Sunday, December 29, 2013

Just what we needed...

...time away. No clocks being set. No daily chores. No work. No errands to run. No cleaning a house. No telephone ringing. No person asking work questions. No...No...No.

Sleep-ins. Lounging. Spur of the moment fun decisions. Reading & Journaling. Crossword Puzzles & Text Twist. Afternoon movies. Naps on a balcony & Walks on the beach. Yes...Yes...Yes.

Cloudy day. Gorgeous day. Cold day. Sunny day. Rainy day. Beautiful day. Just love being away with hubs & having a good time of fun & relaxation.


Thursday, December 26, 2013

"Truckin....along the highway! or Rolling...rolling...rolling on the interstate!"

Glenn & I traveled to SC for a Christmas celebration with my family. Arriving safely & unpacking on the 20th, we settled in for a moment before getting back in the car, driving to my sister's house across the field & getting she & David and riding up to Stanton's BBQ to meet Frank & Ann. (Ann stayed home due to bronchitis.) Stanton's is a favorite family restaurant. It also sets on the old Goodwin Plantation, and the area is still referred to as Goodwin's Mill Pond.

Mom had the house decorated for Christmas. Shiloh members gathered at moms house Tuesday the 17th for a church Christmas get-together. Susan helped mom decorate.


I sang with Smyrna & Shiloh choirs for their Christmas music presentation on the 20th. Afterwards we all gathered in the fellowship hall for some hors doeuvres. We had a good time.

Christmas day was festive with 17 of our family present. From BBQ chicken wings or fried chicken wings to sausage balls, pigs n blanket or sloppy joes we had a great start of delicious pick-ups. We also munched on cheese balls, dips and a large assortment of desserts.

With bellies full and all of us seated around the front room, we played a "left/right" Nativity Game. Frank ended up with the candy jar.

I handed out the Christmas gifts this year three at a time. Each one opened their gift and held it up for all to see. Some of the gifts I saw were "handmade" foot spa mix, burlap garden flags, peanut brittle, cross-stitch pieces from 1981, guitar canvas..........oh my, there were so many presents being opened and all kinds of gifts from the heart.

My family is blessed to share this time together. Mom enjoys all of us being at home. Happy thoughts for dad...his children coming back home to celebrate together the birth of our Savior and family love. Dad loved this time of the year...and being Santa to all of us.


Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Treasured Blessings

I recently read a quote that 
I once thought I'd never experience. 
It was.....

"I think as you grow older 
your Christmas List gets shorter, 
because the things you want 
can't be bought."

As I am getting older, I see where this quote 
relates so much in my life...
from Christmas to birthdays and 
life in general.

So I invited friends to share an evening with me. 
Somewhat of a Christmas gift to me from them.

We had a great night of delicious food, 
lots of fun & fellowship
with a constant thread of laughter.

These girls are not THINGS 
to be bought. 
Our friendship is true and alive.
They are my Treasured Blessings of Faithful Friends


Table flowing with delicious hors doeuvres and 
seating watched over by the Christmas Bears.


They know I am a "Game Fanatic". 

"Dirty Santa"

Treasured Blessings 

Love My Girlfriends!

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Forever My Heart



FOREVER MY HEART
*****
For the one who stole my heart
you'll ever be my charge.
No matter come what may
to rest upon your soul.

To see you change your life
and begin anew with love.
Forever does my heart and mind
rest well with prayers spoke.

My heart does swell at the joy of your heart
as blessings of life you enjoy.
For each new day I will continue to pray
for the heart of the one...my forever little boy.
*****
mgf/10-14-13/PCB


Happy Birthday Son!

Sunday, December 8, 2013

...so strange seeing someone else drive you
and even stranger seeing you parked where
I am going.


Saturday, December 7, 2013

SEC CHAMPIONS

AUBURN UNIVERSITY
"War Eagle"


Schedule 2013
DateOpponentResult / Time
8/31vs.   Washington StateW    31 - 24
9/7vs.   Arkansas StateW    38 -   9
9/14vs.   Mississippi StateW    24 - 20
9/21at     LSU #6L     21 - 35
10/5vs.   Mississippi #24W    30 - 22
10/12vs.   Western CarolinaW    62 -   3
10/19at     Texas A&M #7W    45 - 41
10/26vs.    Florida AtlanticW    45 - 10
11/2at     ArkansasW    35 - 17
11/9at     TennesseeW    55 - 23
11/16vs.    Georgia #25W    43 - 38



Thrown by the AU quarterback to #5 Ricardo Louis &
tipped his way by Georgia players. 
Ricardo Louis made an "AMAZING CATCH"  
to run for the touchdown & the win over Georgia.

Auburn is now 10-1 
as they prepare to play rival Alabama.

11/30vs.    Alabama #1W    34 - 28

Bama is up for a field goal &
the kicker doesn't quite make it.
Chris Davis catches the ball & runs 109 yards
for a touchdown & the WIN over Bama.


Now we play Missouri for the SEC Championship.


12/7vs.    Missouri #5W    59 - 42

~ AUBURN WINS ~
Auburn ~ SEC Champions

WAR EAGLE!!!

Beautiful Colors

Just a little over a week ago 
I saw just a few leaves on the ground. 
Our trees were still hugging their green leaves.

This morning I stepped outside 
to a wonderful kaleidoscope of Fall colors.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Christmas Fun, Food & Fellowship

What a wonderful time we all had tonight at our Sunday School Christmas get-together! Sue & Peggy made all the festive arrangements from table decorations to the ham & chicken menu. Members of the Sunday School class were asked to bring side dishes and desserts to compliment the meats. Our small gifts for exchange were placed by the Christmas tree.

After our meal we all circled around and each one of us received a gift to hold...just for a moment. Peggy led us in the story game of "Left or Right". As the story ended, we opened our gifts. We then took turns commenting about our gift as we held it up for all to see. Along with the ooo's and ahhhh's, the giver of the gift would be recognized. It was such a fun time.

Our class is such a loving, caring and giving class. What joy!
                   
     

Sunday, December 1, 2013

A little bit of decorations...

...for this year as we celebrate our holidays in SC. Spending time with family is good. I look forward to this coming Christmas with my family. Our last Christmas together (2011) was good but very sad to me as I was missing my daddy something fierce.

Healing from my Heavenly Father and a closer relationship with him was my salvation from a human response of "falling into a deep black hole". I could not cling to His Word for a long time and wailed silently.

Praise God that He loves me NO MATTER HOW I AM!

Slowly He and I found each other again, and I am truly blessed as His child. Blessed beyond what I deserve and what I don't deserve. His "God Winks" each day rest upon my heart, and I am in love.

So for this Christmas season I wish you a most wonderful time of family love with the love of Christ.

House decoration from when I was a child. 

Mantel of Angels & Bears

Love my angels 

BE BLESSED
THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON
WITH THE LOVE OF CHRIST

Saturday, November 30, 2013

IRON BOWL 2013


Auburn (34) and Alabama (28)
WAR EAGLE!

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Stores Opened @ 8 PM on THANKSGIVING DAY

Yes, they did.

Glenn has NEVER wanted to get out among the crazy crowds. However, he asked me to accompany him to Belk Thanksgiving Night around 8PM for a "Buy 1 - Get 2 Free" shirt sale. (He's real weird about how his shirts feel around his neck but these that he found some time ago feel good.)

So off we go and as we turn onto Montgomery Hwy, he sees the mall parking lot and says, "We might need to park a distance and walk because there won't be a parking space." I just tell him to drive on in the lot area directing him to an area where quite a few spaces were available. And we were right near the door that we needed to go in.

As we enter Belk around 8:10PM, there were already long-g-g-g-g-g-g lines at the registers. WHAT!

We "mazed" through the sheets and pillows to the men's department. "Oh, look! Here are the pants I wear for $14.99. Do you see my size?" We found him 2 pair. Moving on to the shirts, I follow him. (He knew just where they were. So funny.)

Now we search for 3 shirts with the colors that he likes. Got them. He decides to look around. So I look at a table nearby, find a Christmas gift and smile.

We look quickly at watches, lingerie and then head to the kitchen appliances. I saw in their sales booklet where they had a stand mixer for around $50. Now I'm not much of a cook or baker but hopefully this will encourage me to try more recipes.

Arms filled we headed to the lingerie register where the line wasn't as long as the others. We met some nice shoppers in front and back of us and enjoyed some light conversation until we checked out.

Glenn's first and perhaps his last "Early Black Friday" shopping.

***   *****   ***

For a number of years I spent Thanksgiving Day with the Franklin Family ladies searching through the sales booklets mapping out my "Plan of Action" for "Black Friday" shopping. Stores would open at varying times...4AM, 5AM, 6AM...and so on. The day after Thanksgiving I would join my family of ladies here in Dothan for a wild day of shopping.

Now it has been years since I have been "Black Friday" shopping. The frantic, frenzy, chaotic mass of shopping just doesn't interest me any more.

I do miss being with the ladies but.................Thanksgiving Family Day will just have to be our time.

Belk @ Greenwood Mall ~ Greenwood, SC

This is how our Belk looked
when we got their Thursday night.
Boots were $19.99 and
boxes were flying.


The Franklin Family Tree
There is 1 tree with 2 major branches.
From these 2 branches extend 4 limbs.

With 3 F's, 2 B's and 2 H's
we gathered to enjoy a delicious meal and
celebrate family time.

Praying that each of you 
have thankfulness in your heart.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Happy Birthday to Hannah!


Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Up & At 'Em...........

Pine straw has fallen and is quite thick in the front yard. Very little debris of pine cones & small limbs are mingled in with the straw. The best time to rake.

So I begin this morning...
           ...and I finish around lunch.

Feeling good & loving the results of hard work.


Tuesday, November 19, 2013

lovin' our new ride


Monday, November 18, 2013

I.AM.ON.A.ROLL!!!!! 

Let the day begin. Open up the large door and prepare the cans..."Save or Trash".

Take photos to show the clutter. 

Battling the dust as you work around the room to sort through the "treasures", you forget to take more photos to show you really are working.

Finishing an all-day job and feeling good.

Monday:  clean & organize shed. CHECK.

Friday, November 15, 2013

I'm just so in the mood for projects. 

Today was perfect for recovering the cornice board in the guest bedroom from a blue flowered print to burlap. I would have an uninterrupted day...no having to stop to make dinner, no housework, nothing.

I began around noon. With the flowered print I felt that a solid fabric should be attached before the burlap.
This is something that I have never tried but I felt that it would be fairly simple. I was right.

With my heavy duty staple gun, scissors, tape measure and materials I carefully began working and taking my time. 

I even added a little pleat on each side to add some character. If I say so myself, the finished cornice board really looks good. 

Wonder what my next project will be...

Thursday, November 14, 2013

As he awakens me this cold morn.
I hear his voice of Happy Birthday.

Eyes slowly open
to a smile and my love.

His goodbye & off to work
as I leisurely stretch 
against the warmth of the covers.

My day has begun
in the best possible way.

Monday, November 11, 2013


Friday, November 8, 2013

Another Project...

...in the works. With the new guest room completed & nothing on my calendar at the moment, I am beginning a transformation of the previous guest room into an office for Glenn. In addition to his day work he is self-employed with accounting work. Something that he may continue after he retires from DHA.

Now here is the part of this project where I would normally call my dad for his advice. If my project was near a "visit from him", I'd set it aside and we'd accomplish my "To Do" list when he arrived. How I miss these calls to him. Dad has been in Heaven for the past two years watching over us.

So I emailed the next in line to my father and a phone call later I was seeking advice from my brother. He is very much like our father and can do almost anything. And yes, like my father, he told me that he would love to be down here with me and do it for me. 

So with good instructions from my brother I began the "Office Room" transformation.

The room is in fairly good condition with the walls having been painted some years ago. My plan is to convert the closet space into a storage space complete with shelves on the left & right of the closet. This will allow Glenn to keep his business books in one area.

At Lowe's while purchasing the utility shelving boards,I got them to cut the boards to equal sizes for me.

Arriving back home & unloading the boards from the car, I changed to work clothes. First, I checked our left-over paint supply to select the color that I wanted to paint the inside of the closet. (There were some scuffs and marks on the walls.) With the color chosen I set out to start with the closet first & then to finish with the boards.


Now for the boards & closet to dry completely before setting in the brackets for the shelves.

***********
All is dry and I am going to practice on my skills. 
Thank goodness it's just a closet.
And my work will be hidden...if I screw up.
***********
With my tool kit, drill and bag of screws, I select the ones that I need to complete the project. Shelving, cut & painted & sitting in the garage, and the brackets have been moved to the office room.

I used painter's tape the hold the bracket in place as i screwed in the screws. Two shelves are in and a third is almost done.

Shelves are in with books already on the shelves.  

My project is completed and 
I am really happy with the results. 
I only hope that during the night 
we don't hear a "loud crash". HA!

Sunday, November 3, 2013



November is here. Crisp, cool mornings with falling leaves of red & yellow. Pine straw beds to warm plants in the upcoming forecast of colder weather.

Pulling out our jeans & boots to go along with our lightweight jackets or sweatshirts. Peanut Festival parade & fair activities.

Honoring men of and for their military service, family birthdays and a day of thanksgiving celebration.

Blessed beyond measure by a loving, awesome Heavenly Father,  I lift my closed eyes,  smile as I raise my hands to give you all the praise & glory. Thank you...

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Felt better today...better than I have in over two weeks...and it's about time.

Flu-like symptoms minus the fever and a few aches. Coughing, or should I say "hacking", really did a number in my throat and chest. On another note... for two days Glenn was probably the happiest man in the world...I couldn't talk...laryngitis.




Thursday, October 24, 2013

The day after the wedding, Sunday, and after church services Gloria and I went to PCB for a few days of rest and relaxation. We did absolutely NOTHING, and it was WONDERFUL!

She even commented, "It's so nice just the two of us. I don't have to talk to you at all." HA!!! So funny... 

We did get our rest and a few pictures.

small feather floated around the balcony & 
landed on my knee

strange...but this is a bird in flight 
near the balcony 

a bird perched on my foot 

gorgeous skies 

beautiful sunset

and a great sister-in-law. 

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

HEARTS SPRING FORTH
*****
The early morning springs forth
out of a calm and restful night
to erupt into a cascading flurrying
of scheduled moments in time.

To an art of details
for a smooth and fine tuned day.
We give of our love
for completeness of the welcoming new.

A love of the common
yet so unique to their soul.
A birth of rejoicing
and two hearts unfold as one.
*****
mgf/10-14-13/PCB



WANDERING
*****
Out of the depths of the wanderings
of what was sheer confusion at times
emerges an understanding of a life at bay.
*****
mgf/10-15-13/PCB

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs.Garrett D. Franklin
Saturday, October 12, 2013
2 PM
Memphis Baptist Church
Dothan, Alabama


Saturday, October 5, 2013

2013 AJG

~~~ Mansion on Forsyth ~~~
Savannah, Georgia
Sept 30 ~ Oct 2

The original house was built  in 1888 by the Kayton Family. For $45,000 the house was built with 18,000 square feet. The house was owned by two other families for approximately 50 years. 

A Mr. Kessler built the hotel to mimic the architecture of the original house. Master masons were brought in to lay the brick work because the bricks on the original house were laid so closely together.

This was my first experience in using a room key in the elevator to gain access to our floor. Our room was located on the second floor overlooking the pool. The room was so inviting.

hallways were adorned with artwork, statues, and unusual pieces

Mansion on Forsyth

After arriving at the Mansion and unpacking, we went across the street to Forsyth Park to take a stroll. As we entered the park fountain area, we were privy to a wedding that had just begun. We stopped for a few minutes to witness this special event in the park.

In Forsyth Park are massive oaks filled with hanging moss and a large white marble fountain beauty.

One of my favorite photos from Forsyth Park.

When we arrived back at the Mansion, we met up with our friends Wayne & Sandra East. Always a joy to see our friends from Gasden. We made dinner reservations at The Pink House where we enjoyed catching up with family news as well as good food. 

Pecan Crusted Chicken Breast 
w/Blackberry Bourbon Glaze
Sweet Potato w/Pecan Vanilla Butter
Collards and Rosemary Biscuits & Cornbread

With tummies full we headed back to the hotel for our first night of rest. 

Glenn & Wayne played golf on Monday while Sandra & I were shuttled down to Broughton Street for some shopping. I fell in love with the home decor store 24E. Oh to have the opportunity to start TOTALLY over with furnishing my house. 

Another unique store I enjoyed visiting was Go Fish. This store sells wares from artisans from all over the country living in poverty. As the founder said, "We are not a Christian company. We are a company that understands our call as Christians and believes 'as we have the opportunity, {we must} do good to all people.' Galatians 6:10" I purchased a beautiful necklace and scarf.

We found the neatest little eatery...Goose Feathers. With our convention dinner later that evening, we just needed a light lunch. Quiche, fresh fruit and bottled water was the perfect lunch for us and so good.
 

When lunch was finished, we walked down to Riverfront to do a little more shopping...especially for some pralines...for our dessert.

The Mansion's sister hotel, Bohemian, located on Riverfront is another beautiful hotel. In the back on the Riverfront is a large monument dedicated to WWII veterans. 

From the Bohemian we called for the shuttle to take us back to our hotel where we got ready for the convention dinner. Our cocktail hour afforded us time to visit with other friends attending.
Wayne & Sandra.......Bob & Wayne..;;...Mel & Glenn

Charlotte & Jeff.......our table.......Sheila & Carolyn

Our next day began with a brunch for the spouses & ladies that would be participating in the Trolley Tour. The AJG Group gave us a day's pass on the trolley to be used either Tuesday or Wednesday.
leopard stairway....................brunch food

our adventure

took this picture from the trolley & just love it

We rode the trolley for almost the round trip marking our first stop at City Market. From here we walked back to Riverfront to visit the Riverstreet Market. 

Calling again for the hotel shuttle we waited and were greeted by the same young man, Dewayne, who shuttled us on Monday. Being the sweet persons that we are, Sandra & I sweet-talked Dewayne into letting us off at Whitaker Street so that we could visit some antique shops & specialty stores. This was our best stop ever.

From this location we walked a couple of blocks and through Forsyth Park back to the Mansion .

All of us at the convention gathered together for a short cocktail hour before getting on trolleys that would take us to Vic's on the River for our dinner. Such a great night of good food, fellowship with friends, and lots of fun.

Carolyn & Sheila.......Phillip & Nola.......Glenn & Melanie
Love spending time with the girls

Chocolate fudge cake & amaretta cheesecake...yum, yum!
windows sights @ Vic's............dinner photo

After our delicious meal, a few took the trolley back to the hotel while the rest of us prepared for our Ghost Trolley Tour. 

Our trolley guide spoke a little about the tour as well as photography. He spoke of orbs. These are unexpected, typically circular artifacts that occur in flash photography. Oooooooooo.....ghosts!


Another great trip with the AJG Group and the friends we have made over the years. Looking forward to a year of guessing where our next adventure will take us with the AJG Group.