What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Thursday, September 2, 2021

Thankful Thursday and Happy September!

Happy September! Better a day late than never!
This was the sunrise yesterday morning, September 1st. Not long after we had quite the rainstorm blow in and the rest of the day was quite wet and dark, and then surprisingly cool!  It actually felt like a September day!  I only wish it would have lasted a little longer than a day. Today was back to normal hot and sultry.  


But we know fall is coming!  The calendar tells us so!

So on September 22nd we will expect the temperatures to turn crisp and cool and perfect!
Well, at least a girl can dream, can't she? I know, I do live in Florida...it may be more like the end of October before it begins to feel like fall. 
September is my favorite month because it is also my birth month. I guess that's why I always have such a special feeling when September comes around!

Don't you just love this picture by John Sloane? This is his Country Seasons Calendar, and I absolutely love his paintings.  Wouldn't you just love to to be there in that old country store with that sweet old doggy and pretty kitty?  Yes, that's my kind of place!

But, then again, I also love to be in a lovely tea room, visiting with friends over a hot cup of tea...


Maybe like this quote from my Teapot & Tea calendar:

That sounds delightful, doesn't it? Oh, I wish we could all get together someday and do just that.

Lily Grace and I sat outside on the swing for a little while the other evening eating a popsicle.
Lily loves to try and guess the riddles found on the popsicle sticks.  I call them the "POPsicle Quiz"...remember when we used to have "pop quizzes" in school? Who liked them and who didn't? I guess it depended on how much you had paid attention to the lessons all week!!
Anyway, this quiz riddle says:

"Why was the farmer upset?"
 Can you guess the answer?

"His cows were MOO-DY".  Ha Ha Ha! 
 
Now for the thankful part of this post:
  
1. Praise God that our "kids" are doing SO MUCH BETTER since they had that antibody infusion! It is like a miracle how quickly and wonderfully that helped them to start getting well. Yes, they still have a ways to go to regain their strength, but they sound SO much better, and they are even feeling more like doing things around their house again.  They probably won't be able to go back to work until next week after they get a negative Covid Test, but we are all just SO thankful they are feeling so much better each day. Praise God!

2.  As most of you know, our kids own a business in St. Augustine, "Dixie Cottage", which is a coastal themed furniture and decor store.  They are the sole proprietors, and if they can't be there to work, then the store has to be closed. That is a very difficult situation for them financially, as you can imagine.  Well, they have a couple of ladies who are vendors in their store, putting items in the store on consignment.  They both volunteered to take turns keeping the store open every day this week so that our kids won't lose their income and  customers!  Praise God again!! That was a real surprise blessing!

3.  Today I had a follow up appointment with my Pain Management Dr. regarding my neck issues.  Although the appointment went well enough, she has decided to refer me back to the neurosurgeon for further testing and evaluation.  Why is this a praise item? Well, I really wanted a 2nd opinion before we went any further with more "pain management" techniques that, to me, were a bit "unnerving"....pun intended...because it involves nerve blocks, etc.   I am not sure that is the route I want to go at this point and asked for some time to think about that, and she recommended that I visit the neurosurgeon. So I already have an appointment scheduled for next week! That was quick! And yes, I consider that a praise item.  But also a prayer request that I will get some answers that will truly help me and not prolong the inevitable...God knows best and I will trust His judgment on this issue.

4.  And I am very thankful for each of you, my friends out here in Blogland. Thank you for your prayers, your friendship, and fun!  I know many of you have serious issues in your own families and lives, and it is wonderful that we can lift each other up and encourage one another here.  I apologize that I have not been quite as active here lately, but several things come into play...my physical issues mean that I must not spend so much time sitting at my computer, and also our family needs this past week were very great. I am so thankful that we were able to help our kids even if "from a distance".  I told my hubby that if we  hadn't have moved here to this house 2 years ago, we would have had to commute from 30 miles away to help them out, and that would have been difficult.  God always knows what is best for us even way in advance.  He sees the bigger picture we cannot see, and oftentimes the way we are directed now could be for some need in the future that we know nothing of.  God is in control...even in our country and world events.  It may be hard to see that right now...but in time we will better understand it all.   Until then, just keep looking up and wait on the Lord!


We read this passage in our devotional readings yesterday morning:

("Olive Tree and Lavender" by Winston Porter)

Psalm 52:8-9
8  "But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God;
I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.
9 I will praise You forever,
Because You have done it;
And in the presence of Your saints
I will wait on Your name, for it is good."

 Amen!  Have a good night my friends.  

36 comments:

  1. Great post as always. I am so glad to hear the kids are doing better and bless those ladies hearts. There is still so much good. We just have to look for it and concentrate on it rather than the other. I love your calendar pictures. I have eaten my fair share of popsicles this summer. They have been my go to for this summer. I even started making my own with some old holders I had. I am also so happy to hear you got an appointment so quickly. I will pray the doctor has the wisdom needed to find the best solution. Jeff has some similar pain I think??? but his will come and go. IT will hurt for months and then just ease up. I pray you get some relief.

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    1. Thank you, Sandy. I am praying the Dr. will give me a thorough evaluation and not just put a "bandaid" on the pain without exploring the underlying reasons for what is happening. That is what I feared was happening with the Pain Mgmt. Dr., and I would like some further information before proceeding. I hope your Jeff will not be suffering with this pain much. I know stress plays a big part in making it worse... Oh, do you have the old Tupperware popsicle holders? I used to have those when the kids were little, and we made juice popsicles a lot! I wish I still had them. I hope your family is doing better. Been praying for them and for you. Did you do okay with IDA? I was praying. Take care and God bless you all.

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  2. I enjoyed my visit here with you today! I am glad Benton and Rose are feeling so much better. Friends from church also got the infusion and were feeling better in just a few hours. It's pretty incredible! So much to be thankful for! Blessings to you and yours!! xo

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    1. Thank you, Terri. I am always happy to see your smiling face here. And yes, this infusion is very incredible. God is so good to make it available for our kids and many others. We are very thankful indeed. How is Darlene doing? Is she getting better? I surely hope so. I hope you will be able to get up to see her soon. I hope you have a blessed and beautiful weekend. Anything special on tap? I probably should go read what you've written and find out! Have a blessed day.

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  3. So glad that your kids are doing better and that they had the antibody infusion available to them! How wonderful that their vendors were willing to work when they couldn't. Praying you receive some answers and help from the neurosurgeon.

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    1. Thank you so much Jan. God has certainly blessed our family with these answers to prayer. We are so very thankful. I am sure He is going to also provide answers for my health situation. One step at a time. Thank you for your prayers. Have a blessed weekend.

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  4. What a glorious sunrise! And oh my, yes....Hello September! I like October the best, but autumn is my favorite of all the seasons. I love how busy it is, how cozy it feels, and all the colors, smells, and tastes. I plan to decorate this weekend, but I've already got my salted caramel candle burning. It's such a home and hearth kind of smell. I would love to poke around in that old country store. What treasures are likely "hiding" on the shelves. The quote about having tea made me smile and think of my Nana with the bit about looking out on the garden. Do you suppose we will all get to sit together for a tea party in heaven? ;) Praising God that your "kids" are doing so much better and for those two sweet ladies who have kept the shop open for them. They are certainly earning another jewel in their crowns! Of course prayers are going up and will continue to do so until you find answers and I hope, relief from your pain. Isn't it mind boggling and humbling when you stop and consider all the details stretching back through time that God brought together to bring you to this moment? That He started putting it all in place before the world was created? I am in awe of our Lord.

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    1. Oh my, your last couple of sentences...yes, it IS mind boggling and humbling to consider all the details that God brought together to bring us to this moment. Oh my...I could write a book, and often wished that I would, but not sure who would read it...but it is God's love story to us, His children...the wonderful ways He wove our tapestry of life together into something beautiful. Yes, I am in awe of our Lord as well. Thank you for those lovely thoughts this morning. And yes, I love October almost as much as September, but because this is my birth month it is always special to me. I think also because that was the month we'd start back to school, get some new shoes or clothes, school supplies, and then see all our friends again after a long hot summer of missing them. It was always a month full of "new beginnings". Oh, about that tea party in heaven...why not? I know we will definitely have a magnificent banquet with Jesus...and why not break out into tea parties with all the sweet people we've longed to see and know? Heaven is going to be a very active place I believe. No sitting around strumming harps on the clouds. But it will be glorious and wonderful, beyond our greatest imagination! Thank you for your prayers and kind thoughts. God is at work, and we are very glad. Have a blessed and wonderful weekend.

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  5. Happy September to you dear Pamela. I'm with you on all your praise reports. It's awesome how God undertakes just what we need. I certainly hear and understand the need to withdraw from Blogland a bit when one is dealing with physical issues and/or real life issues on the ground. I have that happen a lot these days it seems. Plus I am trying to get much of my household organized and little projects here and that there seem to take so much time and energy especially when unforeseen "little" issues arise. I love your calendar photos and I'm glad to hear you had at least one day of cool weather with more to look forward to down the line.

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    1. Thank you, Penny. Yes, our God IS an awesome God!! We are SO thankful. And yes, it's amazing how much energy is consumed in little household projects or in helping out with sick loved ones, extra shopping, errands, etc. When we retired we became creatures of habit (or in a rut, you might say) and when that routine gets disrupted it can be exhausting. But we are very thankful to be able to help and praise God for HIS help!! I hope you have a blessed and wonderful day/weekend.

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  6. Praying for your kids. what wonderful vendors helping them out. I will be praying and I loved youe calendar shares. The first one reminded me of an Amish toymaker we met in Western NY last year. I am loving the cooler weather but noticed how dark it is getting earlier at night. Makes me kind of sad. I love the verse you shared here and it is always so nice to visit with you. Take care. HUGS across these miles XO

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    1. Thank you so much for your prayers. They are much appreciated. Yes, it is starting to get darker here at night and in the mornings too. I don't like so much darkness either, but that lends itself to making things cozier in our homes with lighting and even turning on our little electric fireplace for ambiance before we need it for heat. We live in Florida, so we really don't need it for heat, but we still enjoy it since we don't have a real fireplace. Thank you for visiting and for your kind words of encouragement. Have a blessed and beautiful day.

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  7. Hi Pam, I am glad your kids are getting better! There is always something to be thankful for. That is great how quickly you got your appointment! I have been having neck issues and numbness that radiates down to my fingers. It happens when I am asleep, but it goes away when I am up. I have a consult Friday. That is a beautiful pictures and verses that go with it too! Happy Friday!

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    1. Oh Susan, you sound like me! I pray your consult will go well. Is it with a Neurosurgeon? I was sent to a Pain Management dr. first, and they did the epidural in my neck, which has been wonderful, plus I have physical therapy 2xweek. But now they are referring me back to the Neuro dr. to evaluate before we move forward with any other kind of treatment. Be sure to get a second opinion before you jump in with any other kinds of treatment unless you are absolutely sure it is right for you. I will be praying for you to get some good answers. Please let me know. Happy Friday to you too.

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  8. What a blessing that Benton and Rose are feeling better with each passing day, Pamela! I'm so glad to know that the infusion treatment works that well. I will keep them in continued prayer, and will be praying for you with your neck issues. It is a praise that you have a consult scheduled with a neurologist. Second opinions certainly can't hurt!
    Oh, and Happy Early Birthday, too! :)

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    1. Thank you, Martha! Yes, we are rejoicing that our kids are doing so much better. It is a huge answer to prayer. And thank you for the prayers for me. One day at a time...I just want to be proactive on this issue before it gets worse. And thank you for the early birthday wishes. It's not until the 25th, so you are plenty early! LOL. Have a blessed day.

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  9. That is wonderful news about the "kids". Praise God. The antibody infusion is much safer and works faster than the jab with the untested compound. I'm glad this is available now.
    Love the photos.
    Blessings. xx

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    1. We are SO thankful that our kids have recovered so well, but they were very very sick and it was almost too late. So thankful God nudged them to get to the ER when He did. Many people have not been quite so fortunate. Way too many people have suffered and died in this area lately. And many of them were young people under the age of 50, with no underlying issues. Our kids were almost statistics. We are very thankful to God for His protection. It is very humbling.

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  10. Praise God, indeed! I'm so behind the times, I didn't realize those infusions were available. 'Just came from reading a little more, and the leading pulmonologist here said if someone doesn't receive it within 10 days of their first symptom (v. test) it probably wouldn't do any good. So, praise God again for Benton and Rose taking swift action!
    So relieved to hear you're getting that second opinion; how wonderful an appointment came available so soon! 'Saying another prayer for his (her?) wise counsel.

    I was so excited to step outside to an (almost) dry 65* morning. Is that a hint of Autumn I smell? I want to walk right into that little general store on your calendar. Care to accompany me?

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    1. Yes, I do want to accompany you! Let's go!! Wouldn't that be a hoot? Oh, 65 degrees and a hint of Autumn in the air? Lucky you! Send it our way, please! Thank you for the kind words and prayers. All are appreciated. Yes, we do Praise God for answering prayers on behalf of our kids, just in the nick of time too. I wish more people knew about this treatment. It is definitely a life saver.

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  11. So glad your kids are getting better and how God provided for their needs at the store. He is so good. Hoping and praying you will get some answers real soon. Take care my friend and have a good weekend.

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    1. Thank you, Cathy. We are very grateful to God for all the ways He has taken care of our family during this time. We are very humbled and thankful. And thank you for your prayers regarding my neck issues. I am taking it one step at a time and trusting God to lead me in the right direction, and stop me if I am headed in the wrong direction. I know He will do just that. I hope you will have a great weekend too.

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  12. I love your calendar. So nice of those vendors to help out. Glad they are feeling better. I pray you will get some answers for your neck. Yes, God does know in advance. Hope you have a nice weekend.

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    1. Thank you, Debby. It's been roller coaster ride for our kids this past week, but they are on the home stretch now and we are SO thankful to God. We are blessed and humbled by His care and provision. I hope you and yours have a wonderful weekend too. Hugs!

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  13. Pam: I am glad to hear that Benton and Rose are getting better. Our temps up here are in the middle 70s. We find it a bit chilly but better than what we have had. I love the calendar pictures. My favorite calendar pictures are the Norman Rockwell paintings. Yes, I was born too late, or so I think. Peace and blessings to you and yours.

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    1. Thank you so much Cecelia. Yes, we praise the Lord for His watchcare over our family. We are humbled and blessed by His love and provision in all ways. Oh, middle 70's sounds wonderful! I am ready for that! It may be a while here before that comes, but I'm ready when it does! Yes, I love Norman Rockwell pictures too. We usually try to get a calendar with his pictures on it each year if we can find one. My husband especially loves those. I hope you and yours have a blessed and peaceful weekend.

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  14. Pam, I'm praying with you that this appt next week gives you the insight and answers you need for your pain.

    I'm so glad to read that Benton and Rose are now, finally, on a path to a more speedy recovery. Will continue to keep them in my prayers.

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    1. Thank you, Barbara. We are SO very thankful. God has been very gracious. And yes, I am hoping the Dr. will take the time to evaluate my situation more closely. I don't want to just put a bandaid on the pain without fully understanding what it is going on and what the future prognosis might me. So, yes, prayers are much appreciated. I hope you are having a good weekend. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers always.

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  15. Such good news in your post! You certainly will continue to have my prayers for you and your "kids" and all connected to it. What kind ladies those vendors were! Heaven-sent. Of course! And that was sure quick getting that neurosurgeon appointment. It's usually months.

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    1. Thank you, Holly. We are so very thankful for this "miracle cure" for our kids. God is so very gracious and kind, and we are most thankful. And yes, the ladies who are taking care of the store are a real blessing. That was a huge answer to prayer. Re: my appt. with the Dr., I was pleasantly surprised that it came through so quickly as well. I am anxious to get some answers for what is really best for me without just putting a bandaid on it and not getting to the real cause. So please pray with me. Thank you. Praying for you too, regarding your job situation. I know God has something very special for you. Just keep your eyes on Him and He will guide you each step of the way.

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  16. I am thankful that you have an appt with the neurosurgeon to discuss your concerns and treatment. It is definitely a blessing to receive an appointment so soon. I will be praying for you. I am thankful that ROse and Benton are so much better and that the Lord worked it out for them to receive the infusion. Your calendars are beautiful. I am happy you and Lily Grace enjoyed time in the swing. Sending my love and prayers to you and your family.

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  17. So good to hear the kids are doing well, Praise God!! I am so sorry to learn about your neck issues, prayers for healing coming your way. I loved this months calendar page, it reminds me of the old general store when we lived in a remote area of Canada.

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  18. Such good news your son and daughter in law doing better praise God I will continue to pray for you all

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  20. "God always knows what is best for us even way in advance."

    This is important to remember!

    "God is in control...even in our country and world events. It may be hard to see that right now...but in time we will better understand it all."

    This is important to remember too. It's hard to look.

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  21. You had some good things to share. I'm very glad your son and his wife are feeling better! And I so hope you get some relief from your pain too. It's supposed to be just a little 'less' hot this week! We'll see! heehee! Hugs!

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