hummmm

Its a full moon again...wonder what mysteries it beholds this time...last time it was horrible for the paper route...soooo what shall I write about this am.
My sister is coming to see me and am I happy. She just became divorced and is beginning to get out and about which is good. I miss getting out and about. The paper route has limited us to no end. Maybe one day that will change. I hope that we can just sit and talk and reminisce of old times...she is a bit younger than me about 7 years younger , was thinking it was more. anyway, she is precious as all of my family is.
When we were living in Phenix City Alabama in the late 60's, her boyfriend/fiance was stationed at Ft. Benning. He would come over and see us and tell us he was going to get Kathy and marry her. Well one day he showed up with her and said they needed a place to stay until she was 18 on Dec 1st and then she could marry him. So she stayed with us., Mother found out and let me have it with both barrels. I don't think she ever forgave me for taking Kathy in and then letting them get married. Eighteen  was the legal age in Alabama without parents consent to get married. I remember that we practiced the wedding using Windy as the bride, Vann as the groom and Jeff as the usher. It was so funny  watching the little ones act old!!! It was one of the first weddings that honey preformed. If I remember correctly he married one couple in Shiloh and she was only 14 but as far as we know they are still married...hummmm It stuck!
Well, we had a beautiful wedding for her, help them get an apartment, had a shower for her in the parsonage (if I remember correctly). They were married until 1996 when Wayne passed away from Leukemia.. That was one of the saddest days of my life.  How sad to have to officiate at his funeral, but honey did . He is a strong man, so full of the love of God and wants the best for all mankind. I do love my honey. Wayne and Kathy had 3 beautiful children, Allen, Karey and Teresa. We saw them several times over the years. So Thursday her and Teresa are  coming to see us. I am glad.
Talking about officiating at funerals, the saddest and probably the easiest yet hardest was when we lost our son, Vann. Will talk about that another time. Can't do it just yet. I hurt so bad when I think of him.

So as to not knowing what to write, I just wrote alot!!! lol Honey said "you talk alot, you can write alot!!!"  Stinker!
Oh, one of the things I just remembered was when  we had gone out to make a call or two for the church and Wayne stayed with the kids, keeping them while we worked for the church, anyway, he said that Jeff (about 2 1/2) stuck his finger in the light socket and got the shock of his life, stated crying and Wayne, of course as he always did laughed and laughed! Jeff said " tain't funny" " not funny" . bless his heart I don't think he did that again! Love that Jeff!!!!! He was such an adorable little boy as was Vann.
Windy was taking piano lessons then  and was trying so hard to be "like her mother". I wish I had been a better mother...God forgive me. I bought her 2 new dresses that were so beautiful, we did not have a camera , so no picture, for her 2 recitals. She played so good,was so serious as a student. She wanted to play the piano like her mother. One day the piano teacher told me that she thought Windy just was not advancing as she should and did I want her to continue. I said" Yes Yes Yes, as long as she wants to take lesson, she will have them."  We continued until we moved to Anniston Alabama and then Hank helped here with more lessons. But then they stopped. The boys also took some lessons also. I don't think my children were as musical as I had hoped but we tried. I love these children more than life itself. thank you god for what you gave me.
Thank you grandpa for listening...love you J

Travelers...

My neighbor across the street is taking a vacation with her 3 children under the age of 7. Well reminds me of us when we moved to each of our new pastorates. I spoke of one when we moved to Kentucky and the car was packed to the brim, actually there was an ironing board on my side between me and the door. Had to get out on the drivers side and had a baby in my arms. It was in July and hot hot hot..just ask Windy, she remembers and was only 4 years old...wow!
Well in 1974 we moved to New Mexico.  We loaded our uhaul, pulling a car behind the van and I was driving our car. Let me remind you I had never drove more that a few miles at a time and that just in town. When we took trips honey would drive and I would sleep!!! So away we go, honey had two  dog with him and me the 3 children. Windy was 12, Vann 9 and Jeff 8...not happy campers...but they had their 2 to 3 pillow each around them, luckily they liked to sleep some  while traveling. In those days the DVD had not been designed and I wish I had...would I be rich or what!  At times when they would arouse from their sleep would argue and fuss..."don't touch me" stop that" "mother, tell ....to stop that" and many more statements that would get a little hairy at times!!!  I was trying to stay awake and watch for that Van ahead of me. Honey did not seem to remember that I was behind him as he did his own thing , going at his own speed, going where he wanted....well! We got to Dallas and the worst interstate roads in the world (according to me). Honey entered a tunnel and without "remembering me" headed into it and I had to follow as I didn't know where I was going and followed him...when we got through  to the other side  instread of 3 lanes there were 4!!!! I made another lane just so I could follow him...I believe that I called him a number of names and some not good! HOrns honked and people just gave me such looks and I just threw up my hands and gave them such looks! Lord forgive me!!!!
As we traveled across Texas, to keep me awake the children and I would play  "cowboy and Indians" Us the cowboys and the Indians in the prairies  were after us! It kept me awake alright.  We made it alright and I hoped that would be the last for awhile but alas it wasn't.  I should mention that the dog decided it wasn't a traveler and about 50 miles from home we had stopped for gas in Iuka Ms and the dog got out and went into the station, laid down and refused to move...the owner just laughed and said "OK" I guess I have a dog"! and so we left her...but we had another dog and so  it was OK.
Then the time  we moved from Albuquerque NM to Florida and we were traveling through Texas in fact Muleshoe Texas...well there was this horrible smell ,honey and I were using CB"S this time to stay in contact...no more Dallas...and I picked up the mike and said  "what is that smell?" and immediately a voice came back and said" money honey that is money!" the kids had their heads embedded in their 3 pillows and hollering, yuck yuck!!!! We laughed about that for years. then in Post Texas we stopped for the best BBQ..nothing  around but that restaurant and 6 vans for catering. Do you think it was good? YES! We filled up on good Texas BBQ.
Traveling was our life for years and I don't think it hurt the children but broadened their lives.  They made many friends across this nation.
I will have to write another time about the trips the Leonards took when I was a young girl. Interesting!!!
thank you grandpa for listening to this little girls chatter. Love you J

My youngest child

Windy, Vann, Jeffrey

In 1963 we discovered that a third child was going to bless our home. Boy, what to do. I am a young 23 year old mother of 2 children. With a baby of 6 months old  and a child of 3 1/2 when I found out I was pregnant again. I just could not believe it. But alas it was true. Only God in his infinite wisdom knew that we needed that third child. Yes we needed him. Don't know so much that he needs us but we are in his debt for being our son. God knew that we would loose our second child and that we needed him and his sister for comfort.
When he was a  baby, he was so good.  He was a very quiet baby, didn't cry much and loved his bottle. Didn't like to eat much but loved his milk.... I remember one time when we went to the Georgia mountains and I tried to get him to eat and of course he turned his head refusing to eat. I was fussing at him and my sister, Carol who was only about 8 or so, grabbed him away form me and said" you are mean to him and I am going to take him"!!! Well! We got through that situation. I let him have the bottle and Carol was happy.! He also was very attached to his mother, sat in her lap until his legs were longer than hers. He used to bite his fingernails and when his were gone would take my fingers and before I knew it they were in his mouth biting mine!!!  I loved it when he sat in my lap and that was the biggest thing I had to overcome when he grew up and my lap became empty.
As all children grow up the nest is so empty that mothers and dads cry and their hearts are empty to  hear and feel the presence of their own.
We moved to Kentucky in  July  of 1964, had a old Plymouth without AC or heat. The car was loaded to the brim with us and the leftover things that was left by the movers. The church sent a mover that were from the country and I thought they would never arrive to deliver our things. They were kind of inebriated   and we had to send out someone to find them.  The car had honey, me, Windy, Vann and baby  Jeff who was 6 months old. He was teething, fussy and ready for a cool room! But when we got  to the parsonage/church there was the whole congregation, tables filled with food ... everyone ready for us to fellowship. We had traveled about 8 hours in 110 degree weather and were we ever tired. Jeff was so fussy, Vann running around like a chicken out of the coup and Windy was quiet not saying much. All we wanted was a bath and bed....well after a few minutes , I told the ladies I had to get Jeff inside and cool him down. So I left them and went into an empty house but a cool house and sat on the floor and held my baby. I think I cried and cried that we had placed our children in this situation . But of course they didn't know only we did. There was a woman who later on tried to take Jeff from us, we believe that she was possessed by evil spirits and  we had to take over the situation by force. It wasn't but a few months later that we moved to Phenix City Alabama.
Thank the good Lord that Jeff never knew about this terrible situation and was not harmed by it. He was blessed by God and Satan wanted control of him. We would not let that happen. He was given to us by God and to God would he be given back to.
This was just a little of what we had to endure for a few years  yet  God stayed with us and helped us.Other things happened that I will tell of later. It is hard to talk about and hopefully I will get through it.
The picture of the children was taken just before we moved to Kentucky. The "plastic" fruit on the table behind the children has a story in itself...will tell later.!
Thank you grandpa for listening. love you J

Where I was born.

This is a map of where I was born. In 1940 mother gave birth to me on Fathers day June 16. Dad was as happy as a lark and was so proud of his daughter. Named after a lady who helped him through his early years as a young man. His mother had left his father when the last boy , Joseph , was born, leaving Grandpa with 4 young boys to raise. This is the grandpa that I loved with all my heart. He was one of the most  caring, loving and gentle man that I knew of. Of course this is the memory of a young little girl who was the apple of his grandfathers heart. At the corner of NW 166th st and NW 2nd ave was the address. Today it is a empty lot with growth all around. Mother and dad worked side by side clearing this lot and then building a small 2 bedroom home for them and their "expected child".  Remember there was no sonograms in this day and time so they didn't know what gender this child was. But I was loved from the start. Mother said that she and grandma Hull made homemade ice cream nearly everyday , wonder why I love ice cream today!!!! Love ice cream!!!!!!!
 I wish I could paint you a picture of how quaint, laid back this life was. I don't remember troubles or stress, just plain living.  There was a row of pine trees in front of our home and that is where my grandpa would bring the candy bars to me. Hummm!!! When I was 6, I entered Fulford Elementary School, the bus would pick me up  on the corner.  School was wonderful as I remember reading and loving it so much that books became a way of life for me. When I was in the 6th grade, I was standing at the pencil sharpener and the word came over the speaker system that President Truman had fired General McArthur. I remember how I felt, sadness and despair came over me., that is all I remember of that situation. It left a lasting impression on me. The principle of the elementary school was Mr McGuire , I really liked him and one day when I was in the first grade, he came into the class and asked me  if I would go to his office and watch his twin daughters for a few minutes. He needed someone to watch them as he was babysitting them for the morning! And I did. they were adorable. When I went  to junior and high school, he also was  my  principle the whole 6 years. We were good friends but it ended when I went to college. I have fond  memories of him.
One of the things that we did each morning was to stand, cross our hearts and say the pledge of allegiance then our teacher would say a prayer. How different it is today in our schools. May God have mercy on our children.
Memories have a way of getting better with age or we forget altogether. That is the reason I am writing this blog, for the next generations. Hopefully it will be accepted as such. I love my family very much.
Thank you grandpa for listening to this little girls chatter...love you J

Wayne

Honey's brother was dx with prostate cancer. Dreaded word...cancer. But with the guidance of a skilled surgeon his cancer was removed. And to that we are thankful. Now he will have to go through the healing process and we believe that God can and will help him through this.  When one hears of the word 'cancer" dread and fear are felt within ones soul. God has the situation under His control and we  sometimes forget that. Many were at the side of his family to support them. When His son, Jesus was on the cross, He told his brother" behold your mother". I can only think that in Gods wisdom Jesus was showing us that love . How that we need to  "behold" our love ones. Thanks be to our heavenly father for His guidance to us.
Thank  you grandpa for listening to his girls chatter...love you.J Love you babe.

Nashville

Lots of things happened while we lived in Nashville.We had our first child, Windy Lynn. I was sure that I was expecting and went to see Dr. Birmingham to confirm. Honey was working at the A&P Grocery Store and he tells it so well how that as he was working I walked to the  isle where he was stocking canned goods, I said" You are going to be a father". I really cannot tell you his feelings as he keeps them to himself. I am sure he was apprehensive, fearful of the future, nervous and not sure about this father thing. I was so excited. I wanted a child. But the future wasn't as sure as we wanted it but God had us in His plans and that included our child. His plans are not always our plans but one thing is sure, if we follow Him and do as He leads nothing can fail. God has used Windy  over and over. He has placed within her the love of others. I could go on and on about our daughter but not now.
Once weekend we went to Decatur to spend it with honey's parents. His father had picked us up in his car and as we were driving, we saw a dead animal on the side of the road and he said" there is our hamburger" I started throwing up, gagging and gagging. That is how they found out I was pregnant.! They were very excited.Their first grandchild. I don't think my parents were that excited.
The car we had, a 1954 Chevrolet station wagon given to us by my dad did not have any AC or heat... we were pastoring  in Winston County, the county where honey was born and it was his mother's home church, traveling each weekend in that car was beginning tro be difficult. I was pregnant, and the cold was about all I could take. Remember I was from Florida and coldest weather was only sweater weather! Not coats and hats and gloves...boy.  So honey bought a 1957 Buick, a burnt orange and dull pink car!!! Boy what a humdinger!!! It made it for a couple of years before the next car. I think we went through cars as much as we moved!!!!lol lol
We had a great time traveling to his kinfolks church, they loaded us up with groceries and gas plus a few dollars to help us through the next week. Isn't God good!" God is so good, God is so good, God is  so good , He is good to me." That song was our testimony many times as  we pastored over the years.
Thank you grandpa for listening to this little girls chatter..Love you J

Nance Lane

During the first year that honey and I were married we moved 5 times. I think I should have know   that something wasn't kosher in our household. We or should I say honey liked to move. Granted the first time we both wanted to move due to privacy issues, the second place we ran out of money and could not afford. The third was ok but we moved to the fourth due to a newer place as I was working and money was better. But, the owner of the new apartment decided that he would go through our apt and check us out. I came home early one day and there he was, in our bedroom and looking through our drawers. I lit into him and  told him he had no right to enter and go through our things!!!! We moved about 3 doors down to an adorable little house. Wish we had bought it as the owner wanted to sell it to us for $5000. And even was going to finance it!! Were we stupid or what, we passed it up!!!! But we enjoyed living  there and I celebrated my 21st birthday.  Mom , dad  and my brothers and sisters came to Nashville to celebrate my birthday. It was a wonderful visit. In fact, Kathy my sister stayed with us and helped with caring for Windy while I worked. Kathy was the sweetest sister who loved Windy and cared well for her. I do not think I ever thanked her enough for all she did for me that summer. I was going through a very rough time. My friend Paulette had helped me to find a job at the First American Bank as a bookkeeper..I don't think I ever thanked her enough for helping me  either. Thank you my friend. But as much as I appreciated that job, it was not a job for me. I had the worst time being neat, tidy and perfect. As I am not tidy, neat or perfect..I am an altered person!!! Just check out my altered art that I do!!!! Anyway I had to work some pretty long hours and Kathy , my sister was there to help me. Kathy, I love you so much and hope that I was good to you that summer. Honey slept all day and worked at night and I worked all day and slept some of the night!!!
Any way our life was to take a change in just a few months forever leading  us on a path, sometimes going straight and sometimes we were in a rut but we kept on going. God did bless us, gave us some of the most wonderful pastorates  and some not so good. Such is life.
Thank you grandpa for listening to this little girls chatter. love you  J

First meal

When honey and I married, I told him I could cook..lol.Little did I realize how good his mother cooked and what he was used to. Brother...was I a fool.....after we found that horrible apartment that we had to go through the owners house into an old ladies bedroom (she was bedridden) can you imagine! Then had to use her bathroom in her bedroom. But what do you want for 40$ a month...but we only stayed 2 weeks, could not stand it!!!! Anyway for our first meal, i said to my self "he is from the country and I will fix black eyed peas and surprise him...Well little did I know you had to soak them and then cook for about 3 hours or more...so I put the dried peas in a pan covered with water and cooked about an hour or so, fried pork chops and they burned on the outside and red on the inside....can't remember what else I fixed but that was enough. The peas were hard as rocks and the meat not done!!! We laughed about it later but I cried and was so embarrassed. Honey just put his arms around me and said " you will get better" Well after the first year of marriage, he gained 50 pounds...lol~! I watched his mother and took lessons from her. She was an awesome cook..I will never be as good as her...But that first meal, we will never forget...it was a long time before I tried that again...I think I made sandwiches for a long time...he never complained. God bless him. I love you honey.
Thank you grandpa for listening to this little girls chatter..Love you J

The 40's and 50"s

Living in the 1940's and 50's  were  the best time of the many years that I have lived.  things were simpler.I realize that as a child a lot of things were sheltered from me but I can remember how pleasant times were. The war in the 40's took place and I remember that in 1944 or 45 ( not sure) that mother and I took a train to Anniston Alabama. My Aunt Willa Mae kept Shirley (sister) and Charles(brother) while mother and I went to see my father. He was stationed at Ft McClellan and was wanting us to move there and be with him. He really missed his family. He was the primary driver for the Fort Commander. So he was there for  awhile. As mother and I rode the train it was so full of soldiers, young men who were  very talkative, laughing and full of life. I can remember sitting on their laps, eating Hershey s Candy Bar, laughing and telling jokes...Yes all children tell jokes...Now I don't remember those jokes, but remember making those young men laugh. Which made me happy. Mother told me that they missed their children and treated me like them...I suppose it was my part in the war. We stayed for about a week or so , found an apartment and then traveled back to Miami. We packed up our car, can't remember what year it was probably a 1936 or 37 coupe. They built the back seat up with our clothes and Me, Shirley and charles would lay on top of these clothes. My grandpa, whom I loved so much was doing much of the driving.  when we had a tire to blow out. This was in Melbourne Florida. they werre retaring the road, hot, slimy and smelled of asphalt, tar  and quite nasty. the next thing I remember was rolling  over and over and over the car ended upside down and us children were on the bottom with clothes all over us...I remember screaming"I'm dead, help me" scared to death. Mother  then began to holler at us to hush as we were not dead and we would be ok. The EMS got us out and then the bad news. Where was Charles? He was about 16 months to 2 years old and  I remember searching up and down the tarry road looking for him, Then we heard a small cry and it was him..He had been thrown out of the window, rolled in the tar, broke his leg in many places. Then we were riding in the ambulance , me up front with the 2 men, that was exciting to me....mother with Charles in the back . Shirley and grandpa rode with the police to the hospital...Charles stayed for about a week and we were taken back to Miami by our family. Such a time for my mother and I do not ever remember her being upset but with courage took care of us and her injured child. She was a trooper and I loved her for that. We never moved to Alabama but Dad was released home to us.
The next few years were very profitable for my father as he started his business. Working for the oil companies had taught him that if you want to make it you have to do it on your own!!!! And he did.
His business "Service Station Maintenance" put in pumps, tanks, lifts and anything pertaining to the service station. As with the years following the war,  people began to prosper.
In 1948 we moved to our new home which I described  my bedroom earlier, it was so new that when I tried to get a passport, they could not find me in the 1950 census!!! Neither the 1940"s  but not until  I was 20 years old that I was alive according to the government!!!!!lol  HELLO! The roads in front and on the sides of our home was dirt and not until  the early 50's did they pave a road. But what a time we had. I loved that home and when we sold it a part of my life was gone...Only memories are left which are precious... will write of them on later blogs.
Well thank you grandpa for listening, I love you J

Musings today

 was musing about this blog.  It is for me to tell you of my feelings or what I thought happened in my life. Sometimes the memory isn't as great or someone else sees it differently. But  it is what it is. I was talking to honey today about our first date. As we walked back from church that night, I felt so comfortable with him as if I had know him forever. Hummmm.... we had small talk, like, when is your birthday, what are you majoring in,where do you live, etc...As he and I were walking and talking I slipped my hand in his....WHY!!! I don't know to this day why I did that except as I said, " was very comfortable with him, like an old friend" He was surprised he said and thought I was a little forward!!!! 
That is an old term you young folks!!! But he came back for a second, third and fourth date until we were old hands! We held hands again and again until later on in our courtship, like 6 or 7 months later , we got caught !As we crossed the street, honey reached out and took my arm then slid his hand to mine....oh did we ever get in  trouble!!! Dr.Chamber , the dean of Students was teaching a class and as he looked out the window , what did he see!!! Us holding hands and that was a NO NO at Trevecca...Guess who was called on the carpet and we were DORMED , which is you had to stay in your dorm except for classes and eating....until the punishment was over...can you believe that!!!! It didn't stop us, we still saw each other and held hands over and over but was careful as to who saw us!!!!!! lol Isn't that silly? Well, we made it to August of 1959 when we married....
Sounds foolish and sillyh but it was an important issue in those days. I remember when a film was shown, someone would cover the screen  with a card when hands were held and kissing as a mortal sin!!! We would laugh as students but it still was covered....We survived our first year and the second year was as married students. My parents always said I went to Trevecca to get my MRS degree. they were right.  Musing can be funny sometimes and silly.
Even today honey and I are always holding hands even in the middle of the night we will wake up and be holding hands...friends and lovers....love you babe!
Thank you grandpa for listening, I am sure you would have laughed and said "how silly" I love you J

Honeymoon

Well we are married and on our way to our life. Full of love, happiness, innocent as all get out! Hardly any money , no job, apartment, and just a 1954 Chevy station wagon that I hated with all passion but it was given to us , paid for and in great condition except NO AC or heat!!!! What were we thinking...God only knows and in His great wisdom decided to let us just do it our way...lol. Made it to Orlando on that monday night the 3rd day of our marriage. No honeymoon to speak of, spent our marriage night at the Golden Arrow Motel on Miami Beach. Honey watch the Bears play football for a little bit then we got things going! That was the extent of our honeymoon. Spent the next 2 nights with my grandmother Hull as she was by herself and had 2 extra bedrooms and begged us to stay with her. thank you grandma Hull for what you have meant to us. She was such a godly woman , quiet, not saying much  but always wanted the best for everyone.So we spent the 2 nights with her.
On to Orlando. there we stay with my best friend in high school, Vickie. She and I were such close friends while in high school  spending alot of time on the phone....Wi7-5077, then Wilson7-5077 then 747--5077 then 301-747-5077...now disconnected. My sister had it disconnected when mother passed away and the phone co was horrified as it was one of the oldest listing! As far as I know it hasn't been relisted. I hope they retired that number...Vickie and I also went to the All Night Singing Southern Gospel Concerts. Boy did we want to be a member of them...loved that music and still do. Honey and I go to Louisville to the Convention every year. Back to Orlando...lol we really had a good time with Vickie and her husband, they took us all over Orlando and not sure what else we did except talk!!!!Which we were good about doing!!!!!
Then on to Decatur Alabama to stay with honeys folks until going to Nashville to start our married life and go to college. But on the way we stopped in the valley, Lanett,Al to stay with some of his friends ( do you get the picture?  No motels, no $$$, should have taken the warning of things to come!!!!!!). They were gracious folks gave us some towels and gifts that helped us though our life.
  By the time we got to Nashville, I was worn out and tired and oh  by the way, my brother Charles, who passed away in 1974, had come with Wayne, honeys brother,  to visit as he got tired of staying with them and came with us to Nashville.....had to find  a job,an apartment that day, buy groceries and get ready for college.....and we did. Honey found a job at the Park Plaza Motel as a night auditor,found  an upstairs apt and get this, had to go through their home and through an old ladies bedroom to get to the stairs to our apt.  the bathroom was downstairs in the old ladies  bedroom...Tell me why I didn't just run to the nearest train station and flee!!!!LOVE!
Well, the mice ate our food so we moved within 2 weeks to another apt. It was in an old victorian home that was made into a duplex. Shared bathroom (Lord help me) with the couple. The old man was blind and  would hit the floor all day and night with his cane....the  lady was nice and she tried to help me with things while I was in school. That lasted for a few months...this story goes on and on. I will continue it another time...I don't think I got the picture of things to come and glad I didn't as I don't think I would have survived except the Love of God and my precious honey who tried to make it right and good for us.
Thanks for listening grandpa to this girls chatter. I love you J

Sneeze

Honey reminded me today of the day we were in chapel at Trevecca. Everyday at 11am we had to go to chapel for services. Dr. Mackey was the speaker for the day, he could be very interesting  therefore the chapel was quiet with everyone really listening to every word.  I was listening every so quietly and before I knew it I sneezed! Yes I sneezed and it was not quiet thanks to W.C. Leonard. His sneezes were booms and always in threes!!!! I froze when I realized what had just happened. Dr. Mackey just as if it was part of his sermon said"God Bless You" and continued..I was so embarrassed and honey just about died. He is and was so solemn in those days could not believe the noise. I became aware of when I needed to sneeze from that time on....
Sometimes things happen and we cannot stop them. They get bigger , louder,  as if there is nothing to stop them. When we married I was so happy, blissfully unaware of what was to come over the next few years. Would I have changed it if I had know? don't think so as that was the way things were in the 50's. Because  I am who I am and didn't really realize what I was. Only as the years have come and gone that God has made me aware of many things. Changes have been made but basically we are who we are. God made me and there is no wrong in His making.  I do not want to get philological here as it could get pretty unpleasant.!!!! Not in my doing. I love to laugh and make things pleasant. I think that is a doing of my mother. I miss my parents and nothing can change that. God rest their souls.
Now honey  he likes changes, can you tell , we moved about 23 times in our 50 years...even in our paper route he has changed the route about 5 times. Last night he did it again and I get so turned around. So afraid some one will be missed then the dreaded phone call.....yuck!!! He seems to thrive on doing things different.  Will tell about some of those changes later...I love you honey. thanks for putting up with me.
Thanks grandpa for listening to  this little girls chatter. love you  J

Etc......

Living up in the country of Alabama (Shiloh) was a trip in itself.  Remember I was raised in Miami Florida, had pretty much what I wanted ( I need to post about my car that I had as a teen!), young full of energy and we moved from the city to the country. Honey was a minister and was "following the Lords command" and I was "wither thou goest I will go" Ruth 1"16 following him.  The country was beautiful but very poor and therefore we were also. I was not used to that but got used to it in a hurry.
Our home was a 2 bedroom house that just had a bathroom installed just before we got there, the windows would come out of the frame when you opened them and little animals would roam at night in and outside of the house. One time I was hemming my dress that mother had bought me.  I felt a strange  feeling sitting in the living room by myself, as honey had already gone to bed , being Saturday night and he liked to get up early on Sunday. We didn't have the window closed as it was kinda warm and no AC. Bummer. I looked up and there was a face peering into the room and at me, when they saw me look at them they just ran away and I ran into the bedroom and made honey come into the room. That was not a good feeling, no telling how many times that had happened. Several times we noticed that something was eating our food before we were, knew it was mice. We set some traps and it was like fireworks going off at July 4th!!!! Honey tore out the wall in the LR and found there  nest. By this time we had had enough and decided to go on to greener? pastures! We had boxes packed and we were  in the living room when a "gopher" rat came charging us, honey yelled for a broom and I yelled for him to get his shoes on....Windy and I were yelling and jumping  up and down on the couch, honey was chasing (or should I say the gopher chasing him,) the gopher  around the room with a broom in his hand. The gopher tried to bite honey and got his shoe! ( boy was he glad he listened to me for one time!)  The moral of the story, don't try to bite honey,or you will die!! We moved the next day or so.  At this time we had 3 children...Windy was 2 1/2 when Vann was born and 3 1/2 when Jeff was born. That is another story!!!! There I was 24 with 3 children!!!!! It was a very hard time for all of us but God put us together and we were determined to finish to the end. Actually we never thought that there could be anything  but being together. The next "green pasture" wasn't any better except it had an air conditioner!!!!
We moved many times going always" to greener pastures" but never found them. Only the same thing and bigger!!!! Honey became one of the best ministers of the gospel. I loved to hear him preach even if no one else did! But they did. Trials of this life will be a blessing or you can make it an hindrance. It is your choice.
Thanks grandpa for listening to this little girls chatter. I love you J

Goodness!

Ever since I have started this journey my computer (brain) has not stopped working. I wake up at night thinking of things I need to write..time is fleeting. Today at the beauty shop ( had to get some beauty) , was telling Millie about the blog and started telling her of some of the things I had written and it brought to mind  a story about Windy. She was 2 years old in June of 1962, I was pregnant with her brother, Vann, hot summer time, pregnant, you get the picture and Honey was invited to give the invocation at the local high school graduation. We decided to go with him as where we lived ,there was absolutely nothing to do for  fun and I was thinking, "get me out of  here for awhile!" So away we went to the graduation. Windy was dressed up in her little dress and her frilly panties...as she was potty trained well mostly trained, and the panties were for a reminder not to soil them. So we were there and the graduation was not as short as a pregnant lady hoped to be with a 2 year old in tow. Hot, humid Alabama. Windy decided to get a little restless and I needed to go to the bathroom, so we went out. As I was walking around I commented" boy am I tired, ready to go home." DO NOT AND I REPEAT DO NOT TELL ANYTHING TO A 2 YEAR OLD!!!!! Before I could stop her she started runing to her daddy who was sitting so prim  on the platform in his suit with a solemn look on his face , got to the steps and began to crawl up them with her frilly lacy panties shinng to the whole congretation!!!  She stopped about 10 steps from her daddy, put her hands on her hips (wonder where she got that from) and said in a loud voice " daddy mother said its time to go home!"  He tried his best to get her but she just sidestepped him every so quickly...needless to say the people just  broke out in laughter and daddy got more solemn glaring at me. Oh boy what to do. He finally got her and held her until it was over. Do I need to say what followed on the way home? lol lol
If I remember correctly the next time he went to pray, we stayed home....
Windy was such a beautiful serious child. Across the road where we live (up in the country) lived twin girls and they loved to play with her. They were aspiring hair dresser, there fore loved to cut and fix her hair. They really did a good job of keeping her hair cut in a nice shape. I believe Windy enjoyed it as much as they did. When Windy played, she read books, books, books. We had no TV in those days so books became her life . My mother had sent lots of books to us  so there was a good supply. When I would get the children ready for church on sunday am I dressed her first, Vann second and then Jeff, putting her and Vann on the couch with books and Jeff in bed for a nap while I got dressed.Which  was after I had made breakfast, washed dishes, got dinner ready then did the baths. Honey was a minister of the gospel and we were his helpers. So we were there regardless of what mood, condition of our body's or any other thing to hinder us from the house of God. !!!! He would go early to the church to meditate then come and gather Windy and Vann which left me to a few minutes of quiet time  with Jeff. This became a pattern over the many years we pastored. He tried to help me as much as he could . When the children grew up and left, I so missed the routine,  that I cried many times. But many years later Charles, Vann's son, came to live with us over several periods  of his young life and we got into the same pattern again. It felt good.
Time has a way of us forgetting many things that were important then but not so now. I am so thankful for a husband who loved his family and wife so much but most of all his loved his  heavenly Father, so that he could show us the way. And he did. I  love you honey.
Thanks grandpa for listening to this girls chatter love you J

Honey

I just had to post again ....found out I like this! Honey said" you like to talk so you like to write!" Smarty pants!!! I have a pic of him when he graduated from high school...love that picture! I remember in 1958, September 17th or there about, standing in line in the cafeteria my roommate turned to me and said" you see that tall skinny boy?""  Yes I said..."he wants to date you". what magic words to me as I was really homesick at that point in time and needed someone to be a friend....As the story goes, Nancy, my roommate lived at home on the weekends as she lived close to the college. Went home with her for church on Sunday came back about 2 or so in the afternoon. As we were coming in to the dorm, she asked me if I thought that "boy" would be there waiting in the lobby" as I noticed from the time that he wanted to date me, I began to see him more and more around but he didn't try to talk to me except one day. I was going into the dorm and he was there at the door , held it closed tight and said to me " all  people from Florida are going to hell!" (he was a religious fanatic LOl ). Surprised that he could talk I turned to him and said "well I guess I will take you with me!" he laughed and that was it until that fateful sunday!
I walked into the lobby that afternoon and there he was!!!! Just like I figured...walked up to him and said" want to go for a ride?" "yes" and jumped up. We rode around the block with Nancy driving, me in the middle and "him" on the outside. When we got back to the dorm Nancy turned to me and said " where are you going to church?" And just like we planned....he turned to me and said"she is going with me tonight!!!!!"  our first date was to the College Church of the Nazarene! What a night. What a thrill....MY FIRST DATE EVER!!!!!
Now after 50 plus years, he still thrills me when he looks at me, makes me happy, and we have survived what others said "will never work in a hundred years!" In Gods plan and will, we are still married not saying always pleasant (check out my blogs!) but I will love him forever. Thank you Honey for asking me out to church even though I planned it!!!!Love you sweetheart.
Thanks grandpa for listening, love youJ

laughing today

My friend , Paulette , has posted 2 videos today and I have laughed so much. It feels good to laugh. Thank you my friend.  If you are not careful life will drag you down and you will not be able to see what life is about. Happiness is in the bible. Ecclesiastes 3:4, "A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." Are we dancing and laughing yet?, hope so, don't want to weep or mourn. That has already been a part of my life. It is dancing and laughing time.  Yeah!!!!!!
Finding  something to laugh about at 3 in the morning is sometimes difficult. But I am going to try and find it and tell you...I wrote on facebook about the time we went  on an air boat ride on the St Johns river in Florida. The driver of the boat was going fast at times and then slowed down to show us some of live animals including the alligator. at one point, he  was gliding along and then stopped. About that time a gator just jumped out of the water and slid across the deck of the airboat..  like the driver had planned it which  of course he didn't. Windy and Charles, our daughter and grandson was sitting in the front and of course they just about died jumping in each others lap and I just about came out of my skin, screaming...it was so funny, the driver was about to die laughing at us....we didn't think of funny then but  later we just laughed and laughed at ourselves. I am so glad I can remember these things and write them down. Thank you God for your care.
Thank you grandpa for listening love you J

Things change in a hurry

This morning was a challenge.. honey decided to sleep a little longer, thats ok as I woke him up pretty early! Then the papers didn't come as early but thats ok as we got through on time. Then he made a statement that wasn't exactly right and of course I took issue. SHOULD HAVE KEPT MY MOUTH SHUT.....JUDY JUDY WHEN WILL YOU EVER LEARN. He thinks he is right all of the time. Hello! Not all the time ....lol. Anyway, he gave me the silent rx after the yells. But as I expected it was all over in an hour or so...but me, hummmm, I kinda hold things together  for awhile. But decided to let it go. So the day has been good. We tried to settle it again but to no avail, he still insists he is right...Is that a man thing or is it just him? Question, was it worth it to try and make my point of view? No, I think as I get older I will just walk away. He will not change, will I? Probably not! Impasse!
Well the day has been rainy , honey cut the grass, edged, showered and now is happy. Waiting on an early dinner. He will grill chicken, I have made field peas and stewed okra. He will be happy.
We have gotten into a pattern of eating early. I like that, then no heavy stomach when going to bed. I also made my mothers "famous" banana nut bread. Honey loves it , should make him happy. Keep his stomach full and he is happy. I learned that many many years ago. A man gets hungry and he is a bear. Feed him!!!!Sorry guys if you read this but this is the way it is!!!!
Christ feeds us with His word. Forget to dwell in it and you will growl like a bear also. Feed the soul.
Matt.:14:16. They need not depart; give  ye them to eat."
Grandpa, thanks for listening, I love you.J

Sundays Best with her memories

Good day today...all went smooth on the paper route. No skunks,foxes, opposum or  any other of God's creatures except one white Cadillac..it kept passing us on the street. Guess he decided that we were legit! They do that. Think we are something beside paper carriers. One man kept passing us one Sunday and finally stopped and after we rolled the window down , he saw it with newspapers. Promptly said" Oh I see what you are doing."  They think we are drunk. As we have to go on the left side of the road as much as the right side. We have been stopped 4 times by the police and then they just laugh when they realize what is going on...Oh well, at least they are doing their job. Maybe no new rookies are out there. When they realize that we are carriers then they leave us alone.
Nothing new today, slept through the morning hours. Honey got up, showered , dressed and left for church. Did I wake up...No I did not...slept until 11:30. I was really tired.  My body likes the am hours to sleep. God made me that way so I suppose He understands and lets me go on like that.  I would rather work at night, I have more energy then.
When I was a child, I would lie awake in the beautiful bedroom that my mother had decorated for us girls. Me, Shirley and Kathy. Carol was just a thought in Gods mind. My cousin, Eloise Leonard was a most talented lady. Artist, decorator and kept a beautiful home in Coral Gables. The room was painted a light yellow, 3 beds against one wall (big room) with each bedspread in a different color with the most beautiful butterflies all over. Mine was Pink, the next was green and Yellow for the last one. The drapes were just like the bedspreads, only  a lighter yellow. Our furniture was white...We were 3 very blessed girls.  BUT it was hot. Florida has beautiful weather in the winter but killer in the summer..No Air conditioning...that came later when mother had Carol. Only it was in her room and we used to play sick so we could sleep on the floor at night!!!! M other caught on and we would be  herded back to our room. It was only after I went to college that Central AC was installed. By then I had my own AC!!!!!! IN MY OWN HOUSE!!!!! I swore that I would never be hot again!!lol
Childhood memories are wonderful. I think  back now that we had a wonderful life. No worries,only had to keep the house clean ALL of the time. Sweeping, dusting and keeping  the dishes done was really all that was necessary . Mother had a housekeeper most of the time as she helped dad in his business. They worked so hard. One time dad took me with him as I kept asking him "what do you do?" So one saturday,I went with him on the job!!! They used  dynamite to dig holes through the rocks to install big gasoline tanks then pumps were installed. He was busy all of the time..It was a very scary time that saturday and I never asked again to go!!! But another time he had jury duty and I went with him. So interesting, seeing the lawyers, judges and of course the prisoners....I was so fascinated by the courthouse and all of the scurry. But that didn't make me want to be a lawyer. He kept telling me that medicine was the way to a better living. People would always be sick and I could be a help to them...how ironic, I became a nurse...Dad did good by his teachings. Enough chatter today. Thanks for listening grandpa..love you.

Honey's dr's visit

"Well I have bad news" said honey when he came home from the Dr's office today. "What is the news" I said." I am going to live a long time"!!! He was surprised that he was in such good health. I knew it and tried to tell him or encourage him in knowing he is healthy. But as the saying goes " a prophet is  without honor in his own country", as I am a registered nurse. He does not hear me or is selectively pushing out my voice...LOL!  I remember his mother Ada, had TA's , honey's father, hearing checked because he didn't hear her...Findings?  Selective hearing, he could hear!!!
I could go in a dozen different ways writing about this subject. But am leaving it alone. Just glad he is good. We are so blessed with good health thanks to our heavenly father. But any day anything could happen, so I just thank Him for today.
Glad it rained today and tonight, means we will have to double or triple bag our papers as we have some customers that freak out if one drop of water is on their paper...oh well, they are paying $$ for this paper...even though we don't get as much as they think we do!!!! I remember when I took the paper that on many occasions it was wet, I just took out of the wrap and let dry..then I would read it...what is the big deal! Well it is  about time to go out and face the paper...God be with us tonight.

Thrusday

Honey and I had to find a new doctor. Ours that we had for 14 years decided he was going to change and take only "money" patients. We are not that. We are on the government plan! lol. Across the hall from him is a Dr. that in 1991,92,93 worked with him as a resident in the MiCU. I liked him then and I believe that I am going to like him now. I can be a difficult patient at times. Sorry but I am what I am. Dad you are in me!!!! Anyway, it was just a visit to get us in the door. He takes the "government " plan.
Lunch was with honey's brother and wife. we always have a good time with them. We eat then talk,otherwise we don't visit as often as we should. We don't live as close and it is difficult to get together as we should.
Windy called today and it was so good to hear from her. She had some surgery on her eyes and can SEE for the first time...she was born with elongated eyeballs which made her vision bad. They were able to put a contact in and she can see...God be praised. Healing can be in many ways.
Honey and I have had a good day today...it is nice when things go well. I think alot of my childhood. My sister in law suggested that I print these words off for my children. Not sure that they want to hear from their mother just yet. Maybe when I am gone it will matter. It matters that I cannot call my mother and ask questions. The saying goes " wish" to hear from your love one is always on your mind. Once you are gone you are gone. Sad.
Memories are deep within your mind and as the years go by they become more real. When I was about 6 or 7 , I became sick with measles . It wasn't fun  in Florida, it is hot hot hot all the time...Mom made us stay in our bedroom  with the lights out. How i remembered how hot and stuffy it was..one night I was trying to sleep, the window was opened , I looked out the window and saw someone stealing our socks off the clothes line ( no dryers in those days but the sun!) . Mom and dad were asleep and I didn't want to wake them, so I remained quiet. Told mother the next morning and she looked out on the line and they were gone...oh well, stealing was there as now. Mother had her hands full as soon as I was well, Shirley ,my sister, and Charles, my brother took the measles also. The same thing happened with the mumps, me, Shirley and charles...Boy was my mother a trooper!!! We didn't suffer any illness from those childhood diseases. She cared for us so well. No TV's, radios or books, just lay in the bed for 10 days...boy was I glad to get outside when I could... Childhood was good for us. We played cowboy and Indians: which makes me wonder where we got the idea of that as we didn't go to the movies. Our church would not let us go. One time after dad went into the service in 1945, mom and I went with our aunt Elsie  to see a movie at the drive in...which was literally a drive in...outside theater. You only see those in small towns across America now. What a lost art. We had to pledge secrecy so that dad wouldn't know..HAhaha..he never did as far as I know. Didn't go to the movies again. The first time as an adult was in Las Cruses with my daughter and several ladies from the church to see "Gone With the Wind". How marvelous was that movie. Now my favorite.
I need to close this segment. No nonsense .... just chatter...lol thanks grandpa for listening!!! Love you forever.

'Wednesday

Today is what they call "hump day". Just a hump to the weekend...Well it doesn't matter whether it is "hump day" or "TGIF" we do the same thing, get up at 1am, get dressed,grab some sandwiches and away we go. Deliver those papers that folks have a fettish about. One lady will call is there is a certain crease in the paper, if there is a spot of water, if it is in the driveway or if it is in the grass...give me a break. It is just a paper..Hello!!!
I do enjoy our time together in the car, quiet, not quite as hot as the day time; we just make the necessary turns and throw those papers. Sometimes  I hit the window frame and honey says"Judy hit the driveway not the window"!! we laugh and sometimes we don't! According to the mood I am in. Then in the next few throws honey will do the same thing and then we really laugh. Why can't we laugh more often about things that happen. I have always tried to laugh more at things  but honey not so much. I think that laughing releases those stresses that take us to low times.
Honey and I have  had some low times in the last year. Our son ,Vann, his life taken so suddenly.  Do we laugh then. Not much. But Vann was such a cut up, loved jokes, always telling them . Some not so "clean" but non the less not withstanding he had a sense of humor. I can see his smile that God put on his face 47 years ago when he was given to us to raise and show the way to our heavenly Father.  Like I have said before, he said"mom I am right with God, don't worry". I miss you Vann.
Honey misses him more than he acknowledges. I sometimes try to help him  to overcome the sadness but it isn't easy. Honey is just a very private and quiet person.
Well in a few hours we will repeat the process that has been our savior to living. God has been good to us and we depend on Him so much.  Be with us heavenly Father as we drive the roads this am.
Amen.

This morning

This morning Windell and I had  a good time at work. It was cooler, seemed that our route went smoothly and that isn't the case always. Life is that way, we have those times when we feel good, the cake turns out well, the weather is nice, you get my drift...but then the days when we miss a paper and the phone rings and the person on the other end says" are you a carrier?"  I want to scream NO NO  NO. But I say "yes".
I remember when one day my heart was touched by the voice of God. I was seven,living in Uleta Florida. We had in those days  the 1940's, 50's ,  Vacation Bible School in the day and revival at night. Rev Paul Johnson was the speaker at night. His message  included an illustration that touched my heart forever. He took a ball and started winding twine around it while saying"  when you lie,cheat, not accept Christ as your personal Savior , Satan will wrap himself tighter and tighter around your life." All the time winding the twine around the ball, it became so big and I could feel the tightness of sin in my life. I called out to God in a childlike voice and asked for forgiveness. He answered that call . God  has been faithful to me although there has been times I know I haven't followed Him as I should, asking for forgiveness and receiving that forgiveness. 1st John 1:7..."But if we walk in the light , as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." My first bible verse memorized to my heart.
Life has not always been fair but who said it would. But God has been " the fairest of ten thousand to my soul" Amen.