Blessings !!!

As I shared in a previous post ---

my mother-in-law Elizabeth

had surgery to remove a brain hematoma

on July 15.

The surgery was successful.

However, she was very frail and

other health issues arose

and

she passed from this life to

Real Life

one week later on July 22.

As we have gone through all the things you do

when someone dies ---

making calls to family members to let them know,

putting together the plans for the funeral,

feeding the multitudes,

sleeping some of the multitudes,

smiling, laughing, crying ---

we know this: we are blessed!!!

and then

blessed some more!

We have been surrounded by friends, family,

church family, community

and lifted up and carried through

the entire past 2 weeks.

How awesome to have, not one or two people,

but literally dozens and dozens of people,

write, e-mail, call

and tell us what a grand lady Elizabeth was

and

what she meant to each of them every time

they were around her.

We have heard some sweet, sweet stories

of how they all remember her.

She taught Sunday school,

led women's classes,

taught VBS,

was a faithful choir member,

(with a beautiful alto voice),

she was a lifetime PTA member,

room mother for literally decades,

and active in everything

that happened in her community,

wherever that happened to be at

the time.

Amazing!

It's so strange to see your parents through

the eyes of others.

And that's especially true when you

see them through the eyes of those

who knew them when they were

much, much younger.

It's been quite sweet to get a glimpse of

the person Elizabeth was waaaaay

before any of us knew her.

I spent a lot of my early years

of knowing Elizabeth

kind of grieving

because she wasn't the kind of mother-in-law

I had always wanted.

I wanted someone who would call me just to visit,

ask me to go

shopping with her,

or to get a pedicure together.

Someone who would go to

"girl's night out"

with me. Or maybe to a movie.

A"let's do lunch"

kind of mother-in-law.

None of those things ever happened.

She was not that kind of woman.

And after several years, I gave up on that

"dream"

That just was not Elizabeth.

Thankfully --- many, many years ago I discovered

something absolutely phenomenally, wonderfully,

tremendously

BETTER

that Elizabeth had given me.

A way better gift

than doing any of those things together.

I discovered that she gave me

THE BEST

she had to give....

she raised a son,

took him to church,

laid a foundation of faith in him,

prayed for him faithfully

and then

handed him off to me !!!,

a silly and not so wise girl,

(at the age of 20)

and

Trusted in the LORD

to direct our paths.

Elizabeth gave to me

a loving husband,

a fantastic father to our kids,

a warrior,

a mighty man of God !

William Rosser

is who he is today

because of the kind of faithful

mother Elizabeth was to him.

For THAT and so much more !!!

I love her and I pay tribute to her..

Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and

beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD
is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned,

and let her works bring her praise

at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:28-31

Gwyn

Friday Decorating

Yesterday was super hot, as most every day has been lately.

But, yesterday was unique in that it was the first day in several

when I was here at the house all alone and with

nowhere to be, nothing else to do....ahhhhhh

Soooo --- I decorated !

Honestly, a day of decorating, moving things around,

cleaning as I go -- that's almost like a

Spa Day for me !!

I LOVE IT !!!!

Here are some of the little vignettes around

the house after I got through ---

MMMMM ----- a stack of vintage tablecloths and

old faded flour sacks

Just waiting to be used for a picnic or on the table out on

the porch.

If only they could talk --- the stories they would tell......

of picnics, and lunches taken out to the fields and

dinners with the family

Just some of my plate obsession, ---- I meant to say, collection

My grandmother collected a plate from every state she

ever visited -- I have added to the collection

by way of flea market and antique store finds --

That's TEXAS on top

I love dishes -- plates especially

New countertop arrangement


The soffit area above the kitchen cabinets.
I LOVE bowls too !



Above the sink
Collection of cookie cutters--
most of them old from my grandmothers
houses


Fish Bait styrofoam cup -- one of my prized
possessions.
I was so blessed to get to travel to Baton Rouge in the week
after Hurricane Katrina to
help feed people.
There was a huge stack of these bait containers
(used to hold worms and dirt)
that we used as coffee cups.

I just loved it so much --
I brought it home and
have kept in a prominent place
in my kitchen since.
It reminds me of the sweet people
I met there
AND the sweet people
I got to work with.

My kitchen blackboard
with a favorite verse --

After the crazy and challenging week we had

it just seemed appropriate.

Gwynie Pie

Perfect or Excellent

Hey, did you ever get something just stuck in your head?....can't get loose from it?....it just almost haunts you?

I mean, really -- from every direction and from all sorts of completely unrelated sources the same topic, same subject keeps coming at you??

That happens to me pretty often. I know God is teaching me all the time. Sometimes I listen easily and "get it". And sometimes it takes many, many more "attempts" to get me to pay attention and hear His words.

I finally have to just STOP and get still and ask,

"OK, Lord, you are trying to teach me something here?? (deep breath - exhale) Then, I will listen. Teach me what You want me to know."

Well, as we are studying in our ladies bible study Discerning the Voice of God, God can and does communicate with us in a variety of ways. He can and will get His message across to us however and whatever it takes.

Soooo - the thing that I am just stuck on is this : Perfection versus Excellence.

Specifically, in my job as a Home Engineer ....to what level do I aspire?

I have known women who aim for Perfection -- in all areas, nothing else is acceptable. Even the closets and cupboards are "perfect". Every area of the house, yard, car, kids, husband and life is piffy perfect, thank you very much !!! Things seem a little "plastic" if you know what I mean, but it looks great !!!!

I actually "did time" for a while in my life aiming for and running after this Perfection. Got really tired running. Didn't get there. Got nothing for my efforts except a boat load of frustration. I abandoned that pursuit and went on to --------

Looking' Good . This style is when everything looks good to the occasional eye but don't go diggin' anywhere in the house, closet, car, kids, husband or life. That's where the "messes" will appear. Looks good on the surface though....lookin' good. Just don't go nosin' around cause ---- whoooo---eeee --- things are a jumble. I spent a lot of years pursuing looking good and being scared to death that someone would look deeper and I would be exposed as a fraud -- in my house, closet, car, kids, husband and life !! I briefly experienced the

Hey Leave Me Alone homemaker syndrome. Everything -- absolutely every thing is a wreck -- all facets of life are in various states of falling down and coming apart. She seems somewhat upset by this but at the same time, fairly clueless as to how to fix. Therefore, she's on the defensive much of the time. And angry. And depressed. And feeling like a failure. And cries a LOT. A LOT !!! in her bathrobe while sitting on the sofa eating and watching trash on tv. In between crying fits. Sheesh -- so glad I managed to pull out of THAT time in life. Disgusting even to myself, I knew I couldn't stay there, didn't want to stay there, but had to find my way out.

Then there is the Good Enough homemaker. A swipe at cleaning here and there but if crumbs fall to the floor -- oh well. Dog will get them. (even when there isn't a dog) The same gravy stain that was accidentally slung on the wall at Thanksgiving dinner 4 years ago is still there. Any household cleaning job is attempted and quickly abandoned before truly finished with the attitude of "what do you expect from me??? I'm doing all I can do ". Been there as well.

I think these are just a few of the phases we might go through as homemakers

And I truly believe the LORD calls each of us to Excellence. He already knows we can't be perfect while we're living here in our earth suits. Sometimes --- it takes us a while to learn that we can't be perfect.

BUT -- we CAN be excellent. That is certainly my goal -- to be an excellent homemaker. To excel at my job. I hope to visit this subject every week or so.

There are so many areas in Homemaking that can be looked at with Excellence as our goal.

AND I would love to get your input and discussion on the topic.

Please tell me IF this interests you.

What are the struggles you are having in carrying out your job as a homemaker?

Is time management your problem

Is it lack of skills

No example from mom or other skilled

person in your life?

Bad attitude? -- got the "I don't want-tos"?

We can work on those together and all come up higher in our pursuit of excellence.

I truly hope you will join in.

Love you all,

Gwynie Pie

UPDATE ON ELIZABETH

It's been 24 hours since surgery was completed. The Dr. was very
optimistic and encouraging. The brain bleed had stopped on its own before the surgery began which meant the surgery did not have to be so invasive and therefore, a bit less risky.

Elizabeth was alert and knew people immediately upon arriving in ICU, a great sign. Of course, she was woozy, sleepy, thirsty and kept trying to be sneaky and slip HER watch off of her daughter's wrist.
She had given the watch to Elaine the night before to keep for her
and after I thought about it....I don't think I've EVER seen Elizabeth when she didn't have her watch on. I'm sure she feels just not right
without it....like I do when I forget my wedding ring. Of course, she still had in IV and tubes and couldn't wear it and didn't need it. But that didn't stop her in her "medically induced" state of fuzziness.....

Anyway, it got to be pretty funny there in the ICU with Elizabeth trying to weasel the watch off Elaine. Pretty cute !!

She is having another CT scan today and that will tell a lot of how successful the surgery was and what her recovery will look like from here.

Thank you so much for all your prayers !!! Much love to each of you!


God is good, All the time
All the time, God is good !

Gwynie Pie

PRAYER REQUEST

Hey friends !

Our family has a very urgent need

for prayer for

William's mom.

Her name is Elizabeth, or as we call her

Grammy...

Grammy had a fall in the night about a month ago

and hit her head. She was checked out and

all appeared to be okay. A follow-up dr. appointment

revealed she had 2 hematomas in her brain

(brain bleeds) probably caused

by this fall.

Yesterday, at a follow-up CAT scan

a new fresh and very large

hematoma was revealed.

She is scheduled for surgery in the early a.m.

tomorrow (Weds)

in order to reduce the pressure it is

causing on her brain and all

her functions.

They are waiting until then because

she regularly takes blood thinners

and surgery can't be done until

she is less vulnerable in this area.

She is in a very critical condition.

Just wanted you all to know about this

and thank you so much

for all your love and prayers.

Moochas Smoochas,

Gwynie Pie

Best Sandwich EVER

This is the secret ingredient

in seriously THE BEST sandwich EVER !!

or

at least til the NEXT Best sandwich comes along.

I am a fan of a good sandwich -- and picky-er about my

sandwich fixin's than any other food I eat.

For instance ---- IF I'm having freshly baked ham in a

sandwich, then I want white bread with Miracle Whip

and nothing else -- no tomatoes, no lettuce, no cheese -- nothing!

A grilled cheese sandwich just screams for white bread.

IF I'm having pastrami, then I gotta have good, hearty

Jewish rye bread...ummmm...so good!

Cajun roast beef sandwiches are best on

bollilos with a good spicy mustard and lettuce.

Now a sliced turkey sandwich can be made on any

kind of sliced bread, but must have

jellied cranberry sauce instead

of mayo or mustard -- I love that!

I do know a good sandwich, let me tell you.

So when I say this one is the BEST EVER

(til the NEXT best comes along)

believe me !!!

Spread two slices of any kind of bread -- but good

hearty grainy bread is best -- with

about 2 Tablespoons each of

pineapple cream cheese.

Layer on very thinly sliced ham --

I bought Tyson brand Black Forest ham

and it is superb.

Then layer on thinly sliced tomatoes, cucumbers,

red onions, romaine, spinach -- just load it up

with everything you love.

I made mine with just romaine and cucumbers and

it was delicious !!

I made the same thing for dinner Thursday using

large tortillas instead of bread

and I added

tomatoes.

It was a big hit !!

What's your favorite sandwich????

Just curious....

it might be my NEXT best sandwich

EVER !!!!

Gwynie Pie

The Husband Project

OKAY Friends !! I have two websites I really want you to check out....you won't be sorry.There is a book that I really want you to check out. It's The Husband Project by Kathi Lipp.

Go to http://www.kathi@kathilipp.com and read all about it. Great stuff !!! It's a 21-Day project and no matter how long you've been married, you'll find great ideas and inspiration to make your marriage better. I've been married 37 years, almost all of them happy :)

(those first few years were a little rough)

and I see all kinds of ways I can work at

making our very happy marriage

even happier.

ALSO ----

Melanie at Bella-Mella is hosting a 5 Day Mini Project on the Husband Project, starting soon, and I'd love for you to check that out as well.

http://www.bellamella-melanie.blogspot.com/ and read all about it. Melanie is a blog friend of mine that I've been following for several months now. She is fun and creative and a woman of spiritual depth and you will love her and her blog !

OKAY then --

that's all for now.

I do have a super sandwich recipe

to share with you....

I've declared it

THE BEST sandwich EVER !!!!

Cool and summery.

I'll share it maybe later today.

Right now --- gotta go help William with the

mowing and weedeating.

Talk to you later,

Gwynie Pie

Early Friday Morning Back Porch Sittin'

What a fine Friday morning it is here in my corner of the world.

It is just now 8 a.m. and already over 80 degrees on my shady back porch.

It's gonna be a hot one !!

As I sit here rocking....

this is my view.

Notice the cotton in the field beyond the fence....we've had

just enough rain and lots!!! of HOT

and it's really lookin' pretty good.

Moving to the right----

That is the original coffee grinder from

the Mereta General Store.

Aren't you glad someone got that size thing

under control....or else we'd all have a

big ol' iron monstrosity sitting in our

kitchens right next to the coffee pot.

:)

That's also a shopping cart from the store

holding pool towels and sunscreens and

bug sprays.

And this is a screen, made from the interior

doors from my grandparents house --

it serves as a privacy screen (our

"next door neighbor" would need binoculars

to see us, but still....)

but mostly, the screen is a sound break

since the A/C unit is just beyond.

So, that's my view of the world this morning...

What's yours???

Have a very Happy Friday and

a wonderful weekend !!!

Gwynie Pie

Going Green Part 2

There are many companies who now make "green" products. That means biodegradable, natural, not toxic to you or yours ---

at least that what it should mean.

Read the labels!!! on any cleaning product

you are buying.

As with food -- if you can't pronounce it --

you might want to leave it on the shelf

or at least look it up and see for yourself what

ingredients it contains.

Nature's Source by SC Johnson

Green Works by Clorox

Method

Seventh Generation

Shaklee and others

all make a line of natural, environmentally friendly

products.

That said -- here are a few of the

oh so cheap, cheap, cheap !!!!

products you can make very, very simply

AND since the main ingredient in almost all

cleaning products - natural or otherwise -

is water, I figure I'll just do it myself, thank you.

I really thought I would have to sacrifice quality

in order to use these items BUT

really --- I am so pleased with how they work.

The quality is as good or better than those I have retired.

Here are a few of the recipes I have discovered online.

Just Google "natural cleaning products" if you are interested

in expanding your line of cleaners ---

GLASS CLEANER --

1 cup rubbing alcohol

1 cup white vinegar

1 cup water

Mix in a clean spray bottle.

(Walmart is where I got mine)

FURNITURE POLISH

1 cup olive oil

1/2 cup lemon juice

Mix and store in a glass jar.

To use - Dip in with a cloth, reseal jar immediately

and polish furniture.

DEODERIZER

Straight vinegar

in a spray bottle.

The smell will dissipate fairly quickly.

Your house/car will not smell like a giant pickle for long.

And nothing kills odor like it!

MOLD KILLER

ALSO - did you know that straight vinegar kills 82% of all mold.

So, spray on and let it sit on any areas where you are fighting mold.

Another mold fighter is

2 teaspoons tea tree oil

2 cup water

in spray bottle. Spray on. Do Not Rinse

For CLEANING CUTTING BOARDS, COUNTERTOPS

White vinegar in one spray bottle

3% hydrogen peroxide in one spray bottle

Spray one on area, then the other

Wipe off. Germs killed !!!

FABRIC SOFTENER

Add 1/2 cup - 1 cup straight vinegar

to the rinse cycle.

There will be absolutely no vinegar smell,

just fresh clothes.

Works great !!

AND super cheap !

DEGREASER

2 cup warm water

1/2 cup Murphy's oil soap

in spray bottle.

Cuts grease on stovetops, counters, floors

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER

2 tablespoons ammonia

1 teaspoon dish detergent

2 cups rubbing alcohol

a couple drops orange essential oil

(TOTALLY optional)

Mix in gallon jug. Fill spray bottle to use.

You get essential oils at health food stores -- all fragrances.

And a few drops can be added to any of these products.

But, I prefer no smell at all since I almost always have

a fragrance plugged in to wall plugs throughout the house.

FLOOR CLEANER

1 gallon warm water

1 cup vinegar

Mix in pail or sink.

Works on vinyl or laminate floors

Same recipe for wood floors -- just 1/2 cup vinegar instead of 1 cup

and dry floor as you go.

SCRUBBER

for dirty dishes, crusty pans, stubborn surfaces

Cut a lemon in half

Sprinkle with baking soda

Scrub away.....smells great, cuts grease and grime.

Try some of these. You might be pleasantly surprised

as I have been at the quality.

My house still smells good.

AND I get to avoid the "cleaner" aisle at the store now.

AND I'm saving significant $$$$$.

Just wanted you to know,

Gwynie Pie

Going Green

CAST OF CHARACTERS

White vinegar

Murphy's Oil Soap

Dawn Dish liquid

Borax (and all of it's 20 mules)

Baking soda

Rubbing alcohol

Hydrogen peroxide, 3%

Today is the day ! I've been researching and experimenting and testing

different methods of natural, biodegradable cleaning

for several weeks/months actually.

Everytime I cleaned my shower with those

cute little "guys with big white brushy moustaches",

the ones that were going to remove hard water scale and make my

shower sparkly clean,

the ones in the spray can with the lemony scent ---

I would find it difficult to breathe while spraying my shower

down so I would hold my breath 'til I 'd nearly

pass out. Then I'd evacuate the bathroom until the lemony, yet noxious

fumes died down a bit. Then go back in to finish the job.

And bottom line --

nothing, but nothing !!! worked on the kind of hard water scale we have

in this part of the world. Sheeesh !

(I thought)

I started thinking that surely to goodness there had to be a better way.

I wasn't even really looking for healthier at that point.

I just wanted something that would work!

THEN, I started googling "natural home cleaning products"

and wow!!! came up with lots of great info.

I learned along the way that many of the cleaning products

I use on a daily basis are very harmful and damaging to the lungs

and the skin and the mucous membranes.

Also, the residue from many of these products

is something I'm just not comfortable having in my home.

Having a grandbaby really made me hyper-aware of it all

and so, after much research and googling and searching

other blogs for info ----

I have come to today.

I'm "going green".

I've been very skeptical about the cleaning "power" of some of these

natural products. But, I've put them to the test.

I've been researching them on my most stubborn

of stains and cleaning problems and I'm convinced !!

I have so much info to share with you and I don't want this post to just go on and on and on....

So, I'm going to break this up into a series for at least the next few days.

Here's a starter --

I have an off white laminate kitchen countertop

that is very susceptible to staining.

I was constantly using spray bleach to

brighten it up and remove the coffee and tea stains

that plagued me.

This morning I wiped the stains with a wet cloth,

sprinkled a little bit of baking soda over the stain,

then added 1 squirt of dishwashing liquid.

With the wet cloth I scrubbed the area

and in just a few seconds the stains

were completely gone.

It wasn't instant like with the spray bleach.

It actually required me to move my arm back and forth

a few times.

But, when I had rinsed the area --

it was sparkling clean, smelled great,

and I knew there was no leftover bleach

that could jeopardize my clothes.

I'm always leaning up against the still damp counter

and having to immediately change and wash my clothes

so they are not ruined.

All in all -- worked super great !!

I'm very pleased!

I'll be sharing many more

cleaning "products" the next few days.

I've also uncovered a LOT of natural health

products along the way ---

GOOD STUFF!!!

Stayed tuned !

Did I mention how much $$$$$ you

can save using this stuff?????

WOW

Safe Cleaning,

Gwynie Pie

Cherry, Cherry Pie

For dinner last night, I made a

Southwest Shepherd's Pie.

I made it in a 9 by 13 pan and as I was telling

Dana about it, she said

"hey, that would be so fun to do in little

individual ramekins."

Well, of course, it would !

Especially for a party.

So -- for that reason (yes, I know there isn't a lot of logic here)

I made the cherry pie for tonight's dinner

in those little individual ramekins.

And they turned out great !!

I used Pillsbury Pie Crusts, the kind you find next to biscuits in the store.

And cut the right-sized circles out for the larger bottom

For the filling -- I used 1 can of pie filling and

2 large Tablespoons tapioca.

I use tapioca in all my fruit pies --

it gives them "body".

Then cut another circle of dough

the size of the top and pinch the bottom dough

and top dough together.

Then cut a couple of "breathing" holes

in the top dough,

sprinkle with sugar and dot with butter.

Bake until the dough is golden.

Be sure to place on a cookie sheet -- as you can see

What a mess !!!

It also helps to spray the ramekin with Pam.

Very yummy !! Very pretty !!

Very, very easy !!

NOW --

SOUTHWEST SHEPHERD'S PIE

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or equivalent)

cut into bite-size pieces

1 medium onion, chopped

Brown in skillet with just a tablespoon of oil.

Sprinkle 2 packets taco seasoning over chicken.

Add 1 can whole kernel corn, drained

1 can black beans, drained

1 flat can green chilies

1 cup salsa

1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained

Stir together and let heat through.

Pour into 9 by 13 pan.

In bowl, mix 2 Corn-kits (packaged cornbread mix)

2 eggs

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

enough milk to be spreadable, about 1 1/2 - 2 cups

Spread the cornbread mixture over the chicken mixture.

Bake 20-30 minutes at 350.

Garnish with chopped green onions,

sour cream, chopped black olives,

chopped tomatoes, more cheese.

That's my recipes !!

Give 'em a whirl....

Gwynie Pie

The Weekend

This was the first year Dana, Blake and Lily Kate and Colin and Ronnie

joined us for the 4th of July celebrations

on the Concho River in downtown San Angelo.

Half of us staked out our spot for the evening

while the rest of us went by

Papa John's and picked up 6 pizzas.

Also on the menu - watermelon and cherrys,

Doritos and M&M's,

and

lots of cold water

THIS is how Lily Kate watched the fireworks. She did watch for a while,
but soon had the "when you've seen one fireworks, you've seen 'em all "
attitude.
She was worn out and it was past her bedtime, so
she got comfy with Pops covering her ears and
she just took a little snooze.
The following night at Freedom Fest fireworks,
she brought her stethoscope
with her and it served as earplugs.
Then, she leaned back on her Daddy and took
a little nap.
Too cute !!!

The wait from 5:30 until fireworks begins is quite long, so we
brought along games and activities to occupy.
The girls played a little Fancy Nancy game
and then chased bubbles.

The group

Kidsitting a sweet baby goat named Winnie

for the weekend was really very fun.

Lily Kate loved !!!! the goat.

Feeding Winnie her morning bottle

THIS was too cute!! Lily Kate had already had her bath but

before we could get her into her pjs, she

decided that Baby Winnie, who was crying pitifully,

(all baby goats cry pitifully)

needed someone to sleep with.

Then she wouldn't cry and be sad.

So, Lily Kate gave her one of her own

stuffed bears so she would feel better.

Here she is -- comforting Winnie and telling her

"it be awwight."

We had a wonderful time with family this week.

We totally enjoyed every minute!!!

William and I are both moving much slower this morning,

wishing we could just sleep in a bit,

but...he's at work and I am too -- doing

laundry and dishes and floors.

Hope your 4th was blessed!

Gwynie Pie

My daughter, granddaughter and I started the morning with a cup of coffee, some chicken biscuits and Little Einsteins. Then, I trekked into "big town" for last minute weekend groceries and such. They straightened up the house, did a load of laundry and cooked a pot of delicious beans to go with dinner later. Lily Kate took a good nap and was ready to go for a swim by the time I got home and the truck was unloaded.

Charla, Dana's best friend since they were in diapers, and her daughter, Cora came over to visit and Cora kept us entertained with her latest "water moves" since she just finished her swim lessons. Lily Kate was, at first,pretty hesitant to throw herself into it like Cora did but she finally did and we all had a splashing good time. Great fun!

After we came inside, Dana started the rest of dinner for tonight -- chicken mole, red rice, cucumbers in yogurt and dill sauce, rolled up in a big ol' flour tortilla. The little girls played and the big girls visited while Dana cooked. Something about the whole scene made me "flashback" to a time in my life that was so good, so satisfying. Just thinking back on it all made me smile.

When William and I were 33 years old and had three children ages 3, 4 and 10, we knew we were being led by the LORD to leave where we were - with the nice salary and the great benefits, nice paid for house, surrounded by both our families and lots of friends - and move to Fort Worth, 4 hours away from home, for him to attend Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary and go to graduate school. Crazy enough --- we heard the LORD and obeyed. We have so many memories -- ALL sweet ones -- from that next 6 years of our lives. We all learned so much. We have some really great stories from those years. Those stories will just have to wait til another day.

When we moved, we very fortunate to get assigned seminary housing. It was a tiny house with a total of 6 rooms, 2 bathrooms. It had been a duplex at one time and was now combined to make a single family home. The house was lacking in many things but the backyard more than made up for it. A couple of enormous trees provided lots of shade. William found a place to buy sand for the kids to play in and we had brought the kids small playhouse/fort with us. Soooo, we had a "playland" for a yard, especially compared with the other hot, dry and treeless yards in the neighborhood.

Surrounded by other little seminary houses we were also central in location, so most afternoons our house was the gathering spot for the neighborhood. There were 5 women and 16 little kids that would come over for playing and visiting.

All the women stayed home with the children, many homeschooling, while the guys went to class most of the day and worked at various jobs until late in the night. None of us had much money and we all were on very tight budgets. So even on the very hottest days, we never ran the air conditioners. Some would run the a/c window unit in one room -- which we all referred to as "the cold room". If you were just absolutely about to perish, you could duck into "the cold room" just long enough to revive so you could go about your business. Summertime in Texas is blazing hot.

I remember so many afternoons --- naptime would be over and the women and kids would start to appear. The sounds of the children playing and laughing would come through the open doors and windows. And we girls would sit where we could see the kids and visit and sweat. I remember one time my parents were coming to visit and they got there early in the day while all the neighborhood was still there. I was in the middle of mixing up and baking cookies for everyone. And someone else had brought over a box of popsicles. There were kids everywhere!!! It was pretty much flat out chaos that day. But fun chaos!! I never found out what my folks really thought of that day. I suspect they just shook their heads in amazement. It really was a three-ring circus! Such fun! Such good memories !

I'm not sure I could even do such a thing today. Of course, that's been nearly 25 years ago, so I'm much older. And, therefore, like my air conditioning more. But I really truly believe we women were all empowered by something beyond ourselves. It was a matter of pride to NOT cave and turn on the air conditioner and spend your family's money needlessly. We all lived on strict budgets. We were sacrificing for the financial good of the family. And none of us wanted the others to think us wimpy. AND almost all of the husbands worked very physically demanding jobs and we figured if they had to be out in the heat every day....then by golly, we could do it too.

Wow! I'm so thankful the LORD didn't leave us where we were all those years ago, but called us out into the unknown for His purposes. AND I am also so glad we heard and responded. We've never been the same. What a great life - then and now!

Gwynie Pie