Blessings Abound

Hi son! What a beautiful day we're having. Sorry I'm late today, but I warned you last week. 

Before I go any further I want to remind you that it was Rita's birthday yesterday. First, her birthday disappeared from my iPhone calendar and I had to ask her to refresh my memory, I was two days off, and then dad's sugar has been messed up a couple of days and so I missed calling her on Saturday. And today of all days, she's off having fun with Morris. Imagine that! So Rita, I know you're reading this, Happy Birthday! I love you!

Dad and I didn't make it to church this morning. He woke up again this morning at 6 am and his sugar was a mess until about noon. It's been dropping way down to the 40's still but he manages to edge it up with honey until it's normal and then it stays okay usually for the remainder of the day. The doctor has written him orders for some new blood work so guess he'll get that done next week. He's fine this afternoon, just stayed quiet this morning until he got it regulated.

I took a "field trip" with Corey this morning. She was headed to Joann's and I was running very low on some specific paint colors that I use a lot. My problem lately is, do I build fairy houses or do I paint. They each make their own mess and the two messes don't mix very well so I try and limit the studio to one particular mess at a time.

Dad and I took a trip to the Habitat Store last week looking for more chairs. I found one that will work but several others they had were $25 each and I'm not looking to invest that much. As

This is what they're for...

Corey and I were picking up Josh from Hebrew School this morning there sat two chairs by the garbage in the alley. We were loaded with flowers and so after I got home dad and I went back and there they still were so we loaded them up. So, dad and I took a trip around the neighborhood and found a very nice night stand to redo, two more chairs for the porch (these are MINE) and a brand new patio umbrella that dad wants to use on the back deck. We had to make two trips but it was worth it. I have enough chairs to last me this week. Next week I'll probably work on fairy houses.

This is what I'm doing with the chairs.

Josie is not feeling well yesterday and today. I stopped in to see her why Corey and Josh were loading up one of their very unfriendly roosters that someone had agreed to take. She's going to come over one afternoon next week and we're going to make her a fairy garden that she can take home in a doll cradle that I have. I picked up some plants today while Corey and I were out.

Dad and I finished our dining room table and chairs and we love them. I put three coats of mod podge on the top while I was laying down the music sheets and then dad put on 7 coats of polyurethane. We love how it came out. Then, dad stripped the kitchen floor and mopped and waxed it anew. You can see yourself in it. Right now, if I look through the studio to the kitchen the kitchen floor looks like a sea of glass. Next week, the studio floor! That's going to be a little bit more of a challenge considering all that I have in there. 

The front porch is coming right along. Those two chairs we brought home today are going to be a week long project but they're all wood so dad can replace one of the bottom braces on one, we'll clean with a wire brush and then a good coat of white enamel paint. I would love to paint a "rug" on the porch but I don't know if I will have the time this year. I'll just have to see how it goes.

We did some checking on the Saturday Market here but they've changed it to Friday night's once a month and it's pretty spendy for us so we're looking at about a half dozen different things going on it our area like church craft sales, flea markets and such where tables are a little less expensive. They have a huge craft market here at Hudson Valley College a couple of times a year but it's way out of our league and everything has to be hand made from scratch; nothing reclaimed, refreshed or reused. That kind of defeats our whole purpose of trying to use what's already available and still usable or re purposed. I could make signs, and most likely will, but a space for that particular fair is $350 for the weekend for a 4x10' space.Our of our league.

So tell me, what's Spring like in heaven? I can only imagine. And that's as it should be, but I can picture iris, lilacs, daffodils, tulips, fuchsias, daisies, black-eyed susans, sweet peas, and oh the fragrance. I can just smell all of those flowers and see the butterflies and birds. I can hear the crickets at night and hear the bullfrogs croak in the full streams and under the waterfalls. Heaven must be a glorious place. I guess I really didn't think much about heaven when I was younger. I knew it was there and that one day I'd be there but other than that, not many questions. But, as people I love have gone on to be with the Lord the image has become clearer. I'm sure that everyone who things about heaven imagines it in his or her own way. I imagine it with the things that I love and enjoy. Dad and I often talk about and wonder if you're actually getting to spend time with family you never knew. If you've had a chance to spend time with your "pa" and "ma" Jamison, "mamaw and papaw" Coffman, great grandpa and grandma or the three brothers/sisters that we lost before and after you. For us, it's more comforting to think about you being with people who love you than to just imagine you "off in a void" somewhere. But then again, never in my life did I EVER see you without people around you who knew and loved you. 

Well, I do believe Spring has finally arrived. Enjoy your time there with beauty we cannot even imagine here. Spread your joy. As I sit here and look over at your picture I can only smile and I think again about how proud the Lord must be knowing He created such a man after His own heart. I know we are.

Until next week, be Aaron, love mom


 

Reality in a Mirror

Good morning son! What a beautiful day. The sun is out and the leaves are showing on the trees. Spring is working very diligently to break out everywhere. Although, I did have to cover all my new plants on the porch due to freezing last night. What's up with that? 

I said on Facebook this last week, "Is is bad that my house looks like it needs a housekeeper and all I want to do is paint? Too bad!? I must say however, that only works so long. If I don't do some housekeeping tomorrow, with dad's help, we're going to have to plant a garden in here. 

Yesterday, I finished another chair and started the kitchen table. Dad's been waiting since I finished the kitchen chairs. I finished all the painting. Today I'm doing the table top. He's asked that I mod podge the top with some of his old sheet music. Last night we sat down and went through it all and picked out some pieces. We've had it for over 25 years and some of it was older than that when we bought it so we might as well use some of it. I think it's going to be really great when I get it done.

Flower stand

Flower drawers

I could paint every day and still have more projects to do. However, once the table is complete the other projects will be for building up stock to sell. I love the raised flower boxes I made out of old dresser drawers. This next Saturday dad and I are going to begin our garage sale, flea market, dumpster diving, side of road salvaging extravaganza of Spring and Summer. Some of the best items we've found have been left on the side of the road here. Some garbage days it's like a treasure trove for the pickin'. You can leave anything, and I mean anything, out for the garbage here and they pick it up: couches, hot water heaters, dressers, old lumber, plants. You name it and they'll pick it up. 

Flower stand

And, so can anyone else. It's a hoot and like I said, we've found some great things to recycle.Well, enough of the chit-chat, oh wait, that's what we do every Sunday morning isn't it. Well truth is, I chit but you don't do much of the chat. You use to be able to work that right in. You knew the exact moment when I wast going to take a breath and you would jump right in. We had some great conversations didn't we. I miss those two-way conversations every day, but, I'm okay and can now actually say it and smile.

Kristin told dad she has mailed him your old Monopoly game pieces. He's very excited. I'm keeping my eyes open for an old printer's drawer so he can display them in his study. It was just too expensive to mail the cases too.They're suppose to arrive next week and he's looking forward to looking through them and having them close.

Aaron and his dad

I need to talk with you about something. Dad and I are going to begin visiting some churches in the area next Sunday. That will mean that our Sunday morning conversations  will need to happen at another time during the week. I know that will be okay with you, but I'm having a little "twitch" about it. Dad and I agree that it's time to find a church. It's been a long time. We don't have any great aspirations other than to go worship and fellowship. If the Lord has something else, He'll let us know. We've found a small  Baptist church in Rensselaer. Dad and the pastor have talked a couple of times. We drove by last week. It's quite an old building and they only have about 25 members. I do have to admit that at first I balked a little. Another small church and all seniors. Then the Lord softly...slapped me upside the head, and said, "I just could have something for you there. These are my faithful servants you're talking about.  Go!" I got the message. Besides that, I had to laugh when I turned my nose up at the fact everyone was a senior as I turned around and looked in the mirror. FBC Rensselaer NY

Mother's Day is right around the corner and I want to warn you ahead of time, that's the most difficult day of the year for me. That's the day I miss you the most. You always made Mother's Day so very special. From the first Mother's Day after you were born dad always made sure it was a very special day for me. As you got older, you always continued to make it a very special day. I don't think they'll be tears this year, but if there are we'll just deal with it.

God continues to provide and bless us. We're looking forward to trying our hand at Saturday Market here in Troy. I'm looking forward to the buying part; fresh fruits and veggies and dad is looking forward to the selling part; refreshed, re-purposed and re-painted items. A good project for Spring and Summer. A chance to refresh, re-purpose, and "re-paint" things in our lives.To reuse the old skills in a new way.

I love you son. Always have, always will. Have a great week in heaven. I'll be in touch . Until then, I love you, be Aaron. Love mom

Amazes He Still Amazes

Spring does come!

Good morning son! We're looking forward to a sunny and 52 degree day and then mid-60's to 70 the remainder of the week. The birds have been thick on the porch enjoying the bird feeder. Just about the time I think the squirrel has given up I look out and there he is again looking up and trying to figure out how he's going to reach it.  The wind is pretty breezy out there this morning but it doesn't seem to be effecting the birds at all.

It's been a busy week as usual; wouldn't have it any other way, but didn't get to spend enough time in the studio. I'm working on stocking up the fairy house inventory and want to begin on our next big project. We took a trip to Home Depot yesterday to pick up color swatches so I can decide what colors to use for the dresser I'm redoing. I think I'll be going with "shades of grey" believe it or not. LOL. I didn't even realize what I was saying until I put it on paper. Dad wanted to paint it the same shades of blue we have in the house but after the "chairs incident" I don't think that's a good idea. Remember the chairs I refinished and recovered a few weeks ago? Well, once I finished them dad "begged" to keep them. I can't say I was too disappointed to keep them so they are now in our kitchen and I'll be redoing the chairs we had in the kitchen. I just laughed when he said do the dresser in our shades of blue. If I keep redoing things in the colors we love NOTHING will leave this house!

Here's what I've started.

First thing on the agenda today though is to get my starter plants replanted. They are quickly outgrowing the egg cartons in which they began their journey. They're coming along really great and I'm very excited to see how they do throughout the season. I've always talked about pre-starting the seeds but have never done it. I find myself more and more into outdoors, the porch and deck, flowers and plants lately. Dad's going to help me move my Double Delight rose to the front porch. I really can't plant a lot in the small front yard we have because the deer will keep it eaten right down to the ground. I think I'm going to try planting some Creeping Jenny and see how that works. I don't know if the deer like it or not so guess I'll check before I plant.

Poor dad. He never quite knows where I'm going next when it comes to projects. The truth is, neither do I.  Right now I'm pretty much going with what I have. Dad is so good about just going where I point. Right now he's going to hang my old screen door, that use to be on the wall, in the entry to our laundry room. He laughed when I told him what I wanted but he'll do it. He said he's never thought about a screen door on a laundry room entrance. Why not? I have it so I can use what I already have. I'll add sheers instead of screen and voile' it hides the laundry room. I can't wait. Dad and Jamison have been great gatherers for the bark and moss for the fairy houses. They take "gathering bags" with them everywhere. I have to be careful what I ask for or dad will be stripping bark from trees rather than gathering from the ground. I was just texting with your Aunt Bonnie last night and found out she's a crafter too. She's made some cool wreaths and flower arrangement. We shared some pictures and will be sharing more.

Jamison received his first haircut of the season. He looks so cute. After having the "ball of fur" all winter it's so funny to see him clipped down, but it was time. I bet if we had weighed him before his haircut we would have found he lost 10 pounds in hair. Dad kept worrying that he was gaining weight but it's pretty evident once he got his hair cut that that is not the case.

Speaking of dogs, have you seen the newest addition to the household of the Troy 9. No. Oh my goodness, they are two of the cutest puppies ever. And they're so soft. They are a mixture of boxer, shepherd and lab. They are the coloring of a chocolate lab. They're two little girls named Biggie and Reba. They're about 7 weeks old now and believe or not, Biscuit plays with them fine and doesn't try to eat them. You never know, Biscuit is one of the most protective dogs I've ever seen, but one of the sweetest. 

But, of all the things in our lives this last week, we continue to trust the Lord in all things and He continues to amaze us. How can it be that after all these years God still amazes us. I mean really, we know what He can do so why are we surprised when it happens. I've never figured that one out. Here's an example, again. As you know, dad and I pretty much work from cash since we're both retired. It has really simplified our life and makes us extremely aware of what we have to work with at all times. But let's begin at the beginning.

As you know, but don't have to worry about any more, it's tax time. Dad and I talked earlier in the year and decided that from now on we could file our own because after all, we're on a fixed income and nothing really changes from year to year so the short form should work fine. So, I left it figuring I could just put in the income, add a couple of times and be done. Pfft! You'd think wouldn't you? How come then that there are 16 pages of instructions to a page and a half form? I spent an entire day trying to come up with percentages this and percentages of that and what did I get. Nada! So, I made an appointment with the tax person who completed ours last year. I had figured out that we wouldn't own anything. Last year was the first time in 42 years we had not owed. I know, I know, long story but no matter how much extra we had taken out of our paychecks we still ended up owing. Anyway, that's in the past and we're just glad it is no more. Anyway when we called  H & R to talk with Beverly she said to come in and she'd take a look and tell us how much it would cost to figure taxes before you did them and filed them. She gave us an estimate, filed our taxes, we owed nothing and when we left the office we had $21 in our pockets and we still had to get gas, we were on empty. We said thank you Lord, stopped and got $20 in gas and went home for lunch. We knew we'd be fine until payday and had plenty to keep us busy so other than just knowing things we're so close we'd make do with what we had. 

Jamison knows when the mail comes every day. We had left him home that morning and so by the time we got home he immediately began nagging dad to go check the mail. Dad come in and handed me the mail just like he always does and guess what. There, buried in a handful of junk mail, was a check from KJCG  for mileage that we had both forgotten about.  We both laughed and enjoyed the moment knowing that God cares for us more than the birds on our porch or the flowers that spring forth from the winter ground. And here, He proves it yet again.

The Birds of Heaven
& the Lilies of the Field

Scripture: Matthew 6:24-34 (Luke 12:24-27) 24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon. 25 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more  value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O  men of little  faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' 32 For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. 34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day.

Until next week, be Aaron, love mom

It's Spring, Let's Have Some Sun and Warmth Please

Good morning son! It's Spring right? I mean no changes were made up there that we don't know about right? We've had warm, sunny, no jacket weather. Wind at 50 MPH. Clouds and wind. This morning rain and wind that will blow dad and Jamison over if they head outside. I have a dozen spray paint jobs I need to complete. If I tried spray painting in this wind I'M the only thing that would get painted and it would take a dozen cans of paint. Let's get back on track here okay! I just started 132 flower plants yesterday. In the next couple of weeks it will be time to get them in the ground. I don't want the pots and planters to blow off the porch and deck. The birds are REALLY going to be happy. I started 10 giant Sunflowers for them. They grow to 8-12'. 

For a water feature I've decided to do what grandma did. I have no close water source so I'm

going to get half a wine barrel and create a mini fish pond. If I can find my fountain with it's recirculating pump they'll have a fountain. I figured out a way to make, what I think, will be a very cute bird bath, and a water feature to attract butterflies. Did you know that butterflies need a "salt lick"? Me either. The things you learn on Pinterest.  Butterfly Salt Lick 

Later this week dad and I are going to try and hit some garage sales. I need to start looking for pots to put all these flowers in. I'm also looking for a few shutters to use on the porch. Eventually we're going to get a fire pit for the back deck. Carol and Tom gave us permission to paint the entry so sometime soon I'll get that done. If the wind dies down any this afternoon dad and I are going to take a couple pallets apart and build some wooden planters.

The last couple of days we've really "hit" it. I finally set down about 4:30 yesterday afternoon when dad brought me a cup of coffee. Poor dad. Just about the time he finishes one project I'm talking about 15 more. I'm sure he thinks I just thought them up, but most of the projects we're currently working on I've wanted to do since the day we moved into this house. The porch really didn't get finished in time for me to do anything last season so I'm just getting started now. Dad handles it really well though. He's a trouper as always.He's a rock for me and I know that no matter what, he's there for me and I can count on him. Neither of us can go like we use to. I certainly can't work 12-14 hour days, take care of our home, do yard work and stay up half the night and paint the kitchen, but, I worked like that so I don't have to any more. Dad said the other night while we were getting ready for be, "You've worked your entire life to be able to be this tired doing what you're doing didn't you?". He gets me. We might not be able to do it all and be it all, but we're able to do and be what we enjoy doing and being...and along the way, we're able to work in a few other things as well.

We're eating better too. I'm finding so many great new foods, again on Pinterest. I try to make at least two new dishes each week and at least one of them meatless. Believe it or not, dad's right on board. Last week we tried Baked Southwest Egg Rolls . They were yummy and we will be having them again. I also tried Bacon Omelet Bites . They're yummy and heat up beautifully in the microwave for breakfast later in the week. Dad has to carry something in his pocket all the time so he can snack and keep his sugar level UP. Believe it or not his sugar has been very low the last couple of months. The doctor is checking it out. In the meantime he was carrying crackers, nuts and granola bars. They are yummy and no bake. Dad wanted ham this last week. This week my ankles look as though someone has pumped them full of water. But he loved it. Yesterday I took the bone and made him some navy bean soup. I must say, it is delish and he's happy as a clam. Yesterday I cooked a couple of yams and I'm going to make these, Veggie Sweet Potato Burgers   Don't they look yummy! Wish you were here!

Last week I was able to spend 5 hours with the Troy 7. Well, actually 5. Sierra was in school and Josh was on vacation with his dad. We talked and laughed. I made tuna. They turned up their noses. LOL  Josie and I made salt dough cutouts. Later in the week Josie and Diane came over for a couple of hours and we painted the cutouts we had made and had lunch. Diane and I had a great visit and you can't help but be happy and laugh when Miss Josie is in the room.

I have another batch of Fairy Houses to "build". Dad and Jamison always bring in some "jewels" from the walks. I was able to go one day last week but as long as this cold wind keeps up the top of the hill is out for me. The last thing I need is fibromylagia kicking up. I've done pretty well this winter. Only one episode. But I must say, IT'S TIME FOR SPRING AND WARM WEATHER! Are you hearing me? Put in a good word. Time's awasting!
  

Dennis, his grandpa's namesake.

This week I'd also best get busy on a baby blanket. Meg and Clay have their fourth boy, Miles Clayton, born healthy and happy. They have four of the cutest boys. How fortunate they are. In the next week or so Jenny and Phil are expecting their little girl, Georgia Jean, little sister to Dennis. I own two blankets there! Babies seem to be coming out of the wood work. As I told you earlier, Allegra graduates from high school May 24th. We're looking at a way for me to go. We'll see how it works out. The Lord knows the desires of my heart. Dad and I will do what we can.

Allegra & Bella

 Dad and I will hit the County Clerk's Office this week and pick up our DBA. Dad would really like to do the Troy Tight Knit (Saturday Market for crafters). We're building and crafting like crazy in preparation. More to come later.

Until next week, be Aaron, love mom