COMMON GROUND COFFEE HOUSE #96

Hmmm, I can't remember the last time I was the first one to the coffee house.

I bet Sue has gone on her day trip. We can have a party while she's gone! I'll bring the confetti and a red velvet cake. Ya'll add on to it!

In the meantime, I've put on the coffee, restocked the fridge with Dr. P's and diet coke. Left some chocolate covered donuts on the counter.

Speaking of donuts, where are Preacher and StandingFirminChrist lately?

 

Yeah, I've been missing the adventures of BH.

 

Glad you had a good trip, Sue. Now enjoy the RELAXing.

 

Good afternoon, everyone. I'm finally back online. The old computer bit the dust. The more we tried to "fix" it the worse it got.

We have been to our second horse show in as many weeks and we really do not like horses, but our 9 year old granddaughter does and our niece does. So the first show was to support our niece and her horse's first show.

Today, we went to a Horse Show to check out the facilities. One of our church members was there (her daughter was riding in the show). She highly recommends the place and showed us around the facilities. I think we will start with summer camp and then if granddaughter really likes it, she will take private lessons.


Hope everyone has a great weekend.

 

Oooh, granddaughter better be glad she has you for a Grandmother! Bitsy has been trying to talk me into riding lessons for a while now. But at $20 an hour it is just way to expensive. She'll have to be satified with karate and gymnastics.

Welcome home Sue! It's been very quiet at the coffee house without you.

 

We just got back home from a long day. Shower for Blythe this afternoon and a Gaither homecoming concert tonight! wonderful day!

 

Glad you had a good day, Bitsy! How are the wedding plans coming? My son and his fiancee are in the picking out stage--invitations, etc. It's all very exciting!

 

I wish I could benefit from his fun!

Blessed Sunday Everyone!

I'm hoping spring has arrived to my sick young'uns. Chris has made it 4 whole days without pain! Cassie's been suffering with her arthritis and a migraine, but both are better (though not gone) this morning and she is smiling. Bitsy is keeping herself occupied in her bedroom and I haven't seen her but one second this morning. I hope the rest of the day is this peaceful!

Ya'll have a good one!

 

Afternoon all:

Sue, glad you have a good visit with Vern. I pray for him often. Also enjoy getting his devotional. I'm glad the trip went safely.

It's 86 here with a heat index of 91. YUK!

Friday was not my idea of fun. I thought the doctor was only going to inject in three spots, but, he found 5 that were overly inflamed, and did them all, and was going to do more until he saw that my blood pressure was rising too fast. The nerve blocks aren't taking, and he wants to do the "facet joints" two weeks from now. I'm not sure if I'm going to let him.

Anyhow, I ended up in bed all day Friday. Saturday was a full day with trips to the two banks, the post office, the grocery, etc. Then we came home and we had to mow as much of the lawn as possible. It had rained almost all afternoon Friday and part of the morning Saturday. I, against doctors orders, lifted the push mower off of the storage rack it was on. Then I push mowed around the house. The grass was very thick, and very wet. I got it done, and then started on the riding mower. I rode until my legs went numb and Vivian had to help me off. I hate when doctors tell me I "can't" do something...so I try to push myself and prove them wrong....Guess what??? HE WAS RIGHT!!! I can hardly walk today, but, praise be to God, I'm still alive and breathing!

Thanks to all of those who've prayed.

Hope you have a beautiful Lords day!

 

Good Morning Everyone!

Got a day ahead of me. Two letters to two schools to write. Curtains for a customer to hang. Add to that the general housework and the increasing need to attend to the yard and I'll have a full day.

Cass is better this morning, but Bitsy's ears hurt and Chris has a brand new migraine. I figure we'll be at the doctor bright and early in the morning. I'm giving it the day though, cause Bits doesn't have a fever and we have meds at home to try before Chris has to go in for a shot.

I'll be in and out and then mostly out for the rest of the day. Ya'll have a good one!

 

MK, I have had several people say how fortunate Sissy is to have me as a grandmother, but she sure doesn't believe it.

The last "mean" thing that I did was not let her go with the youth group out to eat after church.
(She is only 9) We were going to take her to Burger King to eat and play, but she didn't give me a chance to tell her that before she had a fit so she didn't get to do either.

Nothing seems to work with this child. A lecture, punishment, rewards, encouragement, etc. Nothing works. She is very good most of the time, but when she doesn't get her way. Better watch out!

I have never had a child that I couldn't reason with so this is very new to me.

Suggestions, anyone?

 

Sarcasm and consistancy. Can't go to Burger King? "Oh well, I have some bread and water at the house. You won't starve!"

Stomach ache and can't go school? "When you throw up, they'll call me!"

Then just ignore the rest or send her to her room until she calms down. (This is there own decision, no time to stay given, just the instruction not to come out until the tantrum is over. Of course sometimes they get sent more than one time in a row.)

I've done both with Jenna (my obstinate one). My friend is reminding me of the time Jenna started up in the car over something. I told her if she didn't stop by the time I reached the stop sign I was going to pull over and get a "hickory". Reached the stop sign and she was still screaming, so I pulled over and got out of the car. Instant silence. I didn't even have to use the switch. (btw, spanking is very rare in this house, but when it's needed it is effective)

My latest is that Jenna invariably starts up about something just as she gets out of school. Often I have to come back to her school to pick up a friend's child who get out later. So when Jenna starts, I politely invite her to get out of the car and go on and pitch her fit and I'll be back in a bit to pick her up! I've even gone so far as to stop the car or turn the corner to go back to the school. That stops it! She certainly doesn't want her friends and teachers to see her in a tantrum! Of course she has no idea that I wouldn't really do it....or would I?

The tactics do take time to be effective. You must pick one way of doing things or two and stick with them. And you must be willing to follow through on your bluff! So I keep my bluffs to something I willing to have called.

My latest that affects all the kids is extra chores for bickering! That only took once or twice to be effective and now all I have to say is "Who needs something extra to do, cause I need......". Instant disappearing, quiet children who suddenly love each other again!

 

Spring Fever.

 

Good Morning all:

It's 64 here this morning and a bit cooler. I can feel and smell the rain getting ready to come into the area. They say that we are expecting some large storms today. I hope it doesn't cut the power off. The television I can do without, but not the air.

Yesterday the Lord impressed upon me how hectic our lives as Christians become and how often we just quickly rush through our time with Him, almost making him a second, or even a third priority. I have found myself doing this over the past few weeks because of events that have entered my life, and the worries that they've brought. But, HE allowed those worries. He wants me to put them in HIS hands. Worry will only make the human body sick. And, if we truly believe what Christians are supposed to believe, that GOD IS IN CONTROL, we shouldn't worry. God is going to bring those events together to the praise of His glory.
So, I cut the worry buttons power yesterday.

Sue, I sat out on the back porch yesterday and talked to my mother and sister on the cell phone for nearly two hours. If the Lord provides, we hope to get to go home on June 2nd for my nephews graduation and a family reunion on the third. My uncle isn't doing well, and if he makes it to the reunion, it may be the last time. Also, my mother's sister isn't always doing that well either with her heart problems. Others in the family are having health challenges, and some of them may culminate in an early homegoing. I think it's important to go to be with family and be a blessing to them. It will also give me a chance to visit my father's grave, and Vivian to visit her mother's grave, fathers grave out in Dearing, GA, and her grandparents grave just up from my fathers and a couple of rows away from her mothers.

The verse about being appointed unto man once to die...and it hit me. Death can hit at any moment, but, if we, as the children of God are doing what we should, God will take care of the details. Our appointed time is something most of us will never know until it happens. I'm not going to live my life in fear of how or when I will die. God will see me through. Is that strange? I don't know. It's like I'm not afraid to die. Is that thing that happens as one grows older?

Anyhow, that's my rant for today, though it's not much of a rant!

God bless ya'll, and have a wonderful day!

Bro. T