one year.

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Assisi, Italy

Where were you a year ago on this day?

Do you remember?

What were you doing?

Were you alone or with others?

What was the weather?

What were you wearing?

Where did you eat?

Do you remember?

(And “Only if it was the 21st night of September,” does not count as an answer!)

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It is good to remember….

“3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 thankful for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel thus about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Philippians 1:3-11

Today is a day I could tell you

all of those details

and more.

(A lucky penny I found this morning reminded me of that.)

But to sum it all up I would simply say,

“We were thirsty…

(I promise if you click on the link above you shall discover more!)

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Just a tiny hint…

The penny reminded me I’d made a promise and today is the perfect day to make good!

May this video mark a Special Year behind you and may the glow of their love be a promissory sign of the splendid days to come, and may you remember them for a lifetime!

hugs n’ blessings to my favorite sister/video expert for walking me through the complexities of video-making!

AND

a hug n’ blessing for you, as well, if you could remember your ‘one year ago day’ too!!!

 

**the aprons were made from old dresses and costumes and pieces of such throughout my darling daughter’s childhood, stitched now together for others to have a small reminder of her in their possession.  It was a joy for me to reminisce over every one as they were deconstructed…her girl scout uniform, first party dress, favorite church dress, dorthy costume…and to watch them each find a new heart & home to be cherished in. Thank you to all who so tenderly chose one & shared such a special day with us.

road-tripping with flat-gayle (who turned golden this year!)

it’s the monday giggles:

i took one of my bff’s on a birthday-road trip to VA with me this past weekend,

(well…kind-of.)

On the road with the birthday girl!
On the road with the birthday girl! (So far this is the oldest she has ever been.)

she turned fifty and that’s gettin’ old,

(well…kind-of.)

Coffee to increase stamina for the trip ahead!
Coffee to increase stamina for the trip ahead! (Coffee is nice…but cake frosting would be better.)

Potty-stops become important at a golden age.
Potty-stops become important at a golden age! (One step closer to adult underpants.)

if anyone else wants a similar birthday-treat I promise it’s lots of fun,

(well..kind of.)

Birthday Camel Ride!
A Birthday Camel Ride! (and it wasn’t even Wednseday.)

A birthday dinner Fiesta!
A birthday dinner Fiesta! (Because hot flashes are just your inner child playing with matches.)

A Mama-riding-llama!
A birthday-Mama riding-llama!

Feeding the llama hAy??
Feeding the llama 50 shades of hay???

Everyone knows...llamas eat tots!!
Everyone knows…llamas eat tots!

Just a friendly reminder...you are now older than dirt!
Just a friendly reminder…you are now older than dirt!

Because At 50 you need a daily dose of iron!
Because at 50 you need a daily dose of iron!

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A good LAUGH & a long sleep are the best cures in the world! (And tonight I fell asleep with you in my heart!)

I know there were no presents

and no ice cream & cake,

but… AT LEAST this trip WAS WRAPPED IN LOTS OF LOVE with A SLICE OF HUGS AND SCOOPS OF BLESSINGS,

(and I think that’s kind-of neat!)

Thanking God for this birthday-road-trip with my bff!
Thanking God for this birthday-road-trip with my bff!

hugs n’ blessings with hopes it doesn’t take another 50 before we go on our next road-trip together!

You are only young once, but you can be immature for a lifetime!

John P. Grier

Dear Friend, I'm sorry if this was a little
Dear FLAT-GAYLE,
I’m sorry if this was a little “cheesy,” but I hope it made you smile! (While you still have teeth, lol!)

baby girl! (i dream of you.)

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Abigail (noun) – ab·i·gail \ˈa-bə-ˌgāl\

Abigail is a female given name. The name comes from the Hebrew name אֲבִיגַיִל / אֲבִיגָיִל Avigail, meaning “my father’s joy” (alternatively “my father rejoices”, or “my father is joy”).  The intelligent, beautiful Abigail was Old Testament King David’s third wife, described as ‘good in discretion and beautiful in form.’

The name Abigail is also English, AB-i-gayl and German, AH-bee-giel.  As an American baby name the meaning of the name Abigail is: “The father’s joy.”

The name Abigail can be shortened to “Abby”, “Abbey”, “Abbi”, “Abbie”, “Abbe”, “Abi”, “Abbye”, “Abs”, or “Aby”, as well as “Gail” or “Gayle.”

People with this name have a deep inner desire for love and companionship, and want to work with others to achieve peace and harmony. People with this name are dynamic, visionary and versatile, able to make constructive use of freedom. They tend to be optimistic, energetic, intelligent, and to make friends easily. They may be resistant to change, and become restless or  rebellious when asked to do so.  A super-sweet girl she will probably be extremely gorgeous and certainly tons of fun once she is comfortable in your presence. When you meet one you will want to be a huge part of her life; but you would have to be very lucky for it to happen!  An Abigail will stay on your mind forever so you will know when you meet one.

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Photo Courtesy of Jared Schaaf Photography

Abby is a kind, cute, and loving girl. An “Abby” typically has brown hair, but sometimes it can be red. They often prefer to be in the background, but once you get to know them they are fun, talkative, and wild. Most of the time they are athletic, champions for the down-trodden, and enjoy music. A lot of people say that Abby’s are very authentic and are confident in their own skin; even though they shy away from sharing their heart until they feel the other is trustworthy.  Most people around them like them, but only a certain amount will see their crazy, out of control side!

Abby’s can make great girlfriends because they’re caring, sincere, fun, exciting and enjoy a diverse group of personalities; but usually have one certain boy that they have given their heart to. Usually they will go for the fun, athletic, sweet, loving boys who have a great smile! They LOVE to get hugs, from anyone…but especially their man!!

As a friend, you can always count on her to go crazy with you, care about you, listen, and keep your secrets. If you meet one, don’t let her go because she will be a great friend for life!

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Also, Ab-bees love to laugh and eat…especially with those they hold dear!!

“What I wanted most for my daughter was that she be able to soar confidently in her own sky, whatever that may be.”   Helen Claes

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these hugs n’ blessings are just for you today!  

(and until the dawn of the day bright and new…)

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Photo Courtesy of Jared Schaaf Photography

Music by: JJ Heller