Corner View: Jewelry

What a loaded topic for me for corner view!

One of the things kids notice about me at school is my jewelry.

It's one way I express myself.

I was in a bit of a hurry last night,

so I quickly assembled an arrangement of 'bits and pieces'

on the dining room table.

These necklaces and earrings above and below belonged to my maternal grandma,

Cora Elizabeth Jarvis.

I have never worn them, but will not part with them.

The two antique pins  belonged to my ex-husband's grandmother.

The one on the right is fragile and not wearable.

This is just a smattering of my pearl collection (none are real).

Nina's (ex's grandma) necklace is to the left.

I dearly loved this woman and think of her each time I wear this.

These belonged to my mama.

I used to not wear silver much,

but have started. 

The long one has always looked good with certain sweaters and turtlenecks.

I just started wearing the hubcap one (as a student recently dubbed it)

and I get compliments on it each time

(even from boys.)

This is a favorite bracelet from my ex-mother-in-law's traveling days.

She always brought me back beautiful jewelry

and I love and cherish all of it.

These are my pin bulletin boards.

I rotate some of them according to seasons.

If you look closely, you can see some Halloween ones, autumn leaves,

and even a turkey for Thanksgiving (lower right).

On the top right is my angel and heart collection.

Cherished antique pins from a wonderful woman who has been a trusted and true friend

since elementary school days.

This is Mama's birthstone pin

representing her three children

and four grandchildren

and I'm not sure what the two extra are for.

Another of mama's pins--a four-leaf clover.

Since my high school amateur's symbol is the shamrock,

I think of it as representing it.

This was given to me by my sister-in-law Peggy

for being a bridesmaid in hers and my brother Roy's wedding.

The H in the middle stands for my maiden name.

The B and A stands for Beth Anne.

I still wear this and still love and cherish it.

This one is from my sister-in-law Cindy

for being a bridesmaid in hers and my brother David's wedding.

Again the H in the middle stands for my maiden name.

and E A stand for Elizabeth Anne.

My birth name is Elizabeth Anne,

but I've been called Beth from day one.

The name Elizabeth has been carried down through mama's family

and is the middle name of two of my granddaughters.

Mother put it as my first name rather than middle,

because she wanted to call me Beth

after Beth from Little Women.

Only two people ever called me Elizabeth and I allowed it because they were special

and they saw me as an 'Elizabeth'.

So now you've seen a smattering of my jewelry collection.

It is eclectic and quite representative of the 'mix' that is me.

For more corner views, please head on over to Francesca's.

Barn Charm #57

I can just see a glimpse of this barn from the driveway of my hair stylist's.

Even my hair stylist has a barn beside her shop with goats and horses!

(I've featured them before.)

Sunday drive to check out leaves and a house for sale.

(No go on the house.)

I like the cows and fence in the foreground.

A few came up to see if I would feed them.

I zoomed in to get a better shot.

It's tiny by barn size standards,

but still a barn.

Then there is this beauty. 

I love the faded red and the color of autumn surrounding it.

Notice the color of the leaves growing up the side---pretty, huh?!

For more barn views, please check out Tricia's Barn Charm
.

Enjoying my surroundings and Monday's Prayer

I had two doctors' appointments last Tuesday in near-by

Wheeling, WV.

One was a check-up with my dermatologist on my stress dermatitis.

 (There is a fancy name for it, but I always forget it.)

It is much better now that the high school got a new principal.

He is so much nicer.

I also got a shot of cortisone in my right knee from my rheumatologist.

Lucky me, huh?!

Actually, I'm feeling better and walking without limping.

While in the offices' parking lots, I got out my camera and snapped some photos

of West Virginia's beautiful mountains---not quite as tall near our end of the state,

but still awe inspiring.

I don't know what this building is, but I loved the contrast of the trees around it.

A sea of cars and then a lovely hillside with fall showing its colors.

And then this.

I was getting out of my car and look up and over and saw these guys.

I had to take a picture.

The two on top have no restraints on and seem quite close to the edge.

I will gladly brave 120 teen-agers five days a week rather than do these guys' jobs!

"Life is not intended to be simply a round of work,

no matter how interesting and important that work my be.

A moment's pause to watch the glory of a sunrise or a sunset is soul satisfying,

while a bird's song will set the steps to music all day long."

Laura Ingalls Wilder

"You can't go wrong when you love others.

When you add up everything in the law code,

the sum total is love.

But make sure that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted

in taking care of your day-by-day obligations that you lose track

of the time and doze off, oblivious to God."

Romans 13: 10,11 (MSG)

Jesus said, "You're tied down to the mundane;

                                               I'm in touch with what is beyond your horizons.
                                                 You live in terms of what you see and touch.
                                                           I'm living on other terms."
                                                               John 8:28 (MSG)

                                                                   Prayer of Grace

Dear Lord,

You are my rock, and I praise You for Your blessings.

But sometimes, I am distracted by the busyness of the day

or the demands of the moment.

When I am worried or anxious, Father,

turn my thoughts back to You.

Help me to trust Your will, to follow Your commands,

and to accept Your peace, today and forever.

Amen.

Blessings to you all as you begin this new week!

Photo Friday--Pumpkin Festival Porch Decorations

Blessings to you as you begin the weekend!

Corner View: Leaf

There are more 'leaf' plants in my back patio 'flower garden'

this time of year than actual flowers.

(The mums were added for the Pumpkin Festival as was the wooden Pumpkin face

and fall mini garden flag that stands by the back door.)

Three very different varieties of leaf:

ornamental grass, 'I forget the flower' leaf, and lavender.

This is just a peek of my front porch decorations.

Due to warm weather, my summer plants were still thriving,

so here is a mix of real and artificial leaves.

For more corner views,

please check out Francesca's place.

Homecoming Queen and Monday's Prayer

I am late getting out the Monday prayer.

I have been recuperating from three incredibly hectic weeks

that included preparation for Homecoming and the Pumpkin Festival.

There is so much that goes into planning the Homecoming Event.

There are:

Spirit Week where the kids dress to a theme each day;

the front display window to get ready with all the candidates pictures

(this year I did a "Then and Now" theme that had the candidates baby pics,

their parents pic, and then their individual candidate pic

plus group pictures);

creating/building, painting, hanging decorations for the dance in the cafeteria

after the Friday night football game,

the pep rally that afternoon,

and finally the pre-game parade of candidates and escorts

in awesome pick-up trucks around the football field.

The couples are then announced and walk through two lines of the band

across the field where they veer off to the right and left and await the announcement.

I am involved in every aspect of it.

I loved it!

But boy did my body not love it!

I have been recovering, placating the fibromyalgia

and osteo-arthritic knees (the right knee is particularly angry with me).

But it was sooooo worth it!

Here are the five senior candidates sitting after lots of work.

The girl who is the second from the left is the one

who painted the mural.

She also painted her jeans.

She is a 'gem' in so many ways.

(She was two votes behind the winner and

is almost as insecure as the sweet young lady to the right of her

who did win it.

I am working on their self-esteem--they are incredibly wonderful girls.)

Here they are that same day, dressed and ready for the special event.

The last three girls on the right are the representatives from the lower classes:

junior, sophomore, and freshmen.

Each of the classes nominates one girl to represent their class on the court.

The senior class chooses five girls as the queen candidates.

Then  the entire student body, including those students at the vocational schools

and those enrolled in post-secondary classes at two community colleges,

vote on who will be the 2012 Homecoming Queen.

{BTW I explicitly explained that the skirts were not to be inappropriately short.

Obviously a few girls and their mothers have a different definition of inappropriate.

And yes, comments were made in the stands

as some held their breath as skirts inched up with each step.

Aiyiyi!}

{I did tell the girl on the far right to tug down her dress before she walked up the steps

into the bleachers.

Her panties or worse (as in none) were about to show.

Again: Aiyiyi!}

This young lady is very special to me.

She is also quite insecure.

Here she is with her friend escort in the back of her dad's truck.

Her brother is driving it.

This is the same father and son who brought the beautiful antique tractor

to our school for the candidates pre-pictures.

(The boy restored the tractor mostly by himself.)

This is before she got in the truck.

I already knew she was the winner,

but didn't let on.

This is just a glimpse of the procession from the back.

We had a gorgeous sky overlooking the festivities.

Here is the couple walking across the field between two lines of our high school band.

Walking to their spot.

The woman in the background headed this up for 15 years

and helped me as this was my first year heading this whole event.

Here begins the reactions of this precious girl and her friend.

Her boyfriend recently dumped her and she has been heart-broken.

Look at the shock on her face and his fist as he pumps it.

She is still not believing it!

He is still ecstatic.

Last year's queen crowns her.

Mom is adjusting the crown and she's wincing as the combs dig into her head.

Typical mother/ daughter moment with dad patiently standing by.

He is holding her candidate sash

as she is now wearing the Queen sash.

Beautiful, incredibly sweet, compassionate, down-to-earth and self-conscious A.M.

She is one of those students who keep me teaching.

Here is Monday's Prayer of Grace:

Lord, I have so many reasons to be thankful;

let my attitude be a reflection of the many blessings

I have received.

Make me a woman whose thoughts are Christlike and

whose hopes are worthy of the One

who has given me so much.

Amen.

"Optimism is that faith that leads to

achievement.

Nothing can be done without hope

and confidence."

Helen Keller.

"Each one of us is responsible for our own happiness.

If we choose to allow ourselves to become miserable and unhappy,

the problem is ours, not someone else's."

Joyce Meyer

("However, we are concerned and try to help. The librarian and I are helping this girl." me)

"I could go through this day oblivious to the miracles all around me,

or I could tune in and 'enjoy'."

Gloria Gaither

Blessings to you all as you go through this week!

Corner View: Street Art

My mind was was a bit foggy this past weekend

with so much going on,

that I missed lots of opportunities to capture street art.

The first two photos are from last year's Pumpkin Festival Parade.

This year I concentrated on the heavy machinery and tractor

entries to use for a slide show card for my grandson in Texas,

who LOVES such things especially backhoes.

So I had to go hunting in last year's pics for this post.

My son's fatherly responsibility was tested when his 9-yr.-old daughter

very much wanted to go on this ride, but not alone.

He could not let her down--she was being quite careful on how she spent her tickets

and this was one she saw looming above the festivities,

as they drove to our house,

and instantly liked.

She looked at others as we perused the offerings,

but this won out.

The riders are strapped in as they stand.

Their heads are protected by buffers on each side.

Peyton was glowing after the ride.

Her dad's face was perhaps a slight shade of green---and he was a bit queasy,

but also happy he could do this for his little girl.

For more corner views, check out Francesca's place.

Barn Charm #56

We came upon this barn suddenly.

My husband knew it was down there,

so was looking for it.

I was caught totally by surprise.

It is part of what was once a successful orchard business

in our area.

The Doudna family and the Rockwell family

are two huge Quaker families

who have been here for numerous generations.

However, only the Rockwell family

still runs an orchard business.

I wish I could have gotten more shots,

but we were on a twisty, steep road

with nowhere to pull over.

There is a long, narrow road down to it,

but since they are no longer in business,

it is now a private driveway. 

This is the only evidence left that there was once a thriving business

hidden down among the hills.

Although this is not a barn, since it is almost right beside the orchard sign,

I thought I would show it.

It is the old Quaker meeting house complete with outdoor privies.

It is no longer in use.

They gather at a meeting house at the Friends Boarding School

on the outskirts of Barnesville.

(The school is still very much in operation.)

This was a peaceful place to wander around with a camera.

Back to barns:

for more barn views, please check out Tricia's Barn Charm.

King Pumpkin, grandkids, and Monday's Prayer

This past weekend was Pumpkin Festival time

in our small town.

This celebration of harvest time

has been going on since the late 60s.

It is a wonderful example of small town living.

This was my son's weekend to have the kids,

so I got a bonus: a photo of King Pumpkin with the grandkids sitting on it.

This pumpkin almost broke the record.

One more day and it would have (pumpkins grow 5 lbs a day at this size).

Still, it is quite a specimen as is.

Next came the rides.

Dillon was rocking the 'car'

much to Addy's consternation.

Doug yelled at him from below

and gave that look that means,

"Stop now or pay later!"

Dillon stopped.

She was happiest closer to ground.

However, she did get into it, and we got some mid-air smiles from her

as well as a wave.

It was a heart-warming time for all of us.

Here are some thought of other women to go along with Monday's Prayer.

"Every day of our lives we make choices about

how we're going to live that day."

Luci Swindoll

"Every day we live is a priceless gift of God,

loaded with possibilities to learn something new,

to gain fresh insights."

Dale Evans Rogers

Scripture:

Rejoice in the Lord always.

I will say it again: Rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

Today's Prayer of Grace

Lord, You have given me another day of life;

let me celebrate this day,

and let me use it according to Your plan.

I praise You, Father,

for my life

and for the friends and family members

who make it rich.

Enable me to live each moment to the fullest

 as I give thanks

 for Your creation,

for Your love,

and for Your Son.

Amen.

All are from 100 Days of Grace for Women.

Blessings to you all as you begin this new week!