Hey y'all...

I tell you what!  I am horrible at this blogging thing!  I am always "going to write a post" only to get side-tracked by one thing or another.  I can never put my finger on just what caused me to get off track, either!  If only you could see into my brain you would understand!  120 miles an hour and getting nothing done!

So, are you all as cold as we are?  Good grief, Charlie Brown!  It has been brutal the past couple of days but we are supposed to warm back up to what they say is our normal Fall temps.  We have been in this state for going on 23 years and I have yet to see "normal" temps...no matter the season!  Anyhow!

Have you started working on Christmas gifts, yet?  I am so proud of myself!  I have the granddaughter's quilt finished, my son in love's gift is done, and I have almost completed the quilt for my grandson!  Everything else will be store bought because I have folks that don't appreciate or understand the value of a handmade gift.  Sad, isn't it.  Oh well...they will one day, I suppose!  Not going to worry about that.  Less work for me!  

We have been eating a lot of soups, stews and chili since the weather has gotten colder.  I've tried several new recipes and most of them turned out just wonderful.  Last night I made Crockpot Sweet Potato Stew from a recipe I found at Chelsea's Messy Apron.  

It was very good!  I tweeked the recipe, here and there, just a little bit.  I used Cajun seasoning rather than seasoned salt and naturally, I used way more garlic and worchestershire sauce than what was called for.  Also gave it a good dash of Louisiana Hot Sauce, which wasn't called for at all, but what is food without hot sauce!?  I have to say, I was apprehensive to make this because of the sweet potatoes.  I am the only one who likes yams but honestly, you couldn't even tell they were in there unless you looked and my Mister seemed to like it just fine.

I have been doing a tiny bit of decorating for Winter/Christmas but I will have to show you that another time.  My granddaughter asked if we could start decorating earlier than usual and since I am the coolest Grandma, of course I said yes!  I figure I have seven trees so that will keep them busy for at least five weeks if they decorate one per week!  I made the decision, last year, that I can live with imperfection if it comes from my grandbabies so if they clump all the decorations in one place or not in just the right spot, well then, that's where it will stay.  I used to wear myself our trying to get everything magazine perfect.  Not anymore!  It is what it is!  Can I tell you how much stress that cut out of this time of year and the good Lord knows, I don't need anymore stress!  

Well, I have to say goodnight my friends!  I hope some of you still read my sporadic ramblings!

Grace & Peace,
Pam

Here I am!

Good morning,kids!  I hope y'all are enjoying some wonderful Fall weather.  It has cooled off, nicely, around here.  Almost too much but I'll take it! 

I bet you are wondering just what has kept me so busy that I haven't posted much.  Well, pretty much the same old things that we are always doing, with some extras thrown in for good measure!  Of course, there is always softball. At least twice a week we are at a game.  The granddaughter is doing so well!  This is her first year and she is a natural so I am so happy that she loves playing!  I'm a firm believer in keeping kids busy with sports, nature, and learning life skills.  Of course you have to keep it fun and exciting, for them, but it is so important to give them things to do instead of running the streets or vegging out in front of a video game.  Off topic but I digress.

The temperatures have cooled off and I've brought in my plants for the winter.  My kitchen is looking like a plant farm!  This is just one shelf with just a few plants but there is another shelf on the other side of the room and both are filled to capacity!  Not a single bare spot left.  My husband asked why I have so many plants.  Well, I started with only four several years ago but they keep making babies so now I have a house full.  I don't know how to live without something green growing, year 'round.  What a dull life winter would be without house plants!  Besides they clean the air.  So anyway, my kitchen is full of plants and there are more in the living room and my bathroom.

I spent this morning giving "Hairy the Boston Fern" a haircut. Bless his heart his "hair" was so big that he couldn't get a good watering and was beginning to show it.  I have the hardest time keeping ferns alive and I read somewhere that I should trim them up in the winter months.  Makes sense to me.  When my hair gets all bushy and wild, I feel better after I have a trim, too!

 
"Hairy" already looks happier!  He got a good drink of water and will now retire to his winter home, over on a table in front of a sunny window.  Fingers crossed and prays said, that moody "Hairy" makes it through winter and comes back as big as ever!  He has something to look forward to.  He will be getting a new, bigger, pot in the Spring, so maybe he will want to live! 

My mister and I built a new chicken house for those bratty Bantam chickens.  They were living in a crate in the shop, which was fine, but my Mister got tired of them taking up space.  I saw something on Pinterest about reusing a swing set frame for a coop and we just retired one so we used it.  It needs a few things to make it pretty but that can wait until Spring.  Naturally, about the time we finished it, the weather turned and I insisted they go back into their crate inside the shop.  I know they would have be perfectly find in their new house, with a wonderful heat lamp, but they are so small!  Mister is not exactly happy about them being back in there, though! 

I've been spending a lot of time with this monkey...blue tongue and all!  We have a fun time and he always wants to have a sleep over with Nona.  He will voice his opinion...loudly...if he has to go home.  HeHeHe!  As it should be with grandparents and grandbabies!

Of course, there is so much to do at Nona's house!  We love making playdoh "cookies", painting rocks, and there is this cool container with sand in it...

We love playing cars and the sand makes it even more fun. I keep the sand in this container because I don't want the barn kitties to get the wrong idea about the sand being a litter box.  Ewwww!!!  Also,  this way, I can keep the sand on the porch so he can play even when it is raining.  Besides his electric tractor, 4-wheeler, and monster truck, this is his favorite thing to do.  I kind of like it, too!  😉

Do you journal or keep a planner?  I have no need for a planner but I do like to journal and doodle...mainly doodle.  I decided to start a Scripture journal in order to try and keep up with my Bible reading.  I get so busy and scatterbrained till I forget to get into God's word.  The devil's plan, don't you think?  Ugh!  So anyhow, here is some of my supplies.  I would like to be able to tell you that I haven't missed a day but that would be an untruth.  I missed an entire week but I am back on track and I am trying hard to keep at it.  This is a good way to memorize scripture, as well, and who couldn't use more of that! 

Of course, the Fall skies in Oklahoma are always intriguing and I've been doing a lot of sky watching!  

This is from a morning earlier this month.  The camera just can't catch the splendor that your eye can and this picture just doesn't capture just how amazing this was, but trust me, it was beautiful.  Here are a couple more...

Besides all of that stuff, I've been sewing...A LOT!  Of course, it is time for making Christmas quilts for the grandbabies.

I've finished the one for my granddaughter and will begin my grandson's this week.  I will show pictures after Christmas because I don't want to share just in case one of them sees this post.  I decided to make quilts to fit their new twin beds.  Usually I make small quilts for watching movies but they have plenty of those for now. 

I've been doing other sewing, as well.  Our church had an "Old West Day" this past Sunday, so you just know I had to make outfits for that!  I had no idea where to start but I had a picture in my head so I drew up patterns for vests, chaps, and a skirt, for the grands.  They turned out so cute!

Is that not the sweetest thing you've ever seen?  He really liked dressing up.  He got new boots to go with his outfit and he hasn't wanted to take them off!  Boy after Nona's heart, right there!  Blame it all on his Texas roots! 

Aren't these two the Bee's knees!  I had so much fun making these outfits and the good thing is they can use them for halloween, too.  

So, there you are.  Some of the things that have kept me busy.  Mentioning busy...I better get to it because we have a front coming in tonight and I need to get my rose bushes pruned and things picked up before the wind takes them off!

Grace & Peace,
Pam

Life In Black & White

She may be old and deaf but she is my girl.  16 years old and in great health!  I look forward to more happy years with this Old Dame!

I promise!

Y'all, I have not gone missing!  Really!  I have been super busy but I promise to come back and make a proper post!  I have some good stuff to share!  Well, it's good to me so...

Really, I promise!

Grace & Peace,
Pam

Life In Black & White

When your Grandbaby cleans the yard and chicken house without being asked...

Sunday Morning Southern Gospel

Swing Down Chariot

Oh, swing down sweet chariot

Stop and let me ride

Swing down chariot

Stop and let me ride

Rock me lord, rock me lord

Calm and easy

I got a home on the other side

Swing down sweet chariot

Stop and let me ride

Swing down chariot

Stop and let me ride

Rock me lord, rock me lord

Calm and easy

I got a home on the other side

Ezekiel went down in the middle of a field

He saw an angel working on a chariot wheel

Wasn't so particular 'bout the chariot wheel

Just wanted to see how a chariot feel

Well, well, well

Ezekiel went down and he got on board

Chariot went a bumping on down the road

Zeke wasn't so particular 'bout the bumping of the road

Just wanted to lay down his heavy load

Well I got a father in the promised land

Ain't no more stopping till I shake his hand

Rock me lord, rock me lord

Calm and easy

I got a home on the other side

************
Grace & Peace,
Pam

Life In Black & White

CATCH-UP...not to be confused with Ketchup!

I haven't had a chance to do a "real" post in quite some time so I'm going to try and do it now...if my brain will work with me, that is!  S-C-A-T-T-E-R-B-R-A-I-N-E-D!

Let's see, now.  Back in July I went to the doctor about a lump on my neck.  He sent me for an ultrasound in mid-August.  Sure enough, there was a nodule on my thyroid, just as I suspected.  This was nothing new, really, since I've had it for a couple of years.  Yes, I went to the doctor previously, however, the doctor I was seeing at the time, said it was simply allergies and/or sinus problems.  I knew better but, hey, he's the doctor, right?  The lump neither grew nor hurt so I wasn't too concerned but it was bugging me because it was right there, staring at me, in the mirror every morning.  Understand, nobody else can really see it, but being in tune with my own body, I can see it.  So, it was time to go in for a medication refill evaluation, and I brought the lump to the attention of my new doctor, which I started seeing after I couldn't get in to see the old one for at least 6-9 months after calling.  *sigh*  Don't get me started on that!  Anyhow, after the unltrasound, I was scheduled for a biopsy in early September.  I wasn't worried because I knew God had everything in control and He's already told us not to worry, so I wasn't.  Don't get me wrong, I did have a moment where I broke down, because I just couldn't fathom anything happening to me where my grandbabies would have to grow up without their Nana, but quickly God reminded me that the enemy(devil) comes to "Steal, Kill, and Destroy" and my fear was evil trying to break me down.  That fear lasted for maybe two  minutes and after I prayed, I felt an unexplainable peace come over me and I was no longer worried.  I had the biopsy and just as I knew in my heart, it was benign!  Thank you, God!  I have an appointment, next week, to see an ENT to make sure the lump isn't causing obstruction problems with swallowing or breathing.  If there is no problem, then I am good to go.  Only if it is causing problems will I have to have it removed.  Either way, I am so thankful for God's blessings!

At the same time I had the biopsy, my daughter and son in love, went on vacation, so we had the Grands for a week.  I'm not going to lie...at first, I was annoyed because I had to go through the biopsy, which is stressful to begin with, but then I had to cook three meals a day, do extra laundry, and make sure baths were taken, teeth brushed, and everybody pee'd before going to bed!  Sounds petty doesn't it.  Any other time, I would have be giddy about them coming for a week but I didn't know what was going to happen during or after the biopsy.  Needless to say, the week flew by, I had a blast, and was sad to see those precious babies go home.  Of course, I might have been a little more stressed if my Mister hadn't taken some vacation days to help me out.  Now, though, I see this was all in God's plan to keep my mind for going there...you know where...straight to the "what if's"!  Trust me...I do not EVER need to go there, and I'm so blessed that God and my Mister, know this!

We have been going to the Granddaughter's softball games.  She is getting so good and her team is undefeated, again!  They have really improved and it shows!  Last night, they beat a team that beat them 15-0, back in the Spring Tournaments!  Proud Nona, right here!  Go Heartbreakers!!!

Other than all that, I have been watching tons of FOOTBALL on Saturday and Sundays!  My husband retreats to another part of the house or outside, when I turn the television on!  He is not a sports buff by any stretch of the imagination!  Myself?  I would rather watch sports than anything else,  other than HGTV or cooking shows!

Well, I'm sure there has been so much more going on over the past few weeks but those are the main things happening in my life, at this moment in time!

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Grace & Peace,
Pam

Sunday Morning Southern Gospel

My new-found Uncle Gene, told me about this song. He recited the first verse and I knew I had to find the lyrics for the entire song. This song is very old.  Uncle Gene said he used to sing it when he was a little boy and he is now in his 80's.  I couldn't find a video or recording of the original song but I did find one that is close enough.  Listen and read the lyrics!  Don't let the Lord say, "Depart from me!  I never knew you!".

***********************

A SINNER'S DREAM

(SORRY, I NEVER KNEW YOU)

LAST NIGHT AS I LAY SLEEPING A DREAM CAME TO ME.

I DREAMED ABOUT THE END OF TIME, ABOUT ETERNITY.

I SAW A MILLION SINNERS FALL ON THEIR FACE AND PRAY

THE LORD JUST SADLY LOOKED AT THEM AND THIS I HEARD HIM SAY:

SORRY, I NEVER KNEW YOU, I HAVE NO RECORD OF YOUR BIRTH.

SORRY, I NEVER KNEW YOU GO SERVE THE ONE THAT YOU SERVED WHILE ON EARTH.

WELL I THOUGHT THAT THE TIME HAS SURELY COME WHEN I MUST FACE MY TRIALS

AND I TOLD THE LORD THAT I HAD BEEN A CHRISTIAN ALL THE WHILE.

AND THROUGH HIS BOOK HE TOOK A LOOK AND SADLY SHOOK HIS HEAD

HE PLACED ME OVER ON THE LEFT AND THIS IS WHAT HE SAID:

SORRY, I NEVER KNEW YOU, I HAVE NO RECORD OF YOUR BIRTH.

SORRY, I NEVER KNEW YOU GO SERVE THE ONE THAT YOU SERVED WHILE ON EARTH.

WELL I SAW MY WIFE AND CHILDREN, I HEARD THEIR LOVING VOICE.

THEY MUST HAVE BEEN SO HAPPY, O HOW THEY DID REJOICE.

THEIR ROBES OF WHITE AROUND THEM, A CROWN UPON THEIR HEAD.

MY LITTLE GIRL LOOKED UP TO ME AND THIS IS WHAT SHE SAID:

DADDY, WE CAN'T GO WITH YOU, WE MUST DWELL IN THE JOY OF OUR LORD.

SORRY, BUT WE STILL LOVE YOU, BUT YOU'LL NEVER BE OUR DADDY ANYMORE.

AND THEN I AWAKENED, THE TEARS WERE IN MY EYES

AND LOOKING ALL AROUND ME AND THERE TO MY SURPRISE

THERE WAS MY WIFE AND CHILDREN, I KNEW IT WAS A DREAM.

SO KNEELING AT MY BEDSIDE YOU SHOULD HAVE HEARD ME SCREAM!

FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, I KNOW YOU GAVE YOUR ONLY SON.

FORGIVE ME AND LET ME SERVE THEE, FOR I WANT TO BE READY WHEN HE COMES.

********************

Luke 13:22-30 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Narrow Way

22 And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?”  And He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ 26 then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ 27 But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. 29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.”

Life in Black & White

Way back in the early 2000's, I thought I was finished stepping over toys.  Thank God, I was wrong!  This is my house!  Full of fun and children's laughter!  God is so, so, good to me!

Grace & Peace,
Pam

Sunday Morning Southern Gospel

Come, Lord Jesus!!!

Jesus, is indeed coming soon! We don't know the day or hour but we can be sure He is coming! With the state of the world, I feel it will be sooner than anyone expects! Jesus Is Coming Soon is one of the songs I remember singing back in my youth. Daddy was a truckdriver and loved gospel music. I spent a lot of time in a truck, growing up, and it was a sure bet we would be belting out this song and many others!

Listen to the song and read the words! And prepare! For He IS coming soon!
*****

Troublesome times are here, filling men's hearts with fear

Freedom we all hold dear now is at stake

Humbling your hearts to God saves from the chastening rod

Seek the way pilgrims trod, Christians awake

Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon

Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound

All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies

Going where no one dies, heavenward bound

Troubles will soon be o'er, happy forevermore

When we meet on that shore, free from all care

Rising up in the sky, telling this world goodbye

Homeward we then shall fly, glory to share

Oh, Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon

Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound

All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies

Going where no one dies, heavenward bound

Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon

Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound

All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies

Going where no one dies, heavenward bound

Heavenward bound, heavenward bound

Life In Black & White

 Melvin is one of our barn kitties!  He is a handsome boy now but once he gets his big, thick, fluffy, winter coat, he will be the talk of the barn!  He's an excellent hunter and always sure to bring me dead creatures...er...gifts!  To be such a tough guy, at keeping us safe from critters, he sure is a Mama's boy!  

Out of Sync

I'm sorry for not posting more.

We had our grandbabies for a week

 and I can't, for the life of me, get back into my normal routine.

I'm almost there but I am still so tired!  

Good thing I love those little dumplin's!  Whew!

Grace & Peace,
Pam

This corrupt trend is nothing new. It's been going on since 200 A.D.!

According to Evangelist Roy Lister,

 "Any version of the Bible which omits Acts 8:37, or "Through His blood," in Col. 1:14, evidently has for its foundation a corrupted manuscript."

***FYI: There are some 450 English translated Bibles***

Now, I'm not a Bible Scholar, by any means, and my numbers are probably not accurate since I didn't check all 450, BUT, I find it alarming that out of the 60 popular translations, only 13 have Colossians 1:14 translated as

"Through His blood".

Only 29 translations contain Acts 8:37 and most of those are worded differently, than the original manuscript, therefore, meaning something other than the intended.

I wonder how many more vital verses are omitted in these translations

I generally use the NIV, however, since reading the above statement, and checking for myself, I will probably be switching to a translation that includes these crucial verses and that have been translated correctly.

With all of this being said, if you love your current translation, keep using it but know there may be some critical discrepancies. Make sure you do a thorough search during your Bible study time.

I keep coming back to Deuteronomy 4:2 .

2 You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

The irony is, every translation contains this verse.
 

********
Grace & Peace,
Pam

Life in Black & White

We spend a whole lot of time at our Granddaughter's softball games.  Her last game, she was named MVP!  Proud Granny moment!

Life In Black & White

My precious and handsome Grandson!  He is my little buddy and loves Nana's "special" oatmeal!

Sunday Morning Southern Gospel

I Surrender All...One of my all time favorite hymns. For me, I have to surrender everything, on a daily basis.  My home.  My family.  My thoughts.  My actions.  Everything...even my very breath.  It is a struggle to let God be in control.  I mean, by nature, I am always in control and it is hard to let go of things, even though I know there are some things I just can't control.  I must, constantly, surrender it all to God...Lay it at His feet...for if I try to control everything, I miss out on blessings He has for me.

Have you surrendered your life, your worries, your family, and job, to Jesus?  I pray for those who haven't and rejoice with those who have! 

As usual, I have included a video for you to enjoy.  This time though, I am putting it here at the top.  Take a minute and listen to the words.
****************

All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live

 

All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me Jesus take me now

 

I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all

 

All to Jesus I surrender
Make me Saviour wholly Thine

Let me feel the Holy Spirit
Truly know that Thou art mine

 

All to Jesus I surrender
Lord I give myself to Thee
Fill me with Thy love and power
Let Thy blessings fall on me

All to Jesus I surrender

 
Now I feel the sacred flame
Oh the joy of full salvation
Glory glory to His name

Have a blessed week.

Pam