I am so excited about Willow's huge dance tomorrow at the Manor. Willow's over at Life at Willow Manor. Willow has a wonderful blog that entertains and educates. She's a classy woman that is artsy and warm all at the same time. She is getting ready for the big ball and I plan on joining her tomorrow.

I don't know about you, but I need to have a fun diversion and going to an affair where I can dress up and the gown will always fit is very comforting. I don't have to worry about how much things cost or running around shopping for just the right thing. It's all at my fingertips.

Don't forget to drop by tomorrow. It's guaranteed to take your mind off the market and put you in a dancing mood. Just go to Willow's blog tomorrow and you'll find comments from friends that are at the dance also. Until tomorrow..........

He Made Us A Promise

We are in troubled times. He has made us a promise.

"I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." John 14:27 NLT

All pictures from Flickr

Things I'm Thankful for Today

Thanks for those of you that tried to help me. As you can see I cannot get it to work. When I try to change it I lose my extra little things. I guess it is just not meant to be for me to change it now. Really.... in the big scheme of life this is really and truly so so trivial.

Things I am thankful for today:

Cooler weather
Coke Zero
Soothing music
Snooze alarms
My One Year Bible
Shrimp Fried Rice
Cozy Quilts
Polka Dots
My fingernails are actually growing a little
Burberry cologne
Scarves
My family and sweet friends

Nana Needs some Computer Help

This is a picture of my front door here in Atlanta. Don't forget I live in the basement in the mother-in-law suite. I noticed that the grass is looking a little brown and that's a signal that winter is coming. I think the arrangement is so pretty.

I have an issue and need help. I can't get the pink template off and change my blog background. Does anyone have any suggestions? I did the 'cutest blog on the block' thing before and now I can't get it to switch up. If anyone has an easy breezy free background please leave me some suggestions. I enjoyed the pink, but now I'm tired of it. Plus, it's getting to be fall and here I am wanting to change.

We are still having our challenges with gas here in Atlanta. One of my employees couldn't come to work today because she was almost out of gas and if she kept riding around she would have ran out. Her husband is going to get her some tonight. It took me 40 minutes of sitting in line to get my gas this evening. There's hardly any stations with gas and no one seems to know when it will get better. I saw that they mentioned it on the national news. Trust me we have a huge problem with the gas supplies. Of course, it seems to take your mind off the cost for a while. When you start getting down to the big E, they could be charging double the price...you must have fuel to get to work. What's going on????

Indian Summer Picnic

I have been invited to a wonderful picnic with Cynthia, Steviewren, Lavinia Ladyslipper and the gang. Here I am late and I'm dashing off fast as I can to meet the girls.
I thought I'd slip on my scarf. Stevie said it's a little chilly so we'll have a bonfire and we'll be singing. I can't wait.

This is where I dropped by to grab some yummy picnic food.

I took the liberty of inviting some musicians. Avery had to get up early for school and I thought I might be partying into the night with my buds.

Wow! You guys picked such a lovely spot. I'm getting closer. It seems like everything goes so slow when you are in a hurry trying to find your friends.

Avery and I came by here over the weekend and I snapped this. I thought I could get here faster if I made a trial run.

I'm heading to the Picnic. StevieWren just let me know I need to hurry along. I had to work late and then we are having a gas shortage here in Atlanta. So I had to grab this carriage. I can't wait for all the fun. This is so exciting!!Wait for me!!!!!!!

Bekka's birthday, Sophia Loren's and mine!!

Today Avery, Papa and I went to Bekka's birthday party. It was at a jumping place. There were lots of blow-up deals and the kids bounced and jumped and slid down the slides until it was time for the pizza. You can just see a little bit of Avery (second child on the left) but she was busy eating and talking to her friends. There were more adults than children and yes, they were jumping too. Not moi, but Papa jumped until he was dizzy. Then we had the cake and they sang Happy Birthday. It was yummy and I got a kick out of going to a birthday party on my birthday. I have always enjoyed sharing my birthday with Sophia Loren.

Mark and I had gone to a Chinese restaurant for lunch and then off to the bookstore. I love visiting bookstores, in fact I visited two before the day was winding down. This has been a fun birthday and I am so thankful to be celebrating another birthday. Some people dread b-days, but I am very aware that many don't get to make it to this age and I am blessed.

This has been a wonderful birthday knowing I have so many cherished blog friends and I look forward to getting to know you all better and I love that you share your lives with me. May God Bless you all richly!!!!

Where's Your Trust?

As we continue with the decline of the stock market I am so reminded of where my trust lies. I am like everyone else. I don't want all my 401K to go away or shrink down to a tiny amount. But, if I really believe the Lord will not leave me, I cannot get caught up in the angst of the condition of our economy. I don't know why some people have been very financially blessed and others haven't. Some of it is about choices, in my opinion. But there are others that just started at a different place then others and due to many factors, including physical and mental limitations will never be well off financially. The scriptures say that the poor will always be with us. I think our main goal should be to be rich in the things of the Lord. When we trust Him it can take a lot of pressure off our own efforts.

I'm blessed. I have a wonderful family, a job, a car and clothes to wear. I have books to read. I am part of a growing church that encourages and loves. I have the Lord and His promises. I also have my bloggy friends. You guys make a difference in my life.

Where's your trust?

P.S. Nana and Avery at art class. She was 3 and told the art teacher, "I'm an artist!"

Chapter 10---A Fearless Beauty

This is one of the chapters that really came close to home. Joanna Weaver's book brings a fresh look at where our priorities should truly be as a Christian woman. She brings out the notion that being shallow and insecure, loud and obnoxious, pushy and anxious could come from fear. Our fears can come through so many things.

Our society puts such an emphasis on appearances and a scripture that shows us where our true focus should be,"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." I Peter 3:3-4.

Joanna Weaver gives the following helps for Fear Busters:

1. Turn On the Light--Tell a Godly friend about your struggle.

2. Interrogate Fear--Ask yourself ,"Is this danger I feel real or imagined? If the situation is out of your hands, place it in God's.

3. Speak God's Truth Out Loud--Replace Satan's haunts and taunts with Scriptures.

4. Follow Fear to Its End--"What's the worst thing that could happen if this fear comes true?"

Look for signs of God in your worst-case scenario. Remember He loves you and has good plans for you.

One of my very favorite scriptures reminds me to not fear, but trust in Him no matter the circumstances, Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." I need the peace that comes with knowing He loves me no matter what, young or old, thin or heavy, dressy or casual.

Unspectacular Quirks

I was tagged by my very neat friend, Cynthia at Muse Swings. I have been asked to list 6 unspectacular quirks about myself. This was a challenge figuring out if these are really quirky. I hope this is what I'm supposed to do. If not, sorry, I'm doing it anyway. Here goes:
1) I had an imaginary friend, Jimmy, up until I went to kindergarten. My family always teases me about whether he's still around and if I still see him. Of course not, but I can certainly remember exactly how he looked with his disheveled brown hair, freckles, red and white t-shirt and blue jeans. I remember he was always sweet to me.
2) I cannot stand to watch people eat popsicles or ice. I can't stand the sound. It is one of the most disturbing sounds to me.
3) I have a thing about escalators. I saw a man killed on one when I was 12 and it has left a very lasting impression on me. I realize elevators can be dangerous, but at least you are closed in and you aren't seeing the fall.
4) I love red hair. Long, very curly red hair is so beautiful to me. Why didn't I dye my hair and let it grow out when I was younger. I would look like I had lost my mind at this age trying to pull it off. My alter ego is Nikki and she has, of course, long, thick, red curly hair. Oh yow, she's thin too.
5) I once kissed Enos, the deputy, from Dukes of Hazzard. He was signing autographs at a car show in the heyday of the show. I asked him if I could kiss him and he said yes. Afterward, he turned red and looked surprised. He was a good sport. He just acted goofy for the part. I thought he was delightful.
6) I absolutely love office supplies. When I buy new office supplies I feel like I have a fresh start and can tackle my work better with these new writing instruments and new paper.

I must add that I have a quirk in common with Stevie Wren at a little birdie told me so. I am also extremely challenged when it comes to walking without falling. In high school I used to fall up the stairs and embarrassed myself so many times. I would comfort myself (and still do) with the little saying that "we all have special gifts, being real coordinated is not one of mine." I don't know, maybe that's not a quirky thing, but a defect. Bless our hearts.

I will pass this tag onto 6 of my friends. Please list your quirks and pass it on to 6 of your friends. I always enjoy learning more about my bloggy friends. Later, Nikki aka Trish

I tag Ruthie at Just Ruthie, Maggie at Nuts in May, Sherry at Edie's Attic, Barb at French Elements, Vee at A Haven for Vee, A Woman Who Is at In a Garden. These are some bloggy buddies that I always enjoy visiting.

Time Goes Fast When You Are Having A Blast!

It's official I am really getting old. It's been 3 months since I looked out the window at the warm Florida beach. Time has gone so fast. I'm getting close to my 100th post and I am trying to think of some exciting thing to do for the celebration. Maybe a give-away, who knows?

There's so much going on in our world today with the weather, politics, huge gas prices. If you let it, you could get dizzy. I am ready for the fall. Our heat index yesterday was 101. Now folks, that is just too hot. I am ready for some nice cool weather.

This Sunday we have Biker Sunday at church. Our church has a ministry to bikers and once a year we have a service that caters to the bikers. They will serve lunch and have several hundred bikers. Our pastor is learning to ride and even bought a motorcycle to ride on that special day.

I need to go visiting some of my bloggy friends and get going on my latest projects. I'm making some postcards and trying to think ahead for holiday gifts. Time is marching along and later this month I will be turning another year older. I'm blessed and the Lord has been so good to me!!!

As you can see I have put up a new banner with my granddaughter, Avery. This picture was taken in Disney World after she got fixed up like Jasmine. She's my little sweetheart and she won't be a little girl for too much longer. Time goes so fast and I just want to relish every minute of it. She stays with us every weekend and my husband and I treasure the time we have with her.

She's starting to get excited about the holidays and I sure hope I will be the one to take her to get her picture made with Santa.

Thank you so much for your book suggestions. I am going to be looking for some new books this weekend. You guys are wonderful!!!

Any books you would recommend?

It's good to be back writing a post. I have been fighting with allergies and I was thankful to have an extra day off to rest on the holiday. Sneezing a zillion times and having burning eyes have kept me from doing all the things I wanted to do. I shouldn't complain. Allergies are not a big deal and I need to just thank the Lord it's not worse.

I have been reading a C.S. Lewis book, "The Problem of Pain". It is such a thought provoking book. He was a brilliant man.

I wonder what you guys are reading these days. I think I need to read something a little lighter when I finish this and I am anxious to know if there's a book or series that you would recommend.