THE BITTER - and THE SWEET

It seems more and more that 24 hours in 7 days is just not enough time any more.  Do the rest of you have this issue?  Or is it just us?

This last week-end was certainly one of these times for us.

THE SWEET - our excitement and involvement with Thanksgiving at the Glass Veranda set up by our daughter, Jacque; lots of family time; Marc's new house; involvement in the move and set-up; and a special evening spent with 23 of us going to ride the Christmas Train at Willie George's Dry Gulch. (which is about an hour from our church in our new this year people mover). Then of course Sunday small group and church and then out to Marc's where all the family gathered once again.  It was all wonderful, rewarding and a blessing

THE BITTER - #1 - Because of all the above we were unable to have the joy and pleasure of getting to spend at least a 1/2 hour or so with my wonderful blog friend, Ginger, and her husband, Dave, as they traveled back to their home from visiting their daughters in TX and were within 12 miles of our home :o)  We had been hoping to do this for several months and missed the opportunity of meeting on their way down on Tuesday because Ginger got to feeling bad and then on the return on Saturday we were already committed with our Church small group outing.  We had met these 2 about 2 years ago, and even though it was short it was so sweet.  We are still hoping for another chance in the coming years.  

THE BITTER #2 - Since we went out to Owasso and the family gathering right after church we missed a phone call from another blog friend, Lisa, and her husband who live in TX.  They have been on vacation and called us from Joplin and were heading our way as they were heading home and hoped to meet up with us.  We had also had the pleasure of meeting them, and their 3 lovely daughters, a couple of years ago.  So sorry we missed this second opportunity.

I know God has His perfect timing and plans and I hope my future includes getting together sometime with both of these two dear blog friends.

ANOTHER BITTER - I am having trouble leaving comments on some of the blogs I read.  If I read your blog I always want to leave a comment to let you know I've done so and how I've enjoyed the read.  Just recently I cannot leave comments on all of them.  IF your blog does not read as follows regarding comments:  CHOSE AN IDENTITY and then shows Susan(GoogleAcc) Sign Out.

If it shows:  CHOOSE AN IDENTITY and then has a drop down box, but doesn't give me any choice I cannot leave a comment.  I don't know if the problem is on my end or the sending blog.  If I need to do something on my end to clear this up and any one knows what I'd love to know.

Just wanted to explain why quite a few of you, who know I left comments, are not hearing from me any more.  I decided to post this here in an effort to clear up the problem if I can.  

HAPPY BLOGGING AND HAPPY COMMENTING!!!

  

MOVING DAY - The Work Begins

The long awaited day has finally arrived.  At 9 a.m. on Friday, November 25th the movers arrive at the storage building where many of Marc's items have been living for the past 14 months.  Marc & I run errands picking up shelf paper, etc. and return to the apartment, where Aric has been waiting, just in time to receive the call that the storage is now packed and the movers are heading for the new house.  Marc & Aric and the dog leave for the new house.  The cat & I remain at the apartment & I pack up the last boxes of kitchen items. 

After unloading all the items from the storage to the house, which included the refrigerator, and washer & dryer the movers took a lunch break.  Marc & Mickey return to the apartment but leave Aric & the dog at the house, so the dog can become familiar with her new surroundings.

The movers return, after their lunch, and load up all the apartment items and all of us, except the cat who we leave at the apartment, head for the new house.  The cat ran away once since they've been at the apartment and Marc was so worried about that not happening during this move.

 Backing up the moving truck into the drive way for unloading of the apartment items.

The moving crew.  Why are moving guys always skinny?!!  But they got the job done in 4 and 1/4 hour and did a good job.

 Marc has kept very few items and is going to be buying new furniture.  Two side chairs, the antique chair he just bought at the auction last week, a flower vase and an old antique check printer sitting on the mantle.  Can't remember what Aric was plugging in.  Probably checking out some connection for one of his games.

 This is my fathers old antique solid oak desk and chair that I had given Marc when we sold our big home in 1997 when Mickey retired and we went on the road in our RV. 

 The desk alcove that I did not have a picture of in yesterday's post.

 An old Antique chest that had belonged to Aric other grandmother and Marc has been keeping for her. 

 The tiny little breakfast set that they had in the other house looks so small in this huge dining room but will do until he gets large new dining furniture. The chair in the corner, which you can hardly see, is the other antique chair Marc bought at the auction.

 Three concrete acorns and bench that will be placed in the yard somewhere.

My job was lining all the kitchen cabinets and shelves, all the pantry shelves, and try to get a few dish items in place so they can manage until all the boxes get unpacked and everything fnds a home. 

We worked 12 hours on Friday and we were all bushed.  We did take time out and had a lovely meal mid-afternoon at Olive Garden. 

Saturday we worked from 10 to 2 but had to leave because we had tickets to go to Dry Gulch and ride the Christmas Parade and have dinner with our small group.  We left the church at 4 and didn't get home until 10:30.  We were 2 tired puppies.

We'll go back some time next week and get the laundry (which has cabinets on both side), linen closet, and both bathrooms cabinets lined and done, 

Sunday the whole family came out in the afternoon:  Jacque, Benny, Dave, Mickey & I. 

What a wonderful time of rejoicing over this blessing for Marc & Aric.  I love my family and I am so thankful we get to share in so much together - the happy & the sad.  God is so good to us.

 

NOVEMBER 23, 2011 - Closing Day of Marc's New Home

Marc's New Home

Front Room looking into the Dining Room with the bar area of the kitchen cabinets.

Dining Room with door opening onto patio.

Kitchen view from Dining Room looking toward Pantry (with etched glass door) and Laundry (with door open).  The laundry opens onto the 3 car garage.  Stainless steel sicks and dishwasher, granite counter tops, ceramic tile backspashes and open above sink into the Living Room and Dining Room.

Kitchen view from pantry door looking to Dining Room with stainless steal & black gas range with microwave above.

The house is 4 bedroom with 2 bedrooms and master bath on the East -  Master Bedroom

Master Bath - the large tub is across from the lower sink.  Large walk-in closets.

The 2nd large East Bedroom which Marc is going to use as his office/game room.

Another view of the Living Room looking toward the large entry (there is another window right of the door that I did not get into the picture)  The small alcove to the right contains a small built-in desk with cabinet above.

The other 2 bedrooms are on the west side of the house and are identical in size.  This wing of the house will be Aric's.  The one toward the back of the house will be his bedroom and the one to the front will be his game room.

The main bath which will be Aric's.

Back view - To the left of the patio with the 2 separate windows is Marc's Master Bedroom.

Covered patio area opening off the dining room and backing up to the living room.  Double windows to the right is Aric's Bedroom.

Since these pictures were taken the contract called for installation of a wooden privacy fence on the right side and back, connecting to the post and wire fence to the left.

Yes, the closing of this lovely home was something very special for all of us to celebrate on Thanksgiving the following day!

FINALLY

I know we all have those "finally" culminations of things in our lives.  Something you've waited, and waited, and waited for. 

Our family has just experienced a "finally"!!!!  Marc's Tulsa house has been on the market for 21 months, yes 21 months, (making house payments on it plus renting an apartment for all those months so Aric could attend school in Owasso) and 3, yes 3, contracts (2 fell through at the last minute) but it finally closed Wednesday afternoon, November 23rd.

 1 hour later he FINALLY closed on this beautiful new home in Owasso. Let me tell you, Wednesday was one happy day for all of us. 

 This was taken several months ago, while the 4 of us were having brunch, after Marc had taken Mickey & I to look at the beautiful new home he was going to make an offer on.

 This was taken a few days later, when we were over at the Tulsa home moving some more things and he was getting a counter offer on the new home.

 Mickey (dad) sitting across the table from him with pure joy as he watches Marc calculating all the costs and figures!!!

The Tulsa house that Marc owned for 11 1/2 years.

Mickey & I are meeting Marc, Aric and the movers at 9 a.m. in the morning and all their furniture will be moved from the storage building (where most of it has lived for 21 months) and the apartment into the new house. 

Yes, the whole family celebrated Thanksgiving today rejoicing over this FINALLY and looking with much anticipation to the future for these 2 special people in our lives.

You will be seeing a LOT of pictures of this lovely new home.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy FINALLY!!!!

THANKSGIVING & Mickey & Dave Birthdays 2011

Mickey & Dave share November 24th as their birth day.  We have celebrated it together on Thanksgiving ever since Dave & Suzette married in 1994.  This year Thanksgiving was on their actual BD.

Mickey in the new shirt & tie Jacque gave him last week.

Susan dolled up and ready to go!

Bless our daughter, Jacque's heart!!! She decided since this was our first Thanksgiving and birthday celebration without Suzette we needed to do something ENTIRELY different so she made reservations for the 9 of us at Forrest Ridge Golf Course.

Mickey & Susan.

Julie (Jessica's room mate) & Granddaughter Jessica.

 Jessica & Jacque.

Benny & Jacque.

Birthday Son-in-Love Dave with Grandson Aric.

Jessica & Dave.

Aric & Marc

Marc, Aric & Mickey as we leave the Glass Veranda after our wonderful Thanksgiving celebration of thanks & family.

I did not cook one single item this year for the Thanksgiving feast we all enjoyed, nor did we have to wash or pick up one dish.  Yes, it was a delightful time for all 9 of us.  But, no left overs!!!  There is always a down side isn't there?

Happy Thanksgiving & Happy 79th and 58th Birthdays to my wonderful husband, Mickey, and our son-in-love, Dave.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Mickey Wayne Joyce

1932-2011

Happy 79th Birthday....

To the most wonderful Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Friend, and most importantly, Child of God.

I am so blessed and honored to have this wonderful man as my husband for these 53 years.

Yes, count your blessings, name them one by one, and be THANKFUL

on this Thanksgiving Day -2011.

I posted here in 2007 if you'd like to see a lot of pictures of him over the years.

AUCTION

We have only been to a couple of auctions, and then with others and only as spectators, but last Saturday Marc, Aric, Mickey & I attended an auction with Marc looking for some good furniture buys.

 He was able to get 2 great antique wood chairs:  this one and a smaller one that he put in his trunk and I didn't get a picture of.  The second one was a straight back chair with no arms and solid wood.   He got both chairs for $50 and was very happy with his purchases.

Mickey & I just "went along" but when Mickey saw these two pieces of yard equipment he decided to bid on them.

 This power edger - He got for only $20!!

 This perfect small size John Deere tractor for $175.  Both the edger and the tractor started right up on the first try!!!!

 The edger after he'd gotten it all cleaned up and spiffy looking.

Mowing his front yard for the first time on his new little green tractor.  I am so relieved!!!  I'd been wanting him to get a riding mower as we have a pretty big back yard and it was getting to be a little hard on him, in the hot summer, pushing the push mower.  He always told me that riding mowers were too big and not of any use to him.  Well this one was perfect.

So - Marc was blessed with 2 chairs and Mickey was blessed with 2 pieces of lawn/yard equipment which will make keeping our place up so much easier for him.

Every good and perfect gift comes from our Father above!!!

Thank you JESUS.