Birthday!!

 

Aka – How the heck did I get this old?!?!

 

This was my birthday week. Dec. 11 was the actual date. I am SEVENTY-TWO years old! *gasp* I remember when my mom turned 70 and I was stunned at just HOW OLD SHE WAS.

We recently celebrated a dear friend’s 94^th birthday, so I console myself that maybe I’m not “that” old after all…then I look in the mirror…

 

I’ve decided I am not “old” – I am “vintage”.

 

BUT, this was a VERY good week. I am humbled by the love I have been showered with. I have the most wonderful friends, family and PEEPS that I could possibly ever have. People say that FB friends aren’t “real” friends, but I assure you they are!

 

So, THANK YOU to all those who I love and love me back. And especially thank you to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When I look back at when I was 17 and trying to find a way to end my life, I am so grateful for the loving guidance and saving grace that ended that desire to die.

 

I don’t really care how I look in the mirror…it’s how I look to my Lord that matters. And I KNOW He loves me just the way I am. Amen.

 

Books Absolutely Rule!!!

 

 

I came across a wondrous place called https://recommendmeabook.com/

I have only just started looking into this, but wow! am I having fun!! It shows you the first page of a book. You read it, and if it interests you and you want to read more, you click at the bottom of the page to learn the title and author. Then you can look at the first page of the next book. If you like judging books by their covers, there is that option too.

 

BEWARE!!! Your TBR list will EXPLODE!!

 

I’ve started a list of the books I’d like to check out. The library would be the first place to look, but the local library isn’t that great. Next stop would be thriftbooks.com or other used book sites.

 

TOO MANY BOOKS…NOT ENOUGH TIME!!! I’m going to tell my kids that if they find unread books around the house after I pass on, please put them in the casket with me and I will do my best to smuggle them into Heaven…

 

Could work…

 

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Random Thought:

 

”One glance at a book and you hear the voice of another person, perhaps someone dead for 1,000 years. To read is to voyage through time.” – Carl Sagan

 

More (D)DIY part 3

 

Yes – Yes – Meh – OK – Nah – NONONONONO

 

 

This would be a cute project for kids. You could also use small pretty rocks, old jewelry beads, etc.

 

 

This would be very labor intensive to string and wrap all the beads on the wire, but the effect would be great.

 

 

The reason I said “meh” on this one is I like the idea, but I think it would be better with all different colors of glass bottles.

 

 

I really like this idea, but would prefer something like postcards or other type of pictures. Maybe something like a junk journal page. Lots of possibilities.

 

 

This is visually nice, but the work it would take to weld these coins together. And it could only be a display piece. Way too heavy to actually wear.

 

 

NONONONONOOOOOOO!

 

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Random Thought:

I reject your reality and substitute my own. – Adam Savage

 

It’s Not A Bad Word, I Promise!!

 

 

Horehound

I don’t remember when I first heard about this candy, or tasted it. I know I was with my Aunt Lo Lita when we came across it in a store and she brought it to my attention. “Oh look! Horehounds!” I don’t remember how it tasted, but I do know I didn’t hate it. I guess some people do. I wouldn’t mind trying it again. The ones in the picture are called “Sanded Horehounds”.

 

 

Licorice

Here is the same kind: sanded, but they are licorice. I REALLY love black licorice and could suck on these all day. I think these also come in the red variety, but I much prefer black.

 

 

Root Beer

And I think most people remember the Root Beer Barrels. I love those as well.

 

 

Hard candy is OK, but I much prefer something I can chew.

Right now I can’t think of any kind of candy or sweet that I don’t like, except…

SOUR CANDY!!! What is the point of that kind?? I want candy that makes me smile, not grimace or pucker…

 

The Letter

 

 

 

A letter found in the bottom of an old trunk in the attic. It almost fell apart when taken out.

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My Dear Cousin Amalie,

 

I am hoping this letter finds you and your Dear Family healthy and prosperous.

 

It has been a long 2 years since I last wrote to you, and much has transpired in that time. I was badly taken with ague for almost 6 months and regained health most slowly. Had it not been for the tender Love of Mother and Sisters I would surely have died. The parish Priest saw me almost daily to offer Prayer and Comfort. After one year I am blest to say that I have full health aside from some weakness in my legs. I no longer can ride my Dear horse Sargent but have given him to my Sister Leticia, and they suit each other well.

 

More exciting news than all this however is the fact that I am to be married! The old Manly Estate was purchased one year past by a wealthy man from Canada. He is Baron Oliver Rede. His people all moved there some time ago and as a younger son had little prospect for the future. He was wise with money and made his fortune in cattle and wheat thereby enabling their return to England. It is his Son that I will marry. He is Avery Rede and as the only Son will inherit the title. He and his 2 sisters – Justine and Ivy – paid a courtesy call when first they moved into the Estate. I was still not in full health but they were very gracious and a wonderful distraction and gave me much heart. I made them laugh with the stories of how I used to sneak into the Gardens of Manly Estate when I was young to pick the prettiest Roses to give Mother.

 

As time went on and my health returned our two families spent a great deal of time together. Father and Baron Oliver were of the same mind in many things as were Mother and Baroness Ella. Sisters Leticia and Alice would often sit with Justine and Ivy in the Gazebo leaving Avery and I the relative privacy of the garden arch. We soon discovered that we were in love and Avery asked Father’s permission to wed.

 

Since I still have the weakness in my legs, it will be a small intimate wedding and a short honeymoon in Wales. The hope is that in time the weakness will leave and my legs will be restored. I know that it would be a long way for you to travel, but it would please me so much if you were able to be present on my day of happiness. I know that my Family would love to see you again and I also know that you would love to meet my new Mother, Father and Sisters.

 

The wedding will be in six months hence on 6 April. I eagerly await your response and pray that it is Yes!

 

Your Loving Cousin,

Grace