Clay Balls

A man was exploring caves by the seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake.They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.

He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone! Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left. Then it struck him.

He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!

It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.

We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.

There is a treasure in each one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.

May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay .

May we see the people in our world as God sees them.

I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with each of you.

Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.

My sister Jill sent this today and I had never seen it before. I loved it and wanted to share it with each of you!

I Just Want To Celebrate!

HAPPY 30TH ANNIVERSARY

ROGER AND LORI

(my brother and sister in law)

THIS IS HARRY AS A GROOMSMAN

(IN ROG AND LORI'S WEDDING 30 YEARS AGO.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALI

(ROG AND LORI'S YOUNGEST DAUGHTER)

(june 27)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH-ETT

(ONE OF MY BFF'S)

(june 29)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER CARLA ELAINE

(july 1st)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY/PAPA

(july 3)

MY BEST WISHES AND LOVE TO ALL!

Monkey Bars

I took Anna and Shelby to the St. Simon's Isl. pier yesterday. As you can tell from the pictures they have a really nice little playground overlooking the ocean. But for some reason, un known to me, Shelby wanted to play on the bicycle rack, which she called the "monkey bars". Anna and I couldn't help but laugh at the kid. Neither one of us could figure out what she was doing. We guessed she was posing for the camera??? Fun good times.

Someday?

Shelby knows the days of the week in order. They sing a little song about the days of the week in pre-school. Yesterday Shelby said, "today is Friday." I said, "no today is Thursday, tomorrow is Friday." I started to sing the song and she joined me in singing it. Then she asked Anna, my 10 year old niece, did she know the days of the week?
Anna said the days and when she got through Shelby said, "don't forget Someday!" I said "WHAT, Someday?, that's not a day of the week!" We all started laughing. I think Shelby thought she told a joke. It was funny, I guess you had to be there.

Okay, I'm getting forgetful. Anna called me out on this little story. It was "One day" instead of "someday." "Anyway," you get the point!

Tagged! :(

I Hate Being Tagged! But seeing it was by my sweet daughter in law Christon, I'll give it a shot.


How to play this game. Post these rules on your blog; List 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names....


3 JOYS

Gospel Of Jesus Christ

My Family

My Friends


3 FEARS

Losing any of the above

Cancer

satan


3 GOALS

weight loss

exercise more

drink more water


3 CURRENT OBSESSIONS

Tomatoes

Mixed berries and yogart

Reading


3 RANDOM SURPRISING FACTS

We had a pet farret named "Nacho"

I love "Dancing With The Stars"

I Love Old Black and White Movies


5 People I Tag

JENNIFER

LISA

HALEY

GOODYGANG

CAROLYN

What To Cook?

Shelby Coming Around The Mountian

Shelby and Pop Pop

Christon and Reagan

Aunt Jor Jor and Reagan

Gigi and Pop Pop

These are pictures of us on the train ride that went around Stone Mountain. The Conductor gave us some history of the Mt. and then they played some songs like, "I've Been Working On The Railroad" and "Midnight Train to Georgia" and then surprise of all surprises they played Shelby's song, "She'll Be Coming Around The Mountain." We have a funny story about that song. One day about a year ago we were out driving and listening to a children's music CD. Shelby told me she wanted to hear her song. I'm like "what's your song??" She told me, "you know the song with my name!" I don't have a clue?, "What song are you talking about?" And she says, "you know, 'Shelby Be Coming Around The Mountain'" Now say it fast, can't you see how she could make that mistake? There is no convincing her other wise. That will always be "her" song. She sang it loud and knew every word.

River Boat Ride

"What do you mean,

I got to wear this thing??"

When we went to ride the big river boat

they made Shelby put on a life vest.

From the pictures you can

tell she wasn't thrilled.

I love this picture!

Finally we get a smile!

More Pictures

Christon and Jordan

Shelby's favorite place to be

is on her Pop Pop's lap.

Harrison's favorite store, Bass Pro Shop.

More pictures of our weekend.

Aunt Jor Jor and Shelby

Uncle Travis and Pop Pop

Little Miss Reagan

Take Me "Back" To The Ball Game!

As we were driving home yesterday from Atlanta, Shelby told us she wanted to go back to the ballgame! That excites me, because we love baseball in this house. You have to start little girls out early and they'll love baseball too. Her daddy loves all sports but played baseball for 9 years. By the way she wanted to go back to the hotel too. That girl knows she loves a Holiday Inn Express. (just like her Gigi)

How To Can Tomatoes

Take these.

Do this.

and you'll get this!!

Stone Mountain

Today we're going here

with the children and

grandchildren!

Hot-Lanta

BRAVES!

Tonight! 7:35 P.M.

8th Row, Field Level!!

13 Things Thursday

13 Things I could live without!

1. collard greens

2. turnip greens

3. mustard greens

4. heavy traffic

5. mosquitoes

6. summer heat over 90*

7. humidity over 50%

8. worms (eating my tomatoes)

9. roaches

10. ragweed

11. pollen

12. telephone solicitors

13. grouchy store clerks

Hot House

Over night guests.

Harrison got home yesterday and had no air. The temperature in the house was 89*. So they came back to town and stayed with us. Shelby thought that it was fun that her whole family had a sleepover at Pop Pop's and Gigi house!

Bathing Beauty

Miss 15 month old Reagan.

Hair full of sunscreen.

Anna and Shelby in background.

1965 Ford Falcon

My Daddy taught me to drive. We had a white 1965 Ford Falcon station wagon. It was the only new car my parents ever bought. It was a standard shift, 3 on the column. I loved that car! (White Fords must be in my blood because I drive a white Ford vehicle now.) That car would hold a lot of friends and sisters and brother. Only thing, the gas gage didn't work. So daddy taught me to figure out how many miles it would get to the gallon and then keep a check on the odometer and when it got close to those miles I would know to fill it up again. More than once I ran out of gas and daddy had to bring me some more. Those were the days when we didn't have cell phones. So running out of gas wasn't that convenient. But I had so much fun in that car. When I was growing up my parents would let down the back seat, throw in a single bed mattress and off we'd go, on trips, to the beach, and many evenings to the drive-in movie. Daddy would back into the parking spot and then he'd let down the tail gate and all 5 of us kids would lay there on our tummies and watch the movie. Mama and daddy would get out and sit in lawn chairs. I love drive in movies. They still have one in Jesup GA. and Harry and I've talked about going soon as they show something worth seeing.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my daddy!

What a wonderful example you have

always been in my life and the lives

of my children. You are truly loved

beyond measure and words can say.

and Happy Father's day to the

daddy of my children and

my sweetheart forever!

Flag Day

In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; in August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress.

The week of June 14 is designated as "National Flag Week." During National Flag Week, the president will issue a proclamation urging U.S. citizens to fly the American flag for the duration of that week. The flag should also be displayed on all Government buildings. Some organizations hold parades and events in celebration of America's national flag and everything it represents.

Rollie Pollies

Shelby loves rollie pollies. She picks some up every morning. Yesterday she collected about 15 from around my driveway. I gave her a little bowl to keep them in. She just loves them. She wanted to take them to VBS. I made her leave them on the porch until she got home, then she could play with them. While she was gone we had a "frog strangler" of a rain storm. I never thought any more about the critters. When I picked her up and came home she ran to get her bugs and they were floating in her little bowl. She was so crushed, she looked up at me and said, "oh no! they all drowned" It was sad but I told her it was okay and she could find some more when things dried out. I'm not sure what those little creatures are good for, but they sure give little kids hours of fun.

13 Things I Love the Smell Of

1. rain

2. babies

3. freshly mowed lawn

4. Johnson and Johnson baby lotion

5. cinnamon rolls baking

6. my mama

7. pineapple yankee candle

8. Polo Black

9. clean linen

10. downey april fresh

11. fresh strawberries

12. ocean breeze

13. fresh baked apple or peach pie

3 year old photographer

Shelby took this picture of me when we were at Silver Springs a few weeks ago. I was really surprised that she had me centered. It's pretty good for a 3 year old photographer. My hat was a little chopped off but all in all it wasn't bad.

I hate having my picture made. I never really like the way I look in pictures. This one is actually okay, except for the fact that I might be "bustin out" my top. Weight Watchers here I come AGAIN!!

BLT's

PLUS THIS

EQUALS

TONIGHT'S DINNER!

Yum!

This tomato is from my garden! This is the first time I've had a garden. I can't tell you how excited I am
and just how good it tasted. The cucumber is from my friend Kim's garden. Isn't nice that she shared of her abundance?

(Aren't my plates cute? My children, ((Christon and Jordan)) got them for me for Christmas! They make me so happy. I just love all things Black and White.)

Guest Room

$49.95?? Not any more!

"Mo"

This is the Boss!

He rules this house!

Until the grand daughters show up.

Then they rule!

He's a our 7 year old male

"Maine Coon" cat.

He weighs 25 pounds.

He's a big boy!

He's been on diet food

since he was a year old.

His given name is Gizmo.

Then Shelby came along and couldn't

say Gizmo and called him "Mo"

instead. So we all call him that now.

I was trying out my new camera

and he was a willing participant.

Flip Me, Pop Pop!

Miss Shelby was just full of it.

Flip me Pop Pop!

She's a wild woman!

We interrupt this wildness for

a quick kiss from Reagan.

She has to get them when she can.

Pop Pop's Gum

See right where that those little fingers are pointing? That's where Pop Pop keeps his gum!

Little Miss Reagan loves her some gum
and means she's going to have her a piece.

Christon and the girls stopped by after swimming all day. They can't seem to pass our road with out both girls calling out to see Pop Pop.

Say Cheese!

This is the new camera that

came yesterday in the mail.

I'm not real happy just yet

because it's not a Nikon D80.

I'm just glad to have a camera

and no money out of my

pocket because it's a replacement.

I'm still planning on getting

the other one soon.

(Only in my dreams,

Hey, I can plan can't I???)

13 Things About Yesterday

1. Shelby woke me up at 5:30 AM.

2. She peed my bed. (I forgot the pull-up)

3. Christon brought Reagan at 8:00AM.

4. We had breakfast at "Ziegs" again.

5. Went to Walmart for milk and yogurt.

6. Ran in to Amanda as we were leaving.

7. Borrowed her oldest daughter. (We had wanted Madi to spend the day with us but forgot to call and make arrangements. So was our good fortune to run into them. Madi has a 3rd birthday on Saturday but she and her family will be out of town on vacation and we wanted to have a party for her before she left. We look for any reason to party around here!)

8. Stopped by Dollar Store for balloons, party stuff, more arts and crafts and Madi picked out her presents. (balloon, doll, cards, puzzle, princess figurine and some way cute flip flops.)

9. Made sugar cookies.

10. Shelby picked my first tomato from my garden!!!

11. Watched 3 little girls play in the pool and sprinkler. Bathed 3 little girls. 6:00pm, Sent 3 little girls packin...

12. Cooked dinner.

13. Remade my bed with all freshly washed linen!!!

Annie

Harry and I took Shelby last evening to see my niece, my brother aka "Barney's friend Chris's" daughter, the Princess, in her 5th grade musical production. They did selected songs from "Newsies" and "Annie"! The Princess wore the curly red wig and red dress. Yes that 's right folks she was "Annie"! She did her family "PROUD"! I would like to take a little credit for her having the staring role. Thank you, thank you very much! She has watched the movie "Annie" at my house no less than 50 times if not more, since she was 2 or 3 years of age. She was WONDERFUL and I hope her father puts some pictures on his blog today and I will steal them and put them over here on my blog. (DONE see above) We took her some flowers and I let Shelby take them to the stage and present them to her. Shelby was so excited to see the Princess perform. She told us she wanted to get on the stage and do that too. I'm just not sure that the world is ready for Shelby yet?

Shelby was so funny on the drive home. I read 6 of her favorite books and then she told us she wanted to read them to us. So she opened the books and sang them to us. On about the 3rd book, Harry told her that it sounded like she was singing the same book over and over. We are not really sure what she was singing. I'm just sure it was Italian. She finally grew tired of singing and let me read again. After 4 more books her little head fell over to the side and she was out. I carried her in and put her in my bed so we had a sleep over. Fun good times!