I love my pool.  I love to be in the water.  I love to be in the water when the sun is beating down.   I love to be in the water, in the sun, when the water is not over my head….or I’m floating on a raft.

So, in light of this fact, I went to the store with the big red target on it and bought myself one of those easy to fold, light weight floats.  I bought the one that was full size and had pretty Hawaiian flowers.  I was set.  Ready for the next time I decided to hit the water and lounge around like a lady of leisure.

Well, Lucy Jane came to visit this week.  When she walked in the door she was holding her new froggy swimming aide…and her matching froggy towel.  She had all intentions of swimming at some point in the 4 hours she was there.

“Can we go swimming right now, Aunt Tonja?  I’ve got my suit in the closet and I can put it on quick.”

“Let me finish up a few things and then we will go.”

“I can go ahead and get ready and then I won’t have to get ready when it’s time to go?”

“Aunt Tonja, where do you want me to put my froggy stuff?”  “Do you want me to put it out by the pool?”

“Aunt Tonja, do we have some toys to put in the pool?”

“Aunt Tonja, did you get a new raft?”  “Want me to open it up?”  “I can blow it up.  I can.  There’s just air on the sides.”

“Aunt Tonja, I sure do love you.”  “And I sure do love to go swimming in your pool.”

And, so, I told her to get ready…and I got ready…and we went outside.  I helped her get her froggy on, and then she said,”You need to go get Alex and Wild Man.” (‘Wild Man’ is what she calls Finn.  Which is much closer to an appropriate name than Finn.  Really.)  So, I got back out and went to knock on Alex’s door and told him we were swimming.  Patty had graciously offered to blow up the sides of the raft for me.

Lucy Jane and I had a few minutes of quiet playing in the pool…and then the Wild Man and his boy set upon us.  Out came Alex and Finn.  Now Alex moves kinda slow, but Finn……..he shoots out the door like a bat out of a very hot place!  I got back out of the pool to help Alex get in.

*****when we built the Creekhouse, and the pool, I fully expected there to be a rail somewhere to steady myself as I entered the pool.  And, I didn’t need one as much as Alex did.  But, someone  decided we did NOT need a rail.  And, so we do not have one.  So, Alex has nothing to hold on to as he is entering the pool.  His balance is such that he has to hold on to something to steady himself all the time,  And going up or down the stairs is even harder.  We should have a rail.  I thought I made that clear as we were building.  I’m sure I have made it clear several times since then.  But, we still have no rail.  Which we need.  Desperately*****

Back to the pool.  Lucy and her froggy suit is in.  Alex is in.  And, I am in.  And, here comes Patty with my float.  It looks so inviting…just what I wanted.  So I begin to pull it over to the shelf so I can get on , when I hear a LOUD SPLASH! We who were going swimming were already in….so where did that splash come from?  You don’t even have to guess do you?

Oh, yes it was Wild Man, hisownself.  The Mighty Finn!  He was coming to swim…so we had better be ready or get out of the way!   He swam all around, but he began to have a desperate look in his eyes.  Where was his boy?  Where was he?  Alex walked over and held him.  Whew!  He was safe now!   But he was struggling, because there was no solid ground here in this pool.  No place where the feet could make contact with a surface, and be still.  No…this stuff kept moving!  So Alex, being the kind soul that he is,  just picked him up and plopped him down on…MY NEW RAFT!!!!!

And, so we gathered around and watched a dog on a float in the middle of the pool and talked to him and oohed and aahed at him like we had all completely lost our ever loving minds!  And, Patty made pictures from the sidelines….she had pretty much lost her mind, as well.

Oh, how Finn felt the adoration and praise that was being heaped upon him by those he loved the most….. he was one proud dog.  He wished those other dogs in the family could see him now! ” Jo Jo,this is the way to do it! —-  Look Charla!  Are you jealous?— What do ya think about this, Jezzabelle?—    Hey Kaki, bet you can’t do this! ” And the feeling was so wonderful, he actually floated off by himself for a minute or two and thought of how grand he looked and how his family was safe and secure as long as he was around!  He stood tall and proud!  Now,  THIS was living!  “Look at me, I’m King of the pool!”

Lost as he was, admiring himself as the best dog ever…He barely heard Mom when she said,” Alex, if that hound tears up my new raft with his toe nails, you are buying me two new rafts.  One to replace this one and one to make me feel better! ” UH! OH!  He knew  she meant it, too.  This may not last too long…..better enjoy it while I can!

And, he stood as tall as he could at the front of the boat.  He was the Master!  He was the Captain!  He was the King!   He would see this family to safety.  He would guard them as they swam.  He would banish all intruders who may encroach upon their watery kingdom.  He would be the !!!!!SPLASH!!!!!, he was back in the water!  Pride had been his downfall.  He was so intent upon his new found leadership, that he stood too close to the edge of the raft.  And when the edge went under, he just floated right on out.

And, Finn, the mighty and the brave, took off swimming.  He swam with all his might!  He knew where the shelf was to get out and he was heading that way…FAST!    “WHEW!”  He made it !  The family was safe, too.  He was tired.  He was waterlogged.  He was sleepy.  And, since he was King of the Pool…he would just make a royal decree…”NAP TIME.”

In 2010, when Joy and I went to Maui, the only thing she wanted to do that we did not, was go on a zip line.  Now why she wanted to do that, I do not know.  We were raised in the same home, with the same parents, and I have sense enough to know that feet are designed to be on the floor or the ground.  I know, as well, that we were not meant to fly.  If we were so intended, we would have wings.  Furthermore, when you try to do something that the good Lord did not intend for you to do…things happen…and the results are not always pleasant.  Obviously, the lessons did not stick with her!

So, when we made our plans to return this year, and to bring our friend, Patty, along…she immediately hit Patty up to go zip lining with her.  I think it sounded something like this, “We’d love to invite you on our trip and all you have to do is agree to go on a little ride with me.”  To which Patty replied, “Well, that sounds like a good deal, if I ever heard one…so, I’m in!”  As soon as we got to Maui, I called the lady I like to work with there for tickets and such, and told her we needed 2 tickets for the best zip line on Maui.  She called me back a little later and said due to our other scheduled events, the only time that was available that they could go…was the next morning!  So, I took the tickets and relayed the good news.  Patty, upon hearing that she was going on not one, but three zip lines way high above Maui, turned a little green.  But, since Joy had already gone on the bus adventure to Pearl Harbor while we were on Oahu, Patty knew she was going zipping in the morning.  And, they did!  I, remembering the lessons of my childhood, knew that a day spent shopping in an outdoor mall next to the ocean beats dangling from a line high above the earth and flying through the air any old day!  And, so I did!  Joy said her prayers before they left.

They had their orientation, and learned all about what they were going to do, and how to be safe.  ( ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ZIP LINING IN 30 MINUTES  OR LESS just doesn’t seem like quite enough time to instill a  feeling of confidence…I’m just  saying…)  And, then they began getting all their gear on.  Packs front and back and a seat sling and helmets.  They were really cute…don’t ya think?

And, then it was time…time for the first line.  (By the way…waaaaaaaay down there is where they are going)

To be sure, they have beautiful scenery to look at while travelling!

Two trips down and then across the HUGE suspension bridge to get as high as possible for the last zip.

AND……THEY’RE OFF !!!

“WOW!  That was fun! ”

“I did it!  I did it!  I did it! ”

And, after removing all the gear, they boarded the truck and headed back to the hotel.  I was resting peacefully, after a glorious morning perusing all the boutiques in the Whaler’s Village.  When I heard such a racket…you can’t even imagine!  Banging on the door…yelling…laughing…more banging!  It was the two zippers back from their adventure!  Oh, they were pumped!  Neither one could stop talking.  Oh, how their children would have laughed to see them so excited.  And, they should be very proud of their sense of adventure!  I loved it when Joy said, “I feel like I can do anything!  There’s not anything I wouldn’t tackle!  I feel just that good!  I can do anything!”   Funny thing, though, she didn’t seem that excited when I asked her to prove it and carry the extra suitcase I had to buy !  🙂

And so, a wonderful Maui adventure, zipping through the air,  comes to a close.  This beautiful island is like a huge playground to those of us who love to spend precious hours and days here.  It continues to capture our hearts with each new experience.  We are blessed by the time we are able to spend within its shores.

More adventures coming up…..

When Amy began planning her wedding, she had a distinct idea about what she wanted.  Searching online, she found pictures of decor she liked for the reception and her cake and the actual wedding decor.  Her new hubby was able to put most of the pieces together.  He works with wood and so he knew just where  and how to get the trees, to cut apart, to cut into circles, to drill holes in, and exactly where to get the little trees that were used atop all this when it was glued back together! 

Then we took 3 sizes of clear glass cylinders and wrapped each with a variety of rustic trims…burlap, jute,cords, raffia.  These were placed on the larger of the rounds, and each had a white candle of varying sizes.   Pods, flowers,etc was placed around the cylinders.  Each table was covered with a white cloth and a burlap topper.  These pieces were not stained or varnished, but left ‘as is’.

This was the tall arrangement that was on the food table….along with the display around the bottom.  There were 5 round tables with the long table in the center, all under the big white tent.

And look at this wonderful piece Blake cut, stained, varnished, for the cake.  It was beautiful!

Then under this tree…….

…and in front of this pond…

Tina and Shirley did this arbor…

On either side of the arbor, we filled 2 fern stands with ferns ( of course!).  Now, Shirl had learned this wonderful trick to filling these stands to make them look full and pretty, and I want to share it with you.  The ferns came in those old, black plastic pots.  Shirley pulled them out of the pots and dropped each one into its own plastic bag.  We used the bags the moss came out of. 

The 2 black pots would not fit in here, but by putting them into the bags, they are able to be molded into the pots, and they have a very full look…

Then fill in all around with moss to hide the bags.  You can also push the moss in from the outside, as well.

Add a large bow…and you are done.  The bags can be left whole if they will just be used a short time.  This will keep all the dirt inside.  But, if they will need to stay there for a few days, you can poke holes in the bottom of the bag, so they will drain when watered.   They should be OK in the bags for 3-4 days.

At the wedding……..

Oh, we did have a very nice visit from some very special folks on Friday…Suzanne and Baby Levi.  I know, I know.  He’s just the cutest thing you’ve ever seen!  I happen to agree with you!

And, that is all I will show until Amy gets back from her honeymoon.  I do not want to publish the pics of the actual wedding without her permission.  But, I’ll tell you this…she was a beautiful bride.  You’ll see…

I have had the privilege, over the past few weeks, of helping my friend, Tina, get ready for her daughter’s wedding.  Sweet Amy was to marry Blake…at his very rustic farmhouse several miles outside of town.  After Tina and Amy talked and came up with the plan…she and I met and figured out the way to get it taken care of.  We have been working on projects all along, so the majority of things we needed to make were done ahead of time.  One of the first orders of business for me was to make the brides bouquet.  I was anxious to get started, because I like to do this.  I made what is called an all-in-hand bouquet,where you start with a flower in one hand and keep adding flowers and turning it and adding flowers and turning…all the time keeping all the flowers in that one hand.  Then wrap the stems.  Oh, it looked great!  But, Amy thought it was too small for her…and I think she was right.  So, I set about making another one…still not big enough.  OK..I decide to use a form this time.  She says she wants it BIG!  Big enough to cover  her side to side when held in front of her.  I got the form and I got the flowers, and I clipped and wrapped and poked and wrapped and poked until I ended up with one of the biggest bouquets that I have ever seen!  Side to side, it would cover her.  This is bouquet # 3…

Shirl had come down from Moultrie Thursday and she and Tina went out to the house to get the decorating underway.  They worked most of the day  Thursday and got the front of her house decorated and then moved to the back and got things started there.    When I joined them on Friday, we had a discussion about the size of this  ‘fistful of flowers’ and agreed that it was too big.

 So, I set about removing all the flowers for the 4th time…placed them all into groups…and started over.  

 Now the danger of making something around a group of people, is that they all have an opinion about how to do it.  And, as such…I had 4 voices other than mine.  This didn’t annoy me..it just gets a little  frustrating. So, I pulled this flower out and put that flower in.  Then I took out this flower, and put another one in.  Then I’d take out  2 flowers and put back 1.  And, finally…finally it was finished.  Here is bouquet #4…

I was happy.   Amy was happy.  Shirl and Tina were happy.   Do you see how happy we were?   And, all was right with the world.    We should have taken that bouquet to a locked vault and put it in and not looked at it again until right before the wedding!     But , NOooooooooooo…..we decided that we  needed to make one ‘little’ change.  Because we don’t know how to leave well enough alone.   So, I pulled out a few blooms.  And, then…AND THEN !!!!!!!…

…the unthinkable happened…the foam, which was glued to the base, broke loose.  The flowers and a small bit of foam went one way.  And the handle, with another small bit of foam, went another way.  The rest of the foam went EVERYWHERE !  I was shocked!  Idon’t understand why this happened …the foam  only had 683 holes in it!!!!

And I cried.

Because the nearest store from which we could buy

 foam was 15 miles away…and it was already after lunch.  Tina and I began to brainstorm a solution.  And, somewhere in the house, Tina found a old silk flower arrangement…with dead oasis stuff.  It only had 10 or so holes in it.  So, I got a piece of tulle, wrapped the oasis all around, and hot glued the mess out of it onto the base.   And I made the bouquet for the fifth time.  Many of the stems had to be re-wrapped and wired and cut because the shape of the oasis was different.  And, it was so fragile already, I knew I could only stick the flowers in one time.  It finally came together, and, I finished the bouquet.  I did not ask them if they liked it.  They had to like it. Because IT  WAS  DONE !!!  And, I was done, too!

Now all that really did happen.  But, I loved every minute of it!    It’s always the most fun when we are working together.  It was an honor to be asked to do the bouquet, and help decorate.   All’s well that ends well…RIGHT?  Here is the finished bouquet…

And, the bouquet held together.  The bride was very pleased with it and she looked beautiful carrying it.  It even lasted through the reception.

Next post, I want to share with you some of the decor.  We had some really neat things to work with, and I think you will enjoy seeing it.  (But, I won’t show any pics of the bride and groom and the actual wedding.  She will want to do that in her own time.  But, once she does, I will share some with you, too.)

Oh, and maybe by the time Christmas rolls around, I’ll get to finish my posts on Hawaii! 🙂

Last night was a horrible night for those of us who live in Alabama.  We had ‘storms of epic proportions’ which caused numerous tornadoes throughout the state.   This massive storm started in Mississippi, the went through AL, GA, SC, and NC.    Most of the worst of it was in the northern part of the state.  We live in the SE corner.  All we got here was strong thunderstorms.

I knew bad weather was coming, but not just how bad.  I happened to have the TV on the 5:00 news, and the reporters got all excited and started telling us that this massive black blob covering most of the screen was actually a massive tornado over 1/2 mile wide as it was destroying a big part of the city of Tuscaloosa.  Many students live here to attend The University of Alabama.  The weather cameras they have stationed over the state happened to catch it as it was happening.  My heart was pounding as I watched on TV, and I found myself thinking of all the kids I knew who went to school there. 

“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified.  Do not be discouraged.
 For the Lord your God goes with you.” Joshua 1:9

There was also another tornado hitting in Birmingham, where my youngest lives.  And, terrible damage had already been done there from an earlier tornado.   And, we know quite a few friends and family who live there, so there was great concern there also.

“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.”  Psalm 36:5

At present, there are over 200 deaths, and in Tuscaloosa, they believe there are more to still be rescued under rubble or worse.

Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens,  with all their host,
the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein,
and thou preservest them all;
and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.”      Nehemiah 9:6

What is there to say in time like these?  “I’m sorry” just isn’t enough.  “Let me know if there is anything I can do to help” is even worse.  I think it isn’t what you SAY at all, but what you DO.  So many have lost it all….houses, clothes, pictures, books, special mementos, cars, even jobs.  There is plenty to DO…but really, it is so hard to say any words that covers this tragedy.  There are times when a hug says all that is needed.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion
and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can
comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God”
(2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

But, not really.  I read a comment on a website today under some pics of the tornado damage.  It was like a slap in the face to me.  It said, “Where is your god now?  If he is so ‘good’,why does he send tornadoes to do such damage?  They were innocent people.”  I would like to have answered this person.  What would you have said to them?  I would have to take a minute to control my temper because when people say things like that, it really pushes my buttons.

“I will tell you where He was.  He was in the wind, and He was in the tornado.  He was in the swirling clouds that were so very powerful.  He made the winds.  They are His.  He was in the bathroom where a gas station worker took cover.  He is thanking God today.  He was in the huge refrigerator in an empty grocery store where a wife found refuge.  Her husband didn’t make it, he dove under a table.   God was with him there.   Their  trailer and everything in it is nowhere to be found.  God knows where it is.  And, He will be with this husband and wife as they search for a new place to live. 

“God is with you in everything you do.”  Genesis 21:22

He was with  the students who panicked when they knew the tornado was imminent.  He followed them to their bathtub where they waited it out by praying.  They lived to pray again.  He was with the grandfather who gathered his 5 small grandchildren into the small frame house and covered them with his body.  Even as the house and all its contents were blown away, the family was untouched.  And, He was buried under rubble of bricks with a tiny baby, still in his crib.  He stayed with the child until he was rescued.

He was in all 5 states as the tornadoes wreaked havoc.  Over 300 died in total, with 3/4 in AL.  I hear on the news this morning that this storm is the worst of its kind in recorded history. 

And, He will be with those who mourn the dead.  He will be with those who look at all they have accomplished in life reduced to a pile of sticks.  Perhaps they will realize that the accomplishments that can’t be seen are still there and available.  He will guide. 

Psalm 33:18
The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his UNFAILING LOVE
, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in HOPE for the Lord;
HE IS HELP AND OUR SHEILD. In him our hearts rejoice, for we TRUST in his holy name.
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,
even as WE PUT OUR HOPE IN YOU!

We serve an awesome God!