Whew!  I’m tired!  So, I may not get through this tonight. 

I compromised.  I did.  Never let it be said that I don’t try to keep the peace….  I decided that I would take some plates.  But, I didn’t have 6 of 1 style that would coordinate with the decor.   I was (as usual) the last one to decorate.  But, that’s OK, cause I had it done a good 3 hours ahead  of the time to start.  And, I work better at ‘the last minute’…that’s just the way I roll.  Table decorated…centerpiece…crows, pumpkins…place mats….and PLATES!  I had 4 of the bird plates, and 4 of the pine needle plates.  I was unable to get more of the bird plates, but I could have gone and gotten some more of the pine needle plates so I would have had 6 matching.  But, I didn’t.  Used what I had, alternated them on the table, and it looked just fine!  However, I did not think it necessary to haul glasses and silverware, too.  So, I didn’t.

 Good Morning!  Sorry, had to go to sleep last night!  So, as I was saying………

The dinner was lovely.  Some of the most beautiful tables.  Will show you some after I finish my story.  I worked on my centerpiece and got it to my liking.  Here is the way my table looked before the dinner started.

And, some close ups….

 The bags hold scented candles.  Each of the guests took one home.

 BTW…I punched out everyone of these little crows to make my own confetti…there were hundreds…..

Several of the men were there to be the ‘waiters’……..including DH….(far left)…

I ‘lifted’ this picture from a friend, who had  posted her pictures last night.  I haven’t asked her yet if I could use it…but, I’m pretty sure she would say ‘yes’…so…picture courtesy of April Cobb.

 DH came from work, so when he got there he looked over the tables.  He said, “Your table is the only one without glasses and silverware.”  Well, it was not the only one…but then a someone came by and told me that I needed to get some glasses for my table, or we wouldn’t have anything to drink out of.    I think I heard a “told you so” from a masculine voice.  So, thinking maybe I really had messed up, I went to the closet and hauled out 6 fancy nancy glasses.  Someone had already come by to put out the silverware.  OK…it’s all ready, have the blessing, and the waiters start serving.  First they bring us a salad, in a clear plastic plate which we set on my plates.  Then, they bring our drinks…IN PLASTIC CUPS !!!  So here I am with this stem ware on the table, and now the drinks are not even in them.  DH was assigned to 3 tables…one of which was mine.  So, after he brought our tea IN PLASTIC CUPS !!!!!, I had him remove the glasses from our table.  Because my table was very full and they were in our way.   Even those who had brought glasses did not use them…they used the plastic cups also.  Our main course and desert were also served in plastic plates.  The meal, prepared by Janice Kelley, was delicious!

So, to sum it up…I had a plan, and it was a good plan.  I should not have changed it.  I should only have listened to the lady in charge.  I compromised on the plates, and I should have left it at that.  I would have had much less stress that way.  Next time I decide to ‘go my own way’…..no one will talk me out of it!

My sweet friend, Pam, came last night.  She is so dear to Joy and I.  Pam is our former organist at church, and she is the one we chose to sing at Mom’s funeral.  So good to spend time with her.

Here, then, are some of the other tables that were fixed last night.  So sorry that I do not remember all the designers names.

Here, the campfire in center of table glowed, and the ones seated at this table wore the hats and kerchiefs…

LOVE these chargers…

 Great ‘coffee’ theme!

Note the scripture on the plates…beautiful ! 

This table was decorated by the incomparable Monty Clark.  Love the silver and lime color scheme.  Sadly, Monty did not get to speak last night.  She had a lovely talk all prepared, but, alas, someone else was on the program…so we’ll have to hear from her later.  (If you hear of my demise…it was Monty who did it!)

This is the table done by April Cobb.  She so graciously lent me her photo.  She is also the ultrasound technician that is keeping track of my grandchild while he/she is still in the womb.    I just know she loves looking at that beautiful child!!! 🙂  Her table was full of fun!

Using the child’s game Candy Land as inspiration.  Very clever.  Done by one of the youth in our church.

A dear lady, Dot Arnold, had a birthday yesterday.  So someone did a table in her honor.  Her daughter was our speaker last night.  She did an excellent job.

There were 23 tables all together.  Wish I could show you all of them.  The lady in charge (Linda Mills) had secured some great door prizes…which is always fun…especially when you win one of them…and I did.  I figure it was a reward for putting myself in a ‘compromising’ state of mind.

It was a wonderful night.  Several of our friends who had moved to other churches were there and it was wonderful to see them.  Wonderful speaker, as well.

It is now 3:04 pm. and it’s looking kinda doubtful if the things in my trunk will make it in today.  There’s always tomorrow…they’ll wait!

Psalm 34:8       Amen.

I have just spent 2 hours of my precious time watching “The Cake Boss”. There is not much good on at 4 AM. This certainly does not qualify either. A big family, working together, making cakes and selling them. But, the ‘thrill’..and I use that term facetiously…is the delivery. There is a small , narrow stairway…several flights…that they have to navigate to get the huge cakes into the car or van. And, THEN, they send a teenage d boy to deliver them! I don’t get it. And he doesn’t either…cause he delivers the wrong cake to the right people.

Obviously, they are doing very well in this business. 45 wedding cakes in 1 day?!! And, a TV show for people like me to ‘marvel over’ in the wee hours. So why don’t they have an elevator, and a big, wide door, and a responsible driver? I suppose they think it makes ‘better television’. Of course, I could be wrong about the whole thing and you may think this is a wonderful show. But, I don’t think I’ll be wasting my time there again. [BTW…I would not have sat and watched 2 hours of it except that I was trying to be quiet and not wake up the household.]

Now. Let’s talk about another show. On HGTV…House Hunters. I don’t know about you, but the dialogue is so unimaginative, that I can speak it right along with them…even if I have never seen it before! But I have because they show mostly reruns…maybe 3 new episodes a year. The shows go back to 2005, for heaven’s sake!!! Every show they say…over and over…….

“I like the openness.” ‘Is this granite?” “We’ll have to gut this kitchen.” “Oh, stainless steel. That’s what I wanted.” “This is a little small.” “I like it” “This is good for entertaining.” OR “There’s not enough room for entertaining.” “I need room for an office.” “Hardwood floors!” “I like this.’ ‘The kitchen is so outdated.” “Look, stainless steel!” “OOOOO, I LOVE the granite!” “Ah, I will have to finish putting up a fence.” “I like it!” “We want the kitchen and family room to be open.” ” That color just POPS!” “We would have to change the appliances to stainless steel.” “Closets?” “I like it.” “This is little small.” “Love the stainless steel appliances!” “We need room for entertaining.” “I like it”. “Love the hardwoods!” You watch it and see. Not very creative folks running this show.

It’s Columbus Day. Yea! I’m so happy he discovered us. Otherwise, we would all be living here without knowing where we were. Columbus sailed the ocean blue……. In Fourteen Hundred Ninety two!

Funny story. This is not one of my crazy lady stories. I know this lady, and she is a hoot and a half! She is an older than me friend who attends church with us. I do not think I have ever known a lady who loves to laugh as much as she does. And, if you are around her when she starts talking…you will be laughing, too! As we were leaving church after the service, she called out to me, “Tonja, come here, let me tell you what I did.” She was already cackling! She lives in an assisted living facility. In her words…

“When I woke up this morning and looked at the clock…I was running late. It was already after 10:00! I even slept through breakfast! So, I got up and started getting ready. I took my bath and got all my clothes on…even these old pantyhose…and got my Bible and purse. I didn’t hear any body else moving around and I thought that was unusual. I waited for them to come and get me. And then it started getting late and I went down the hall to see if they forgot me. I told that girl, that I thought they forgot me ’cause I was usually picked up by 10:45. I asked her what was going on. She looked at me and then she just laughed and laughed…and said, ‘Mrs.T….,It IS 10:45….at NIGHT!!!!! ‘ [Well, those of you who know whom I am speaking of can hear her…..she just got so tickled at herself! ] I can’t believe I did something so dumb. I went back to my room, but, I wasn’t about to take off all this garb…and these pantyhose…it was hard enough to get them on the first time! Can’t do it 2 times in one day! So, I smoothed everything out and sat down real easy in my recliner, and just slept there till I came to church!” We all laughed…and she the hardest! As I left, she was telling it again to someone else! She is a precious saint.

Here I sit now, watching the Today show. Have you ever noticed how absolutely ridiculous some people act when they see themselves on a monitor? I’m talking about those who are standing outside…behind the person being interviewed. When they realize they are showing up on TV…they lose their minds. They jump and grin and wave and tell everyone around them…and then those people try to edge them out, so they can get in front of the camera! And they are all pushing and shoving and waving. It’s like they have never seen themselves before. I can only imagine how they act in front of a mirror!!! There was one young girl who finally found herself. She waved a while, and then she pulled out her cell phone and called someone in The American Heartland. It rang and rang and rang. Finally someone answered. She told them she was on the Today Show. Then she waited till they turned their TV on and got the right channel……….and then…they saw her! And, she was transported to the Realm of Wonderful! She jumped and danced and swayed and talked…all the while keeping that wave going. Life was just too good for her this morning. Then obviously, the person on the other end of the line, had to go back to work, because she hung up. Girl on TV put up her phone. She looked up one more time and gave a big sigh and moved on so someone else could have the chance at stardom…if only on a monitor, outside, behind Hilary Duff and Ann Curry discussing Hilary’s new book, and marriage, and TV show and album. Busy girl…I’m just saying……..

I think that commercial of the girl sucking all the yogurt out of the container is disgusting!

And, I think the commercial that has the mop despondent over not being used is ridiculous!

But, the commercial that has the animals that are natural enemies frolicking together at the waterhole, is very clever!

However, the one that has the biggest bug in the world going up to the door and asking to come in…creeps me out!

I have typed this post off and on all day. My DH is off on Mondays, so it is always a lazy day for us. But, I did get a dresser cleaned out and ready for Christmas wrapping supplies. And, I went out and cut back all my beautiful coleus. Is there a plural for coleus? Or is it still just coleus? Well I had 2 huge pots of coleus…but, alas, they had gotten so leggy, they had to be cut back. I fully expect them to come back, though. We’ve got lots of warm weather left. Sweet Finn went out with me while I worked on my plants. He’s not quite brave enough to venture too far away from me when we are outside. It’s such a big yard and such a little puppy.

IN OTHER NEWS: 12 weeks, and all is well! Thank-You, God!

And, it’s Saturday! We made it up earlier today, because we had planned 2 days worth of activity into this one! Had breakfast at the motel, and set the GPS toward the community of Crabapple. This is where our favorite primitives store is located…as well as the arts festival we plan to attend.

Since I got this new phone, I have been able to put all sorts of things on it. Now all of you are probably way more knowledgeable about these things than I…but, I’m getting there. Anyway, one of the apps is a daily Bible verse, as well as devotional. I checked the one for today to share with the girls, and this is it: “For wherever two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:20 We felt that was just a little ‘wink’ from God. One of the things that makes our friendship so special is the bond we have in Christ. We love the Lord and love doing things in His name. His love forms a bond between us that nothing else can. We always spend part of our time together discussing things we have studied or read. And, often one or the other of us can add to or help clarify something for the other. Each morning we thanked God for his rest, and our friendship, and for the beautiful world He created for us to delight in.

We found the little crossroads where the festival was being held. Right there was the store that we all love to peruse. These are the only 2 girls I know who can appreciate this type of decor. Very simple, very primitive, no frills. ( This is not the old time country of lace and geese and mauve and country blue. ) The lady who owns it is well known for her knowledge of this kind of decor, as well. We knew this would be a fine show if her name was associated with it.

Here are a few shots in and around her store.

We made our way on through the show. Many antiques, quilts, collectibles, and such.

We finished seeing all we could see, and then headed to Roswell. We had passed a funky looking store as we went by this morning and we wanted to return to check it out. We spent some time there and it was a full of treasures. The owner pointed out a little outdoor bakery and cafe and we went over to have a bite to eat. Tina left to go and get the car, so I would not have to walk so far, and as she was gone…I remembered that I had bought a gift at the show and had failed to pick it up before we left. Sooooooo, we went back to Crabapple, and Shirl went and retrieved my purchase. Back again to Roswell, and some shopping in the restored old town. There, groups and individuals had made all types of scarecrows and each lamppost was holding a different one. This was my favorite.

The scarecrow is on the LEFT…in case you weren’t sure! All along the sidewalks were several cafes with outdoor seating. And, that is where we wanted to eat…outside…enjoying the air, and the people, and the animals! There were so many dogs! And, so we put our name down and sat down to wait.

Along with the scarecrows on the lampposts, there were whiskey barrels all along the street, as well. They had been planted with a variety of plants and greenery…and for the season, each had 3 white pumpkins added to the center. So festive.

Finally, after about an hour of waiting, we were seated at a table outside. We enjoyed our meal immensely, and hated to have to get up and leave.

Back to our motel, and the wreath makers set about their work. My feet were as big as boats after being on them all day, so, I headed off to bed. They finished their work, then came in the bedroom and proceeded to watch The Blind Side…and discuss it…right where I was sleeping!!! It’s not like there wasn’t another TV in the sitting room!!! 🙂 Here is a one of the Christmas wreaths…beautiful! This pic does not do it justice.

We had brought all our packages from the car, and repacked them to try to save some room. So, Shirl and Tina began the task of loading the car.

They made this trip 3 times to get it all loaded! Then they woke me up, I gathered my little bag, and we all headed to the car.

They had packed the car, all right! This is a picture from the front seat looking to the back. Yikes!

You’re right. You can’t even see out the back window! As long as I did not breathe too hard, I was fine. Good thing I didn’t want to cross my legs!!! I kid! One more stop on the way home at Target…and we pulled into Dothan in time for Tina to get to her church picnic. And, Shirl left today to go home to Moultrie.

And, that’s the end of Fall Fling 2010. A time of renewal for us all. A time to be together with friends who know all about me and love me anyway. A time to share things of the heart with each other, that only we would understand. A time to be ourselves, as we can only with each other. We shared as much as we could, solved as many world problems as we could, and laughed as much as we could. And, as you well know: “A cheerful heart is a good medicine…” Proverbs 17:22. We are well.

We went…we saw…we shopped…we laughed…we cried…we had a ball!

Oh, but it was such a wonderful weekend. The weather was perfect! Really…just perfect. Just a little cool, not hot, breeze blowing…perfect. We 3 always have such fun together and this time was no exception.

We pulled out around 4 and headed up toward Atlanta. No major stops along the way. We were too anxious to be there. Found our motel…….but they were NOT expecting us! Can you imagine? I made reservations…and got a confirmation (so I thought). But, obviously I didn’t…because they had never heard of our merry band of travelers. But, the Lord knew all about it, and had made sure there was a room available for us just like we had ordered! And, so we unpacked the car, and made it inside, and crashed.

Friday morn- slept a little late, but got to moving quickly when we woke. Atlanta is a big place and we had major places to be! Grabbed some cheese crackers and granola and drinks and headed to the car. First stop, Michaels, where much silliness ensued. Now, we do have a Michaels that we can shop at home, BUT, Shirl had a bazaar at her church coming up and she had to make something to sell. She thought wreaths would do just fine, so she set about buying supplies to make 4 wreaths. Not that we had room in the car for 4 big wreaths…but that has never stopped us before!

As you can see…good looking men were following us everywhere! We finished there, and made our way on to Home Goods, Hobby Lobby, Jo Ann. Now to cover these 4 stores…row by row…front to back, takes some time. So, it was beginning to get a little late. Our dear Shirl had chosen Thursday morning before she came to Dothan as the best time to have major dental work done. Her mouth was full of ulcers and she had bitten her tongue, and she was in pain. So, we found a drug store, and got her some meds. She and Tina and I were starving because we had only had cheese crackers and a little pkg of granola ALL DAY! But, dear Shirl said she had to have something soft. Tina and I watched the Cheesecake Factory disappear from view, as we looked for a place to find something ‘soft’. And, we ended up at IHOP! Blueberry pancakes for supper! Not a bad second choice. Tina managed to get some meds onto the ulcers in Shirl’s mouth.

Then she got to feeling so good, that she even ordered a desert crepe after her meal! Back to the motel, where she and Tina got set to make wreaths! They worked hard and long…pausing occasionally for me to put my 2 cents worth in from the couch!

Bet you’d like to hang this one on your door! They did a great job, with only a little coaching from me. Of course, I taught them all they know about making wreaths! 🙂 JK!

I’d better stop here and finish up tomorrow. Here are a few more pics from Friday………note who’s sitting in my buggy!!!!!

No. No, that sign is not about me.

Beautifully wrapped gifts we brought from home to share with each other! I’ll finish up the story tomorrow!

“God has given us these times of joy!” Nehemiah 12:43