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The Emergency

Over the past year I’ve come to realize that my blog serves as a journal of my life, my experiences and the memories I share with my loved ones.

Today I am posting a story by my Mama which she wrote on 2-26-09; She promises to share more in the future.  You’ll be able to find them on my blog by searching

“Mary’s Musings”

The Emergency

I’ve always had a thing about clean, being one of those people who think if a little is good, a lot must be better.  This has been a personal trait for as long as I can remember.  Don’t ask me where I got the idea of adding bleach to the dishwater.  It just made sense that two cleaners were better than one.

I couldn’t have been more than ten or eleven, but I washed a lot of dishes.  Today that would probably be considered child abuse.  I remember begging Mother to let me wash the dishes.  Finally one day Daddy said, “let her do it”. He should have added, “she’ll be sorry”.

Everything was going well until I came to the silverware in the bottom of the sink.  As I picked up piece after piece, I couldn’t believe what I saw.  The once shiny silverware had turned a dirty, dull gray.  I had no idea what had happened.  I only knew it was my fault, and when Mother saw what had happened, I was going to “get it”.

It was almost time for Daddy to come home, and he always came in the kitchen door.

So I waited.

After what seemed an eternity, I heard the car in the driveway.

I was right there when he opened the car door to tell him about my emergency.

He took my hand and led me back into the kitchen where he found some silver polish and a cloth, then proceeded to show me how to polish the silver.

Low and behold, it looked like new!

Not only had he saved the silver, he had saved my “ life”.

I will always remember that day as a turning point in my life.

There I was, without hope (and from a child’s perspective, that’s just how I felt).

So I went to my father, and without effort, but with love, patience, and understanding, he was there with the answer.

He knew what to do.

I only had to ask.

In the ensuing years, how many times have I struggled with a dilemma, only to remember my Abba Father knows the answer before I have even begun to form the question?  How childish my needs must seem to Him.  Why is it that many times I seem to remember to run to Him only after I have considered all of my other resources?

What a beautiful picture my Daddy painted for me that day.

Did he know he was preparing me to handle a lifetime of emergencies as God my Father would have me do?  Maybe, and maybe not.  I just think it came natural to him.

 

MDR

And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
To our God and Father be glory forever and ever.  Amen.
Philippians 4:19-20

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Sisters

Sister (as defined by Merriam-Webster)

1 : a female who has one or both parents in common with another
2  a : a member of a women’s religious order (as of nuns or deaconesses); especially one of a Roman Catholic congregation under simple vows.  b : a girl or woman who is a member of a Christian church
3 a : a girl or woman regarded as a comrade. b : a girl or woman who shares with another a common national or racial origin
4 : a member of a sorority

Today is

 

In My world, sisters look like this:

 

National Sisters Day is observed annually on the first Sunday in August.  Like many other special days, it is a day of opportunity  to show appreciation for that unique bond only sisters can understand.

All sisters may have the odd argument here and there, but deep down there’s little way to break the strong bond shared by female siblings.  The natural connection between sisters is like no other.

  Sisters are forever.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Cherish the memories and make plans to create new ones.  Reconnect or patch up any misunderstandings.  Make this day a special celebration of your sister.

If you don’t have a sister, you can still celebrate the friendships of sisterhood by having a girls’ night out!

Post on social media using #NationalSistersDay to encourage others to do the same.

(source)

 

 

 

Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister)
Sister,
You’ve been on my mind
Sister, we’re two of a kind
So sister,
I’m keepin’ my eyes on you
I betcha think
I don’t know nothin’
But singin’ the blues
Oh sister, have I got news for you
I’m somethin’
I hope you think
That you’re somethin’ too
Oh, Scufflin’,
I been up that lonesome road
And I seen a lot of suns goin’ down
Oh, but trust me
No low life’s gonna run me around
So let me tell you somethin’ sister
Remember your name
No twister,
Gonna steal your stuff away
My sister
Sho’ ain’t got a whole lot of time
So shake your shimmy,
Sister
‘Cause honey this ‘shug
Is feelin’ fine
Songwriters: Quincy Jones / Rod Temperton / Lionel B. / Jr. Richie
Miss Celie’s Blues (Live) lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group
Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Mother’s Day

It must drive LB crazy that I rarely know the answer to the question “what is the agenda today?” especially when my extended family is involved.

Yesterday was no exception.

On

Mother’s Day

the one constant is the annual pedicure with my younger daughter Amanda.

I know for certain that this will take place at some point in the afternoon.

Last year we tried to get my Mama to join us

…this year she did. 

My Mother’s Day afternoon began with a pound cake.  Mama likes warm pound cake and I like to bake, so it works out well for both of us.

She came to my house around 2:30 and I served her a warm piece and wrapped up the rest for her to take home.

There was also the presentation of

The Controversial “Mema’s Blessings” Plaque

which she loved; however it WILL be replaced.  Apparently I have no idea what year my nephews were born or at what point Emily and Chynna joined our family.

Also LB ran over it.

 

When Amanda arrived, she presented me with a lovely gift from Stephanie and herself:  a custom makeup case from Pop & Suki and a bonus gift … Stacking Hoop Earrings. 

I also received a Pioneer Woman 3 piece serving bowl set from Richard and Emily which was presented by Lydia.

My children are very considerate.

While Mama, Amanda and I visited together, the secret plans were revealed.

It had been decided that we would join together at Mama’s house on Mother’s Day evening to participate in a BYOM (bring your own meal) event.

 Since it was my turn to be Lydia’s best friend, I was invited to sit at the little red table.  I saw a lot of Chinese takeout at the event and a lot of rice on the floor.

Nevertheless, it was a pleasant time to visit with family.And I am blessed with a lovely one.

Although I love hearing “Happy Mother’s Day”, the sweetest words I heard yesterday came when I announced it was time for me to head home.  Those words came from Lydia as she told me “I don’t want you to go”.

Its a joy to be a Glammy!

It is also a joy and a blessing to be a mother and to be loved by such a sweet mother.

I consider myself fortunate to have the finest one that I know.  She is kind and considerate. Mama loves me unconditionally.  She has always been there when I’ve needed help, which has been often.    And she is always thinking of others, and especially her children and grandchildren.

The bible says “As is the mother, so is her daughter.” (Ezekiel 16:4)

…so I’m expecting myself to ultimately become more like her.

Happy Mother’s Day!

 

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

 

Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites

Me and my homies from work doin’ the Friday Freedom Happy Dance!Ace Ventura Happy Dance GIFYou know who you are!

 

Favorite # ONE

My daily lunchbox note from LB

Isn’t he the sweetest?

He knows just what I need!

 

 

 

 

Favorite # TWO

New Blouses

Two of them!

Last week I wore my new pants from LOFT with a blouse from LOFT that just didn’t quite work.

So I searched for a pink peplum blouse and found two that I thought might work.

A Ruffle Sleeve V-Neck Smocked Elastic Empire Waist Peplum Blouse Top

And a Sleeveless Skater Peplum Summer Top

Hopefully one of these blouses will look good with my new floral pants

Or I won’t wear them any more.

 

 

 

Favorite # THREE

Beautifully Divine DIY Woodcraft Studio & Custom Gift boutique

They put the ART in pARTy!

Last Christmas my son and daughter-in-law gave me [and Mama] the gift of a DIY workshop to share

at the

Beautifully Divine Studio.

We were finally able to coordinate our schedules and make an appointment to partake in this wood crafting together time.  Mama chose the “God Bless Our Home” sign.  Mine says Home Sweet Home referencing the state of Florida.  We enjoyed the experience so much, as we were leaving, Mama was talking about plans to go back soon and include “all the girls”.

 

 

 

Favorite # FOUR

Home Sweet Home

The sign that I made at Beautifully Divine DIY Woodcraft Studio & Custom Gift boutique

not bad for an amateur, huh?

Mama is a crafter and enjoys creating projects like the one in this post.  I knew that her sign would turn out to be perfect, but I was surprised that mine turned out to be so nice!

 

 

Favorite # FIVE

Making memories with Mama

Isn’t she cute!

 

 

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Cupcakes & Colored Eggs

Easter weekend

would not be complete without coloring eggs on Saturday.

Last year, on the Saturday before Easter were made cookies & colored eggs

You can read about that event in this post.

This year, we made cupcakes & colored eggs on the Saturday before Easter.

First we colored/dyed 24 hard boiled eggs… and made a wonderful mess!

After the eggs had been colored,

and the egg-shaped cookies beautifully decorated,(The brown one is mine.  Yep.)

We moved on to the sunflower cupcakes….And it was no easy task.

Lydia participated long enough to finish one cupcakeObviously her skills are unmatched and could have completed the whole job herself.

However she was far more interested in something on TV.

Due to her work schedule, Stephanie wasn’t able to join us, so Amanda and Emily turned all 52 mini cupcakes into lovely sunflowers.The cupcakes were presented the following day as dessert after Easter Sunday dinner.

Afterward the Easter egg hunt began!It was High energy(notice the binoculars for easier egg spotting)Serious business!but plenty for everyone!

It was a good day to spend with family, enjoying time together, and making memories!

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog

It Has Been One Year

March 10, 2018 marks one year since I began this blog.

Today is my

FIRST

BLOGIVERSARY!

With no idea how to begin, I presumed if other bloggers I’ve followed can do this, so can I.  My intention was to ease my way into fashion blogging because that’s what I like, so I registered with WordPress and came up with a name for my blog.

The title “Pretty is” came to me from a quote my Mama enjoyed repeating:

“Pretty is as Pretty does”

And apparently she heard it often from her mother.

Prettyis.me

was registered because pretty is dot net and pretty is dot com were already taken.

Also it sounds cute.

My first post was short and sweet and included nothing about women’s fashion.

It was a Friday, and I took the day off to keep my GlamBaby Lydia.  She was 20 months old at the time.  You can see that post by clicking here.

Ironically, I spent the day with her today, as well…happily pushing a Little Tikes car.

After beginning my blog, and as the weeks passed, I realized that fashion blogging isn’t as easy as it looks.

Although I enjoy reading fashion blogs,  I spend a good deal of my time working an office job and commuting to and from that office [which happens to be located in another city and makes for a lot of travel time].

Rather than posts about fashion, I found that I was posting more and more about what I do and the people in my life, which is okay.

That said, today is a special day for another reason.

In Buffalo New York, on March 10, 1925, Bettelou Ellen McCarty was born.

Much later she met George S. Duckworth and she loved him.

And so she would become Bette Duckworth

My Mema

a.k.a. Mema Duck

Today we spent the day at my Mama’s house and I enjoyed taking some time going through her old pictures.

Mema left us on January 14, 2010That is another sweet face that I look forward to seeing again.

 

 

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Kim

XO

Happy Birthday in Heaven

Although I obviously have no proof, my personal belief is that our earthly birthdays are not celebrated in Heaven.  I’m sure that there are Bible verses to support my theory.

That said, our loved ones who have gone to Heaven are still celebrated here on earth, by the ones they’ve left behind.

My Daddy

would have been

Seventy-Two

years old today.

He may have been walking crooked (bent to the right) as he occasionally did when his back gave him trouble.

Daddy may have still been telling elephant jokes (why do elephants paint their toenails red?) and playing practical jokes  – now on his grandchildren – since his children have long since figured out his antics.

He would have LOVED his growing family

and

meeting the ones who came along after he left:

Sydney, Chynna, Emily, Levi, Lydia, Thea, and Rory.

He would have loved them all… and they would have loved him!

I’m sure he would have enjoyed events like dancing with my Mama at the Rockabilly Prom.

I imagine he may have walked next door to enjoy old movies with his oldest daughter in her TV room.

His hair would likely have been completely grey and I’m sure his green eyes would still have an “I love You” sparkle.  I’ve mentioned him again and again in my posts:

Num Nell Knox

August 1965

and

Father’s Day

where he claimed a starring role.

Richard A. Reid was born in Palatka, Florida on March 1, 1946.

He lived to the age of 55 and enjoyed A Wonderful Life.

He has been gone since November 23, 2001.

I am not exaggerating when I say that not a day goes by that I don’t think about him.

 

Happy Birthday Daddy!

I’m looking forward to seeing you again!

We are ALL looking forward to seeing you again!

 

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

 

 

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