66 Love Letters

     Sometime back, I was given the opportunity to review an awesome book, 66 Love Letters.  It has taken me awhile to read it because my eyes have been giving me trouble.  However, I must say, this is one of the best books I've found for getting into the Bible.

     Dr. Larry Crabb has taken each book in the Bible and broken it down so each book is as it should be; a love letter from our Heavenly Father.  I was really surprised at the sense of personal touch I felt while reading this book.  Yes, I have read the Bible, many times and I love the messages and the stories.  However, in his book, 66 Love Letters, Dr. Crabb explains in clear and simple language how completely involved our Father is in our lives.  It's a book I have returned to several times to remind me that the Bible really is a love letter from my Heavenly Father.

     66 Love Letters, read in conjunction with the Bible, brings a very personal and deep sense of why we have the Bible and how we can let it be a guide in our lives.  I strongly recommend this book as a help in understanding our Father's great love.  I hope you will pick it up and find out for yourself what an awesome message is waiting, just for you.

     Until the next time, keep a hug on.

 ~ Yaya

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LENNY!!!

Lenny, you bring us so much joy.  Happy Birthday!  Have fun on your special day.

Hugs from Yaya.
                                                           

Treadle-Neck of the Great Depression

     Whenever I was around my gramma' I loved hearing the stories of when she was younger. It din't seem to matter whether she was telling about when she was eighteen or sixty-eight, her stories held worlds of wonder for me. Her ability to breathe life into a tale was nuthin' less than magical. How I did love her stories.


     Have I ever told you that my gramma' was a tailor? True story! In fact, she used to carry a tablet with her an' whenever she saw a clothing design she liked, she'd pull out her tablet an' quickly sketch her favorite parts. Back at home, she would figure out how to create her own pattern so she could include that idea in one of the designs she developed on her own. 'Course, she wasn't always a tailor. The story of how she learned to sew is one I've always loved.

     Gramma' hadn't been married very long when she decided she'd like to learn to sew. Knowing that her mama had a nice treadle sewing machine, she asked to use it. Her mama apparently was not the kinda' person who shared with her children, as she told her daughter that she could use the machine for the mere sum of $5 per day; an enormous amount of money during the depression.

     At this point, my grampa' decided to take matters into his own hands. He told my gramma' to wait outside an' he'd be out in a minute. Here, Gramma' always added that she never did learn what was said in those few minutes, but they did not use her mama's sewing machine.

     Instead, they went to a nearby town an' bought a brand-new treadle sewing machine for the grand total of… are you ready for this? $5. That's right; for $5 they were able to get a brand-new sewing machine. They also bought a bolt of material. When they returned home, Grampa' told Gramma' that borrowin' would not be something they would consider doin' in the future. Then Gramma' took her new treasure an' the bolt of material an' proceeded to learn how to sew.

     Using one of Grampa's farm shirts as a pattern, Gramma' carefully took the shirt apart an' cut copies of each piece, then sewed 'em all together. When she was done sewing, Gramma' was very proud of the shirt she had made. She had Grampa' try it on for size an' that's when the error was discovered. Evidently, Gramma' had wanted to be absolutely certain that the neck wasn't gonna' be too tight, so each time she measured it, she allowed juuuuuuust a little extra to be added.

     When Grampa' tried it on, everything fit perfectly… except the neck. Grampa' took a handful of the neck area an' pulled it about two feet in front of him, saying, "Well, Baby; ya' dun real good. But the next time, you might wanna' make the neck just a little smaller."

     The next time Gramma' used a pattern, she was much more careful in her measurements an' she kept improving until her skills were such that she could make any item she set her mind to. She could make the patterns for an' sew dresses, pants, shirts, jackets, wedding dresses, suits, winter coats an' anything else she thought up. I'd say that's not too bad for someone who had almost no formal education of any kind an' who taught herself to sew; wouln't you?

     Until the next time, keep a hug on.

~ Yaya

Gimme' That Ol' Time Stitchin'

     Around where I live, there are lotsa' people who go to auctions.

  Just last month, there was a nearly-new van sold for only a few hunnerd dollars.  Lemme' tell you, that was one happy group who bid on that one.  I like goin' to auctions on accounta' I sometimes get some pretty good deals.  I also like goin' to find the types of things I can't find in your average, run-of-the-mill shopping center; things like little collections that remind me of my gramma'.

     Years ago, when I went to my first auction, it was quite a shock to my system to realize how many treasures could be had an' how many people wanted to take my new-found treasures from me.  One of the first things my good hubby-buddy ever bought for me at auction was a treadle sewing machine.  My, how I did love that machine.  In fact, I used to sit at that machine for hours, with my babies at my knees.  I would be happily sewin' up some fun item, whilst they sat on the treadle an' rocked it back an' forth for me.

     I finally wore that ol' sewing machine out, after years an' years of havin' yards an' yards of material fun.  It was kinda' sad when my machine quit.  I've never found another one that I could work quite as well as I was able to work that one.  I sometimes wish that companies would go back into the business of manufacturing summa' those really nice treadle sewing machines, again.  Seems like there are lotsa' people who would prefer to use summa' those easy-to-use, no-gadgets-to-mess-up tools from long ago.  *sigh*

     Until the next time, keep a hug on.

 ~ Yaya

Are You Ready For Thanksgiving?

    

     I am so excited 'bout this year's holiday season. Unlike previous years, I have so many ways to prepare and every single one of 'em is somethin' I can hardly wait to get started on. Are you ready for Thanksgiving? Don't you jus' love bein' able to gather with friends an' family? With food as the central topic, you can play games an' enjoy the holiday even more, this year.

     Are you a teacher? Have you been wondering how to share knowledge in a way that will hold your students' interest?  Python Thanksgiving Party Games is definitely the answer to your quest. Print all the copies you want an' keep those thirsty minds askin' for more. Python Printable Games are the perfect addition to your teaching agenda because everyone loves to play games an' your kids will learn while they play.

     Do you like working crossword puzzles or word searches? Surprise! You can get both with these packets. In fact, there are quizzes an' poems, match games an' scavenger hunts; so many different kinds of games that I can't list 'em all. Your kids will look forward to Thanksgiving, this year an' every year, because you will have enough variety to create different games for each year. Hurry over there an' check out the wunnerful games that Python Printable Games has. You'll be glad you did.

     Until the next time, keep a hug on.

~ Yaya

This Product Was a Free Giveaway

Quarentined! They Got Me!

     Ack!  Ack!  Cough!  Oh, hi.  Sorry 'bout that.  Seems I have picked up some kinda' flu bug 'er sumpin'.  I don't usually catch colds or struggle with flu.  I've been very fortunate like that.  I can't imagine where I might've caught it from.  I don't really go anywhere, to speak of.  I'm perfectly content to stay in my own little house an' enjoy bein' somethin' of a recluse.  'Course, it doesn't bother me to go out.  Or to have anyone visit, for that matter.  I'm jus' very comfortable bein' home, ya' know?

     I was gonna' do so many things, today; write the great American novel, sew a new wardrobe, make gifts for all my grandies for Christmas.  I had the whole day planned out.  Unfortunately, in the middle of the night, the flu bug changed my mind.  Now, I'll pro'lly hafta' reschedule alla' that fun stuff for another day.  Ungh!  Life can be sooooo haaaaaard.

     Be careful whilst reading this post.  You don't wanna' get too close.  I really wouln't want you to catch whatever it is that caught me.  This is NOT fun.  This is not fun, a LOT!  So, be sure you drink your juices, eat all your veggies an' don't forget to take your vitamin C.  An' above all, stay healthy an' well, k?

     Until the next time, keep a... Healthy... hug on.

 ~ Yaya

A Treasured Gift From A Child

            One of my grandies has developed his own standards for enjoying the greatest happiness in life.  At six years old, there are several areas of Do's and Don'ts, as far as he's concerned.  For instance, sitting still is a definite No-No, but if he wants cake an' milk for breakfast, his talent for debate is quickly displayed.

            One practice he developed seems to have arrived at the time he was born. This particular conviction has been somethin' of a problem because there could be some very long-term negative repercussions to his decision.

            Fortunately for Grandie Boy, his daddy loves a good debate. It's interesting to watch as the two banter back an' forth, each seemingly a master with words. I love it that their battle of words can be so convincing, yet never lose the sense of love an' caring. Both my son (Grandie Boy's daddy) an' Grandie Boy treat such events as just another game.

            I'm sure by now, you must be wondering what it is that can cause so much discussion. Vegetables. That's what Grandie Boy fights so hard against. According to him, there are no edible vegetables. Well, unless you count French Fries. To him, the thought of allowing somethin' so vile to touch his tongue is nuthin' short of certain death. Naturally, Daddy constantly seeks new ways to include veggies as a delicious an' appealing food.

            Enter, Asparagus! According to Grandie Boy, only cows eat grass an' he ain't a cow. Since asparagus looks so much like Cow-Food (Grandie Boy's own pet name), he has developed many discussions against this particular food.

            Until last week, that is. At long last, Daddy found the ideal way to prepare this most despised food. Now, before I tell you how it was cooked, you need to remember that some lessons are learned by means of small steps. Admittedly, the preparation was not the most healthful way to eat a vegetable, but since it was the first time that Grandie Boy was willing to try asparagus, perhaps the preparation can be overlooked this time.

            As expected, when one bite of this new food was placed on Grandie Boy's plate, his natural reaction was suspicion. However, since it had been rolled in flour an' looked like a French Fry, he allowed it to stay. Daddy told him he din't hafta' like it, but he did hafta' try it. With more interest than he had ever shown before, Grandie Boy lifted the spear of fried asparagus between two fingers an' slipped the whole thing into his mouth.  Daddy waited for the reaction an' when there was none, he placed another section of fried asparagus on the plate.

            Grandie Boy picked it up an' took a bite. It was at this point that the child stated his true feelings; words every parent wants to hear. "You know, Daddy, I think I could learn to like vegetables."

            As gifts go, those words were among the best offering ever presented by a child to his parent.

            Until the next time, keep a hug on.

    

 ~ Yaya