Finally Fall

No pictures for this post as it's a quick one.

Fall has finally arrived in Arkansas. The temps went from 85 on Friday to 45 today. (Saturday) What a wonderful change!

I've been doing fall cleaning, and rearranging of furniture. I can tell you my body feels it too. *grin*

I've been working on trying to finish up unfinished sewing projects, and throwing in a few new ones that are quick finishes.

Planning a yard sale on the first Saturday of November.

In the next couple of days I'll be trying to get files moved over from one computer to another. This one is about to blow a gasket and my cousin sent me his three year old computer that is top of the line. He's so good to me.

The poor Arkansas Razorbacks finally won a game! Woo Pig Soooiee!

Deer season is closing in and the husband is counting down the days.

LMW is feeling his oats lately and a real handful, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

I have a new quilting buddy. She is an old friend who just started quilting and she is so excited it's contagious. If I wasn't already obsessed with it, I would be now! Yay Janice!!

My friends the Holderfields are getting along pretty well. D went back to work this week, while S is still confined to a bed. His sister is staying with him in the daytime. His hip is not healing properly and he will need more surgery. Very disheartening for him and them all, so if you think about it, please send up a little prayer for them.

That's all for now folks.

Happy Happy Joy Joy

Today I purchased these adorable little shoes....

They are a size 0-6 months. No, LMW can't wear them and they aren't for him...

My son J and his wife K are giving me another grandbaby in April!!! We can't wait. They are die hard Arkansas Razorback fans and I know they will love these.

Just thought I'd share my news. Have a great Tuesday!

September 11th

I'd just like to take a second to express my appreciation to the first responders on 9/11 and my heartfelt sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives.

The image of the towers falling will probably never leave those of us who witnessed it either first hand, or on the television.

 It's one of those experiences that you remember where you were and what you were doing when you heard the news.

I'm very thankful for those who lost their lives trying to protect the rest of us, and for those who put self aside for the betterment of others and now suffer because of it.

 God bless those who were hurt or lost loved ones, and 

God Bless America!!

 All images from bing.com

All's Well

I've been a little quiet on this blog lately. I do have to report that my friends who were in the car accident are improving daily. I visited with them yesterday and S will be moved to rehab today. He still has a very long way to go, before he will be able to function even halfway normally, but he's up for the task. D is much stronger now, but is waiting on her broken wrist to heal up and get stronger so she can do more for S.

It's National Sewing Month, and I'm going to try to sew at least a little bit every day this month. I may not be able to, but I intend to give it a good try. I'll be posting more about that on The Seam Rippers.

Isaac blew through and left us 6 inches of much needed rain. I had my doubts we would get the 20 they predicted and I was proven correct. It spawned a few tornadoes but none close to my area.

LMW is growing like a weed and we are working on the potty training. He's definitely in the Terrible Twos but he's such a sweet soul that we can't complain about it....much. *wink*
A good friend of mine gave him some toys she had leftover from her grandchildren and they were a big hit.

101 Dalmations were a big hit and fun to pull out and scatter. (notice the boo boo under his eye, he ran headlong into the corner of the piano) She also gave him some really fun Playdough accessories but no picture of that, as it takes all hands on deck to keep contained in the dining room where there's no carpet. *grin*

So, all's well with us for now.

Isaac

Hurricane Isaac has sure dealt some misery, and he's headed toward my house. According to this map, by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow, I'll be getting waterlogged as my house is just south of that little black circle in the middle of Arkansas.  I'm not worried, but they are predicting heavy rain and some flooding. We have been in such a drought that I am really hoping we do get lots of rain. I have my doubts though, it just sounds too good to be true. LOL!!

 I know he has really hurt Louisiana again, but I hope he didn't damage the beaches in Alabama and Florida too much. I have plans next summer!!! All kidding aside, I do pray for those affected by this. It's got to be devastating for the folks in LA to go through this again.

Stay safe out there folks.

In An Instant

Have you ever had an experience that only took a couple of seconds, but in that instant your life was changed dramatically?

We're all familiar with the scripture from Ecclesiastes 3:
 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...
 I have two very dear friends who were in a terrible auto accident last Friday afternoon. In that instant, though thanks be to God they survived, their lives have changed and a new season has begun for them.

My friend D is a teacher and was to begin her new year yesterday. Her husband S is a retired school superintendent who was working part time for an educational co-op. It will be quite some time before either is able to return to work.

D's injuries are bad enough, with a broken wrist and the bone around her eye fractured. She is being released from the hospital today, and will have surgery on her wrist Thursday of this week. S has multiple breaks and some internal issues. He will be in the hospital for quite some time. I and they would really appreciate your prayers for them.

So begins a season of hard work to recover. I'm sure to them it will seem like life is "on hold" but I hope and pray they see it as a blessing and a tool to use in the future. We all go through situations that are not pleasant, and down right painful so we can understand and be a minister to someone else going through it later. Or at least sometimes I think that is the reason.

They are both in a great deal of pain. Physically and emotionally. Their family is torn between wanting to be with them and needing to return to work. I hope to help as often as I can and I hope and pray God gives me wisdom in what I do and say.

I am reminded that in an instant we can be facing a trial that only God can bring us through. A season we didn't expect is thrust upon us and only in our relationship to Christ can we endure without complete despair.

Lamentations 3:24
The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Day Trip #3: The Museum

I'd never been in an art museum until our trip to Hot Springs. The Ozark Bath house has been converted into one and it was amazing. Sister and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

There was a lovely sculpture on the front lawn. You can catch a glimpse of it on the left side of this photo. I took better photos of it, but then realized the women who were playing instruments were nude. Not something I'm comfortable posting.

This photograph was the first thing that grabbed me. The petite child riding that huge horse but, look how free and comfortable she is.

Sister was drawn to this one. I can't decide whether it represents the loss of a child, or the loss of childhood. It may not be either one.

This room was full of women playing instruments. Luckily they all had on clothes. *wink* Some of the paintings on the wall didn't, and I tried to crop them out.

Get a load of this guy! He's made completely out of silverware. I just wonder how long it took to put him together.

This is only part of a larger painting called "Trail of Tears" and you could probably have figured that out on your own. Notice how the sky moves from bright to dark as the people move on and on, their loved ones dying along the way.

I fell in love with this painting. What I wouldn't give to be able to dab paint on a canvas and it come away actually looking like something.

This was mixed media and I found it interesting. Sister found it ugly. LOL!! My first reaction when seeing it was, "That looks like an art quilt", but she said it would be an ugly one. *grin*

She did like this guy, however. She's a cowgirl at heart.

One room in the museum was dedicated to the artist, L.M. Chan. He works with leather to create life like scenes. We were astounded by his artistry and realism.

 This warrior was life sized. You can see other works in the background.

 Look at the detail of the horse.

The receptionist told us that Chan began doing this for his eight year old daughter. By the time she was eighteen, she was a multimillionaire. I can certainly see why!

My least favorite room was the one with masks.

It was strange and a little spooky, but there was one thing I did like.

Maybe her body is hiding under all those shells.*wink*

 I'll leave you with a picture of the inside of one of the other bath houses converted into a gift shop.

We are looking forward to taking another day trip to Hot Springs as soon as we can work it out.