little tree, decorated for the Holiday Open House at Hallmark--a happy tree:)
Whoa, what a job!!!
Luv it:)
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Memories of a NC Fire
Years ago, eons ago, the Sandhills farming community of Roseland, where I grew up, had a devastating fire. It was in April of 1963, I believe, and my baby brother was tiny enough to be in diapers. The reason I remember that is because we left our house so quickly we didn't even grab extra diapers:( Of course I was twelve then and wouldn't have been thinking too clearly!
And my mama was away, had been to Raleigh with my Grandma Blue, for a recognition dinner in honor of women nominated as N. C. Mother of the Year, of which my Grandma was one--now that was pretty neat:) And my daddy was working second shift at the textile mill in Aberdeen.
We had an older couple sitting with us, the Throwers, who panicked when they heard about the fire, so they packed us into their car and figured they'd "skedaddle" to their house to save what they could.
Amazingly my daddy appeared before the Throwers pulled out of the driveway and he began throwing our bikes and whatever else he could think of, or reach, into the newly plowed field beside the house. (The mill had let folks go home to save what they could) He decided to stay with our house and hose it down until the danger had passed.
So off we went, stopping at the Throwers, heading from one neighbor's house to another, till we found a neighbor's home where folks were congregating and figuring out what to do--my friend Kay's house, about 8 miles away, in Narrow Ridge.
As the evening wore on, my mama was experiencing great distress trying to make her way home. There were roadblocks set up to keep everyone out of harm's way. She had a dickens of a time getting through, especially since the smoke was pretty bad, but "nobody can stop a mama when she's looking for her family"! Daddy must have told her we set off with the Throwers, but where did we go?! She had no idea. I guess she drove and asked around, eventually figuring it out:) Whew!
By nightfall we heard on TV that a chainsaw spark had ignited the fire and it had spread over acres and acres of dry land. I was intrigued that we were watching our community on TV getting updates about us and our area!
No one lost their life, and few buildings were burned due to folks protecting their barns, outbuildings and homes, by keeping them doused with water, but it was a scary time. I remember going back to our house late that night seeing tiny sparks, like candles, all through the woods. Our dear minister was standing in the driveway with my daddy. What a sight:)
Soot stayed in our window sills for years....
The saddest part to me was that Roseland never looked the same till a few years ago....40+ years later:(
And for my other fire story, another time......
And my mama was away, had been to Raleigh with my Grandma Blue, for a recognition dinner in honor of women nominated as N. C. Mother of the Year, of which my Grandma was one--now that was pretty neat:) And my daddy was working second shift at the textile mill in Aberdeen.
We had an older couple sitting with us, the Throwers, who panicked when they heard about the fire, so they packed us into their car and figured they'd "skedaddle" to their house to save what they could.
Amazingly my daddy appeared before the Throwers pulled out of the driveway and he began throwing our bikes and whatever else he could think of, or reach, into the newly plowed field beside the house. (The mill had let folks go home to save what they could) He decided to stay with our house and hose it down until the danger had passed.
So off we went, stopping at the Throwers, heading from one neighbor's house to another, till we found a neighbor's home where folks were congregating and figuring out what to do--my friend Kay's house, about 8 miles away, in Narrow Ridge.
As the evening wore on, my mama was experiencing great distress trying to make her way home. There were roadblocks set up to keep everyone out of harm's way. She had a dickens of a time getting through, especially since the smoke was pretty bad, but "nobody can stop a mama when she's looking for her family"! Daddy must have told her we set off with the Throwers, but where did we go?! She had no idea. I guess she drove and asked around, eventually figuring it out:) Whew!
By nightfall we heard on TV that a chainsaw spark had ignited the fire and it had spread over acres and acres of dry land. I was intrigued that we were watching our community on TV getting updates about us and our area!
No one lost their life, and few buildings were burned due to folks protecting their barns, outbuildings and homes, by keeping them doused with water, but it was a scary time. I remember going back to our house late that night seeing tiny sparks, like candles, all through the woods. Our dear minister was standing in the driveway with my daddy. What a sight:)
Soot stayed in our window sills for years....
The saddest part to me was that Roseland never looked the same till a few years ago....40+ years later:(
And for my other fire story, another time......
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
A blessed day!
Did I hear the patter of raindrops today?
Whoa!
YES!
The mercy of rain falling:)
Sweet:)
People dancing & twirling in the dusty, dry streets.
Water swishing, sloshing around, washing the pavement, soaking into the cracked ground.
Precious, Heaven-sent, rain giving a drink to the lakes & streams.
Pouring over all things.
Do we appreciate heavy rain clouds rolling in & camping above us?
Without a doubt!
We are a needy people facing water rationing!
We are a people that think we are self-sufficient.
But God reminds us now and then that He alone is Sovereign.
We need His mercy in all things.
And only He sends the glorious rain.
And, in His time.
I savor it. And it blesses my heart, this peaceful rain.
Whoa!
YES!
The mercy of rain falling:)
Sweet:)
People dancing & twirling in the dusty, dry streets.
Water swishing, sloshing around, washing the pavement, soaking into the cracked ground.
Precious, Heaven-sent, rain giving a drink to the lakes & streams.
Pouring over all things.
Do we appreciate heavy rain clouds rolling in & camping above us?
Without a doubt!
We are a needy people facing water rationing!
We are a people that think we are self-sufficient.
But God reminds us now and then that He alone is Sovereign.
We need His mercy in all things.
And only He sends the glorious rain.
And, in His time.
I savor it. And it blesses my heart, this peaceful rain.
Friday, October 19, 2007
NC Fair October 18th, 2007 Report
Hot.
Humid.
Sweltering.
Thirsty!
No air, few fans.
Draining:(
Short rides.
Scary short rides:(
Had to have help off a ride or two:( Not too graceful, but fun riding with Skye:)!
Much is the same as every year, especially the Village of Yesteryear--need some new crafts/crafters:(
Disagreed with the judges about most of the artwork ribbon awards (who are the judges?!), but impressed with the entries:)
Good Greek food:)
More food booths than ever!
Chickens were as feisty & proud as ever:)
Pretty cows:)
Neat pottery, especially Don Hudson's pieces glazed in a pumpkin yellow--wow:)
Good people-watching.
Strange people to watch:)!
All in all, an experience:)
Thank goodness for home & air conditioning!!!!
Humid.
Sweltering.
Thirsty!
No air, few fans.
Draining:(
Short rides.
Scary short rides:(
Had to have help off a ride or two:( Not too graceful, but fun riding with Skye:)!
Much is the same as every year, especially the Village of Yesteryear--need some new crafts/crafters:(
Disagreed with the judges about most of the artwork ribbon awards (who are the judges?!), but impressed with the entries:)
Good Greek food:)
More food booths than ever!
Chickens were as feisty & proud as ever:)
Pretty cows:)
Neat pottery, especially Don Hudson's pieces glazed in a pumpkin yellow--wow:)
Good people-watching.
Strange people to watch:)!
All in all, an experience:)
Thank goodness for home & air conditioning!!!!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
The Fair
Tomorrow Keith and I plan to go to the NC State Fair.
I love it!
Usually the weather is cooler, but not this record setting dry warm year--ugh:( Still, I'm ready for some light and breezy, carefree, time seeing the sights at the Raleigh Fairgrounds.
It's a festive place, noisy with people, laughter, rides, games, more people, and eating.
I especially enjoy the animals and my favorite exhibit is the Poultry building. Lots of crowing and prancing about. Truly a strutting kind of atmosphere:) The turkeys are so homely I feel sorry for them, but there are some handsome roosters trying to impress by a "cock a doodle do", and many pretty hens preening.
Another exhibit I love is the circular Village of Yesteryear, where various artisans display and sell their wares, often working at their craft as people pass by. All are inspiring to me.
My third favorite place is the Kerr Scott building where artwork is shown, from elementary school to professionals.....amazingly all situated in the same area. Whoa, what a variety of photos and paintings! A "feast for the eyes", as well as "fodder for critiquing"---I just have to voice my opinions:)
I will update you on how it goes...
I'm yearning for a 'footloose' kind of day, a happy kind of atmosphere, soaking in the festivities, here in mid October.
(FYI did you know that cotton candy is only 3 Weight Watcher points--not bad!)
Afraid the dust may be plentiful, but not enough to dampen the Fair crowd spirit!
I love it!
Usually the weather is cooler, but not this record setting dry warm year--ugh:( Still, I'm ready for some light and breezy, carefree, time seeing the sights at the Raleigh Fairgrounds.
It's a festive place, noisy with people, laughter, rides, games, more people, and eating.
I especially enjoy the animals and my favorite exhibit is the Poultry building. Lots of crowing and prancing about. Truly a strutting kind of atmosphere:) The turkeys are so homely I feel sorry for them, but there are some handsome roosters trying to impress by a "cock a doodle do", and many pretty hens preening.
Another exhibit I love is the circular Village of Yesteryear, where various artisans display and sell their wares, often working at their craft as people pass by. All are inspiring to me.
My third favorite place is the Kerr Scott building where artwork is shown, from elementary school to professionals.....amazingly all situated in the same area. Whoa, what a variety of photos and paintings! A "feast for the eyes", as well as "fodder for critiquing"---I just have to voice my opinions:)
I will update you on how it goes...
I'm yearning for a 'footloose' kind of day, a happy kind of atmosphere, soaking in the festivities, here in mid October.
(FYI did you know that cotton candy is only 3 Weight Watcher points--not bad!)
Afraid the dust may be plentiful, but not enough to dampen the Fair crowd spirit!
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Tears
As I sat beside my mama over the last ten days, I searched for a poem or a Bible verse for her funeral service.
Towards the end, as I was reading to her, one poem really stood out to me that I thought would be perfect for Mama's service.
And, I say this with much fear and trembling, now and then I felt like it was for me too. But I rejected that because, really, what a selfish thought.
Then the notion that it was for me would return....and finally I realized it was a 'God whisper' telling me how much He loves me. Whoa, that's a powerful, mind-boggling moment! A tearful, knee-melting, awesome, moment! A revelation that He, in the midst of my saying goodbye to my mama, the GREAT I AM, is nudging me to let me know He cares for me, weeps with me, that He lavishes me with the deepest tenderness there can be.....
If we only listen.
And how appropriate when my greatest Earthly supporter and encourager was preparing to leave.....
Oh, how sweet.
Towards the end, as I was reading to her, one poem really stood out to me that I thought would be perfect for Mama's service.
And, I say this with much fear and trembling, now and then I felt like it was for me too. But I rejected that because, really, what a selfish thought.
Then the notion that it was for me would return....and finally I realized it was a 'God whisper' telling me how much He loves me. Whoa, that's a powerful, mind-boggling moment! A tearful, knee-melting, awesome, moment! A revelation that He, in the midst of my saying goodbye to my mama, the GREAT I AM, is nudging me to let me know He cares for me, weeps with me, that He lavishes me with the deepest tenderness there can be.....
If we only listen.
And how appropriate when my greatest Earthly supporter and encourager was preparing to leave.....
Oh, how sweet.
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