Sunday...

Big sigh....okay we are all tired around here today and I have insomnia or else....
I wouldn't even be doing this and I would be in a nice warm bed.

But I will do a quick "update".....I especially want to say a BIG "Thank you" to everyone who has called or written me either on here or by
e-mail. We appreciate your concern and prayers. It means so much to us!

Today I took Ariel to the E.R. because she "thought" she could get through last night and be fine today which wasn't the case. Which my husband and I knew would happen.

Long story short....she of course has "Severe neck strain and back strain and brusing." She is in a lot of pain and has been in bed ever since we got home from the Emergency Room...only semi-sitting up for me to give her drinks of water.
That's it.

Oh and they put a "neck brace" thing on her and she and I cracked up laughing at how funny it looked and how they told her she had to "move her entire body" when she wanted to look around or whatever.

"The Italian boy"....who was her date....has the exact same thing..and has a hurt knee as well. His Mother took him in as well earlier.
Poor thing..then her oldest daughter went into labor today and now they are ALL at the hospital AGAIN....no rest for the weary but at LEAST this is for happy reasons! She will get a Grand baby out of this trip at least! HA!

But his family and ours are VERY thankful that they are only dealing with these issues and that we aren't vising our kids in the hospital ICU or worse even.
If you know what I am saying.

The lady at the E.R. told Ariel and I that she was "very fortunate" because many people are killed when they are hit on the Interstate at such a high impact as they were hit.

AS far as the young man who was the cause of the accident.......

He was formally charged last night.....with "SECOND offense DWI" AND he already has
"8 OUTSTANDING Bench Warrants" for his arrest that were standing.....so the officer that I spoke to at "Parish Prison" what we call Jail here....told me he is considered a "fugitive from justice" and he HAS to appear before a Judge who will set his "Bail"......and that the boy will have to pay for all his warrants and bail before he can get out.

I am wondering how his little girlfriend is today and if she is hurting and if she got some help. I don't feel I can call her Mother.
My kids don't know her...but she goes to their school. Hopefully....she's going to be okay and hopefully....she will "wake up" before she is hurt anymore.

As far as the boy goes...I don't know his story and we have only heard not so great things..but he is someones child and for me as a Mother...that makes me sad.
I hope he can get some help.

What does upset me is the fact that NOW he has TWO DWI's and he didn't "get it" after the first one and with 8 "outstanding bench warrants" for his arrest......there seems to be a problem and a pattern.
And he hit my kids. Urrrrr!

This is the SAME thing that is going on with the other young man from New Orleans that was DWI that hit my husband and son Luke two years ago. This kid had 14 Felony counts against him last we heard, and hadn't appeared in court for any of the THREE court dates my husband went to. WE STILL are not finished with that ordeal. And that boy STILL has not been sentenced in that accident either.
But at least he told my husband at the scene that "he was sorry."

This boy last night was mean, and hateful, and nasty. He was so combative and he shouted out something VERY evil to me before he was put in the police car which I didn't even understand at first....then I got it.
That right there showed me how demonic this situation was.

I'll tell you about it later.

What a mess thought to have to go into another process with a drunk driver.

Miss Priss and "The Italian boy" are going to be okay eventually.....achy and out of school for a few days but they have parents and families that love them and are standing with them in their trial.

I'm not sure about these other two kids....there seems to be a world of hurt going on in their lives for whatever the reasons.

But that still gives them no right to be so selfish and hurt others in their process of their own "self destruction"....

But that seems to be the way it works many times doesn't it?

Goodnight.

Prom Tragedy Diverted.......

It's 2:40am and I can't sleep so thought I would just give you a few tiny details until tomorrow sometime. More photos later too.

Luke and Mom....

Not maybe 35 minutes after we left our daughter's date's Mama's house.....we got a call from her and I could tell by the way she said......"Mama" what had happened. I just KNEW it!! They'd been hit by a car and I knew the person had been drunk. I just could feel it.

I let her tell me as my heart was sinking....and as my husband and I scrambled to leave the restaurant we had gone to on a date...our food had just arrived and we had begun eating it when her phone call came and she told me.....


"That they had been hit by a DRUNK DRIVER on the interstate as they were exiting off to go eat with a group of friends."

She told me that this kid that hit them had been "drinking all day" and had bragged to others about it. The driver of that car is a 22 year old guy....... someone my daughter and her date didn't know at all.....but someone apparently "invited" his 16 year old date to come eat with the group of kids that were going to the restaurant that my daughter and her date were going to.

There was to be a group of nearly 20 kids and someone had invited that young girl and her boyfriend. The kids were ALL in separate vehicles. My daughter and her boyfriend were sandwiched in between the drunk kid and some other cars driving in his Mama's Ford Explorer, which was a good thing ...as they approached an exit off of the interstate.

That's when that boy came up on them so fast and then tried to slam on his brakes...our boy saw this and veered off to the shoulder because he knew they would be thrown into the car ahead of them and even though they got out of the lane it was too late....that kid had stopped so hard he lost control of his Yukon and spun at our kids car and rear ended them with the entire SIDE of his Yukon.....crashing out their back door and busting out the back window and sending them flying still. Hit their heads in their car, snapping their necks and being thrown about.
Thank GOD for seat belts.

I'll try to explain more....tomorrow when I can think clearer.

Tonight we found out that this boy was booked into "Parish Prison" which is what we call "JAIL" here.......on his SECOND count of DWI.....and he was "wanted as a fugitive" for a different warrant out for his arrest.

Do you think I am mad or what? Oh yeah.....I have a bit of stuff to vent out......but I have pretty much worked it out.

What I am though...overwhelmingly, is GRATEFUL.....and THANKFUL......and APPRECIATIVE to God for protecting our baby girl and her little boyfriend...who is a very tender hearted young man and we like him alot.

His Mama, along with his older sister and her boyfriend had beat us to the scene and so had our middle son Caleb and one of his friends so thankfully we had some "support" there for us and our kids.

Before we left this scene.....both of our kids cried and cried. My husband embraced them both and let them weep. Because they both were so traumatized by what had happened and by the stuff the belligerent drunken kid was yelling at us all.

The policeman didn't put him in the police car until the very end (over an hour of standing outside with this going on) so it left everyone wide open for this kids bad attitude to continue to spew out.

IT is maddening when someone else.....nearly takes your kids out of this world by their own selfishness and foolishness and when they are not the LEAST bit remorseful for doing so.

This boy was not sorry for his actions I promise you. He exhibited that to me at one point......and proceeded to call me out and cuss at me and use his favorite word... that must be most of his main vocabulary I guess.......the infamous "F" word.

It was a long saga and very emotional.....and it's not over. Miss Priss and her date are hurting big time now....and will be going to go get checked out tomorrow.

Two years ago.....our son Luke and my husband were hit by a drunk driver from New Orleans that had ran a red light and plowed into them. Three more feet and Luke would not be with us tonight.
This was another young guy in his 20's......just doing his own thing. He's never come to trail on this yet and besides this accident....he has 14 counts of "felonies" against him.

Oh yea, I am mad.
Because I hate this sick feeling in my stomach....and I hate it when people think they can infringe their bad behavior on my family..... And nearly kill them.

But it wasn't their "time" to go.......and we know this.....because we had prayed tonight for God's divine protection over all our children...and their dates with them.
And it took place. And we are BLESSED and this isn't going to rob our joy or our kids night.......it's robbing my sleep a bit.....but that isn't much considering that I will sleeping "in late" tomorrow in my cozy bed......while that boy is trying to sleep in Parish Prison.

One question.

Where are those kids parents???? They didn't even call their parents the entire time we were all waiting there. Do they know what happened? I guess they will hear someway.
The young girl was taken home by a police officer. What is to become of that little thing?
God have mercy. Because like I told that boy....."I'm a merciful person....but you have NONE of my mercy right now for what you nearly did to my daughter and her boyfriend.....you had NO right to drive drunk and hit them."

To which I got the ......"F you, F, you" over and over and and him coming after me like he was going to punch me or something......to which I then reminded him......."you are going to jail tonight buddy...." and he was dead set that he wasn't. He really believed he was not going to jail. And I told him......"oh yes you are man and you will be staying ALL NIGHT."This ticked him off but I could tell he didn't believe it at all.

I got more profanity out of that...but.......what do you expect. That boy was in bad shape and I couldn't help looking at his face and wondering what his story was......why did he have so much pain in his life? He was lost as a goose in a snowstorm and his eyes told many tales.....he was absolutely tormented.

I don't know who he is....only his name.....I don't know what his issues are...but for now I will pray for him.

Once the officer started to put him in the police car......he yelled something evil and hateful over the police car and my Son and Ariel's date went crazy and charged over to the police car to get at him.....but fortunate for them he was already shoved into the back seat of the police car.....so that was a good thing.

This is how I know he wasn't sorry, amongst other things......I'll tell you what he said tomorrow.
It's time to try to sleep now. If I can.
More photos and news tomorrow.....

I needed this tonight.......

The last few days my husband and I have been on one of life's "emotional roller coaster" of sorts. It's not anything I feel I can express right now, but trust me.....it's been a tad upsetting.

What I can tell you though, is that we have "peace."

Which is a good thing believe me....when you have peace....you've got alot.

Not related to any of that ..."Miss Priss" just left to go spend the night at her BFF's house so that they could have some "girl time" before they start to prepare probably all day long for tomorrow nights "Junior/Senior Prom."

That was something to watch her go out the door, sniff, sniff, with all her Prom attire and bags of makeup and stuff she needs to get "fixed up"....ugh. Sad.
Our sweet baby girl is growing up. :~(
It's okay though....that's how life works.

We will catch back up with her tomorrow in order to take photos of her and her date
"The Italian" at his family's house, then run back home to take photos of our son and his date at OUR house. Yikes!
Photos will be forthcoming. HA!

I came into the office after she left and...tired as I am, thought I would just catch up on a couple of blogs I've been missing checking in on this week. I heard a song randomly playing on Ms. Charlotte's blog....I'd never heard it before but recognized the singer....and it was "Michael W. Smith," his voice is so recognizable.
Not to mention, I LOVE Michael W. Smith's music.

It always is encouraging and uplifting no matter who you are.

OF COURSE, I then decided to look up that song on U-Tube....and upon watching it, it absolutely went deep into my spirit and soothed me. Not that I am in distress because I'm not, but it doesn't hurt to allow some "healing balm" such as this to be applied every to yourself ever once in a while.

Sometimes you just get tired....in body, mind and soul.
I needed this.
I thought....some of you may need it as well.

Plus...IF you like Bagpipes(like I do).....you might want to check out his "This Is Your Time" video....you'll love the lyrics.
This video will impact you.

It's a tribute to "Cassie Bernall" who was murdered in the Columbine Massacre.
Ummm......you might want to grab a kleenex (or two or three) before you watch it.

Stiches-for-Tea

April 6 - April 12
Stitches-for-Tea
This week the "Gracious Hospitality" TEA BLOG-A-THON is focusing on "Sharing any kind of stitching that is somehow related to "Tea." May it be...."sewing, embroidery, knitting, crochet, tatting, quilting, etc." Just as long as it is "hand done" rather than factory made.

I along with many women all over the world have a nice, little "horde of antique and semi-antique linens" of all types.

Especially in the realm of doilies, dresser runners, potholders, crocheted table covers, pillowcases, etc...

Things my GreatGrandmother, My Grandmother's, my Mother, had made.....some items my Great, Great Aunt Rosa from Louisiana Mo. made before she died.

She had donated them to be sold at the church Bazaar at her Baptist church and my Great Aunt on my other side went to the same church. Once she saw the few things "Aunt Rosa" had made there, she "snatched" them up at the and sent themm to me with a typewritten note that said....."She does great work to be almost 90 years old."
That was when I was first married.

Things like that are PRICELESS to me now.

But most of those things I own don't have "Tea pots or Tea Cups" of any sort on them......

However I do have this one special thing.

My Step Mother who lives in Illinois, had her friend "Judy" who does beautiful "Needlepoint" work.....make me this cute piece of needlepoint last year for Christmas.

Once Judy was finished, they traveled across the river to my hometown of Hannibal Missouri, where there is this wonderful quilt/craft store called the "Hickory Stick".

They do custom framing as well and she had it framed to size.

The really neat thing about this Needlepoint piece is that it has "Tea Charms" added to it in between the letters.....there are 7 of them.

Two different Teapots, a Clock, a Spoon, a Teabag, a Teacup and Saucer, and a Sugar bowl.

I was THRILLED when I opened it for Christmas. It is SO cute and unique and it is now another "special handmade memory."

I have it in my office where it serves as a constant reminder to me that it is always......
"TEA TIME!"

Saturday Surprise!

(sorry the camera did weird things to my shirt)


I was sitting at my computer this morning having a bit of a good breakfast...
WHOOPS....I meant this...and writing an e-mail to Julie at "Celtic Lady" when my front doorbell rang.

I could see the mailman's truck outside on the street so I knew it had to be a package...but I was baffled as to what he could be bringing since since I haven't ordered anything online lately.

Once opening the door.....I see it is a package from "K.J."
at "Eye-dyllic." Who is all the way in sunny Southern California.
She's cute isn't she? This is her and her little boy.

She had written me the other day to tell me she was sending me a package but it sure came faster than I expected....it was a "Priority box."
So I peeked into it......CUUUTE!..."pink styrofoam peanuts" and whatever the "precious cargo" is...it's wrapped in brown tissue paper. Cool....I love pink and brown together.

Hummmm.....so I unwrap the "surprise" and "WOW"K.J. has been reading my posts and remembered that I said earlier that...."I love paper napkins" and did she EVER send me some cute ones...and several packages of them.
Okay, so we have a total of SIX packages of various cute paper napkins....a nice cello package of tea tied with a neat black ribbon...a COASTER...

This I am loving this because did you notice earlier what I sit my tea mug on?
A paper napkin.

I do this every day when working at my desk...I always put my teacup and saucer or tea mug on one.... odd habit I know but it catches any "drips." HA!

Now however, I can use this sweet little coaster.
Great ideal K.J.!!!
And last but not least....a package of "sticky notes"....I am into sticky notes too and there is NO way she could have known this!

These are SPECIAL ones too because they say....."This Pad has been Clinicially Proven to prevent senior moments.....not to be taken internally!" HA~HA!

Funnny.......hey wait a minute....K.J. how old do you think I am?? I mean I am only..ummm..ummm..never mind I forgot how old I am...HA! Not really I'm just joking I'm 29 as usual. HA!

My friend always says that. She wrote this in a book she gave me one year for my birthday....."Happy Birthday to Joyce on her 29th birthday!"

Boy did it ever feel like my birthday today...

Isn't it GRAND to get a package in the mail for no apparent reason other than someone very sweet, and KIND, is thinking of you and takes the
"time, effort and expense" just to
BLESS YOU??


Thank you K.J...your awesome!

This was me.......

"Hope ever tells us tomorrow will be better."
- Tibullus-

This was me yesterday....very weak, in severe pain, achy all over....and swollen ~UGH~
Regardless of the fact that even after "upping" all that I could med wise...
I still wasn't much better all the way until late evening.

I laid in bed most of the day and read "Jane Eyre" which helped me progress through it nicely. I usually just read a bit of whatever book I am in at the moment each night.

The humidity was (and still is) WAY up and the weather was gloomy and bad for the most part of the day. Which probably was why I was the way I was......today is a bit better for me but the humidity is still very high.

When I finally got out of bed today I had a phone call on my answering machine from a lady calling from a "research" group asking to talk to me.
I apparently have been "referred" by my R.A. Specialist to "participate in a group study on Biological drugs for
Rheumatoid Arthritis."
I haven't called them back yet because I need to think and pray on this one a bit.

Yet on these types of days I want to scream......"yes, give me whatever you got."
I really just want to be healed and finally "fixed" of this you know? And get my normal life back.

I haven't said much about it all lately because I feel so fortunate really......
Because I am not always like this and so many other people have such worse battles than I do.

In some ways though I feel I need to use my voice to helpraise awareness to this thing because so many others, including children suffer with it....yet in other ways....
I don't want it to have any "glory."
Not in my life at least.

I was at a dinner the other night with some ladies and two of them just happen to do volunter work with a "R.A. summer camp for children" here in our local area.

They were telling me of several very sad cases of children with this debilitating disease. They spoke of a TWO year old that has just been diagnosed. I was so sad to hear that.
I mean it's one thing to be an adult and it's another to be a small child that can't even communicate. That grieves my heart because I have and do feel the pain involved I wouldn't want a child to have to deal with it.

Health woes are not fun. But I haven't given up hope.
Winston Churchill:
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity.
The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."

I'm believing for the best.......not just for me.
But also for all of you and yours...... no matter WHAT your battle may be.

Don't give up hoping.

"Decor~a~ TEA"........March 30 ~ April 5

I'm going to continue along with the ladies who are in uniting along with
Ms. "La Tea Dah" and her "Gracious Hospitality" "Blog a Thon" this week.

This weeks assignment is basically to exhibit and show examples of how one might use "Tea related items in your decor."
I will be showing just a few examples of mine.

Starting off in my office.....
I usually keep this Tea set up on a shelf for display but thought I would bring it down to show you. It was called a "Museum reproduction" that I bought a few years ago. I not sure what if was "reproduced" after but I liked it. On the tops of the lids....for handles are roses with stems. Cute.

This is a special "Tea Shelf" I designed and had my husband build for me several years back. I then stained it and painted it.
It's just the perfect size for holding Teapots and Teacups and other odd Tea related items.

It's not really deep nor wide so it fits into our hallway very nicely.
A few years ago I saw this old copper Teapot at a flea market for a little bit of nothing so I bought it and wondered...."What can I do with this??" My sister suggested that I have a floral arrangement put into it. So I did. I took it to the florist and picked out what I wanted and they went to work and I've had it on top of my little Tea Shelf ever since.

I was given this Tea Cup Picture years ago by friends when we were moving out of town and it has been a very precious memory to me.

Sadly though I hadn't been displaying for several years now because the matting was in a "mauve" and that color as well as "pinks" and "country blues" have been "OUT" decor wise down here for several years now.
So I had stuffed it somewhere and just came across it again a few weeks ago.

I recently took to be "re-matted" in something a bit updated and I just got it back the other day and I love the new look of it. It's still beautiful and fits in color wise once more.
The saying under the Tea Cup is this........
"Times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" Acts 3:19
I believe that to be true. So it is a beautiful reminder.

I'm glad to have that special Tea Cup picture back on display.
I had another one re-matted at the same time but we will save some of the other things I have for another days chat because I didn't even go into my bedroom which is FULL of Tea Decor things......I LOVE this stuff.
Can you tell?

Thanks for coming to visit!
Leave a comment and I will come to see you as well.
Cheers!