The Saga of the Carpet

This Saga began quite a few months ago when Mickey & I decided that our living room carpet needed to be replaced due to foot traffic areas.  We were in a dilemma as to whether 1) re-carpet - 2) hardwood - 3) finish the concrete floors.  I asked everyone I saw & talked to their opinion of what they had and what they liked or disliked about it.  I asked my fb friends the same thing in a post.  I got a LOT of feed-back, and as you might expect a variety of suggestions.  We had first thought we wanted hardwood but then due to the cost, decided that was not a good option for us.  We immediately ruled out the concrete floor refinishing.  So that left us with carpet.  Then it was a discussion between Berber or a commercial style carpet..  We decided to look at commercial samples and brought home probably 12-15 samples.  After several days we narrow it down to 1.  We called the carpet people back with our selection and they came out to measure.  The man walked into our home, knelt down at the end of the couch and said, "Why in the world do you want to re-carpet?  There is nothing wrong with this carpet."  We explained, "Because of the foot path across the LR & down the hallway.  He felt we could get it out with cleaning it.  A couple of years ago we had it professionally cleaned and were not happy with it.  About a year ago I borrow a friends shampooer and we cleaned it ourselves.  Still not happy with the track area.  At the family Easter dinner we discussed all this with the kids and they agreed it might be best to try shampooing again. 

After MUCH discussion, thought and prayer we decided to buy a Bissel carpet shampooer.  Marc went in 1/2 with us on the purchase.  We purchased this on April 8.  We have been so very busy that we did not even find a free day to do the job until last Wednesday, May 9th.  The carpets over all turned out really well, BUT we still had a slight foot traffic path.    On Friday I said, "We were going to put down an area run, if we had done the hardwood floors so what about getting an area rug??!!!"  So off we go to look at area rug.

 Here is the 8 x 10 we selected.  The photo shows more color variation from the top to the bottom than is actual.  We both REALLY like the rug.

We saved so much money with not re-carpeting we decided to buy ourselves a new couch, which was sorely needed at the one we had was 14 years old and getting very worn.

 Our new vynal  couch.  It looks almost black in this picture, but it is a dark brown mahogany. 

 The new rug, and couch with the coffee table in place.

This is Mickey & my Mother & Father Days present to each other and we are so very please & happy.

The 14 year old plaid couch that you have seen as a backdrop in so many of my pictures.. We gave it to a wonderful lady from our church who had told me some time ago that if I got a new sofa would I give her first option of purchasing it.  I told her, "NO!  If we buy a new one I'll give it to you."  So God has blessed us both.

Mother's Day - May 13, 2012

Jacque & Benny hosted Mother's Day at their home.  They catered Rib Crib Bar-be-que: chicken, pulled pork and beef, cold slaw, baked beans, Texas toast, pickles, onions, & peppers.  Benny made a big batch of his own delicious potato salad.  Chocolate & apple pie.  Marc paid for 1/2 of the catering.

(Sorry the pictures are so dark)

 Dave - Aric - Benny

Get a load of Aric's new tennis shoes!!

 Mickey - Marc

 Jacque - Susan

You can tell this was NOT a posed picture!!!  That's the real us.

 Reading Jacque & Benny's sweet card with these words:

Mom, I want you to know that you're as great at being a friend as you've always been at being a mom.

The same warmth that was there for me when I was little is there for me now when I need a little encouragement or ego boost.   The same cheerleading and belief in me when I was in school is there for me now, just as needed and just as appreciated.  We're so close that I consider you not only my mom but my lifelong friend-that one who's always in my corner and on my side..the one I'm always going to need and love.  Happy Mother's Day

Signed:   I Love You with all my heart!  Jacque

Love, Bennie

You all know how much I treasure cards and words.  These blessed me so!!

(picture of their gift below)

Reading my Gift Certificate from Marc & Aric

Certificate of Appreciation for the BEST Mother

This certificate is awarded to

Susan Joyce

in recognition of valuable contributions to raising the Joyce Family which we all know was not an easy task.

Also redeemable with this certificate is one week day lunch and afternoon shopping trip to chose the white sandals of your choice

all compliments of your forever loving son.

Signature:  Marc   5/13/12

Signature:  Aric 5/13/12

(My scanner just went on the fritz when I tried to scan the card & certificate - bummer!)

My lovely new top & pant outfit from Jacque & Benny.

I always liked it when my girls brought me clothes because they have such good taste.

Of course, we had that empty chair at the table which was a sad reminder but it was still a lovely

Mother's Day 2012!

An Act of Kindness

Just have to share this.........A few days ago Mickey & I were driving down one of the very busy, car jampacked main streets in Tulsa.  All of a sudden the traffic up ahead began to slow and then came to a complete stop.  I could see a couple of woman standing in the center  between the 4 lanes, and then begin to head toward the other side of the street and I said to Mickey, "An accident must have just happened".


Then we saw what was really happening.  These two woman had seen a mother duck with her 6 to 8 little ducklings starting to cross the street, stopped their car, jumped out and stopped 4 lanes of traffic, 2 going each direction, to let this little Momma get her babies across the road and up the curb onto the green grass.  


Thought I'd share this in saying to all my friends who happen by:

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!!

More Grandparents Bragging - Aric

Monday, May 7th, we left our house at 6:45 a.m. to head to Owasso so we could attend the 7th grade award ceremony for Aric's 7th grade classes.

Fixing to leave the house - backpack on back and lunch in his plastic bag.  He sometimes opts to make a lunch for himself and save his lunch money :o)

This is 1/4 of the 7th grade student body - 742 of them!!!! There are as many on the other side of the entry door on the left of the picture + that many sitting behind us on our side!!  The parents and grandparents, who came, are seated in a row of chairs in front of where the students are seated.  Let  me tell you......the noise level when these 742 kids were in here was TREMENDOUS.  I thought of what it must be like to be in the midst of one of those huge crowds of people demonstrating in the Arab countries.  I pray I never have to be a part of such a huge mob.

The empty chairs in the middle are for the 200, out of the 742 students, who have earned MERIT AWARDS.  I am thankful for a school who only honors awards to those who EARN them.  What a concept!!!

The principal, the award tables and a few of the teachers.

Aric, as he has just picked up his FIRST of TWO Merit Awards.  This one is for MATH.  He also received another one, and I didn't get a picture, for GEOGRAPHY.

Walking to his seat, at the end of the row as we just "happened" to be sitting just at the end of the row.  How good our God is to us in even the smallest, most unexpected ways!!!

Smiling, with joy and pride, after receiving the Math Merit Award.

Proud Grandpa Mickey & Dad Marc looking on.

Dad Marc, Grandson Aric, and Grandma Susan holding up those 2 Awards.

3 Generations of this JOYCE heritage:

Marc - Aric - Mickey

These are 3 of my most favorite people on this earth.

Mickey & I are so blessed that they live near us and we are privileged to be part of their lives .

GOD IS GOOD

&

WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU ARIC.

Wednesday Hodge Podge #7

Go here for other Hodge Podge posts.

1. What is a pet peeve you have when vacationing?  The traffic and road construction every where you go.

2. Would you describe yourself as a light packer or do you need everything in your closet plus the kitchen sink? Very light packer, on a recent 3 day trip to Branson, MO my husband and I shared a medium size suitcase.

3. What's the best lesson a child ever taught you? To let them know how very important they are to you.

4. Share one piece of advice you'd give a recent graduate as they attempt to enter the job market?  If you have prepared yourself well with high grades and and good references;  remember that the employer interviewing you is just as concerned about making a good impression on you, so you'll want to join their organization, as you are on making a good impression on them. A person at an employment agency way back in 1956 gave me this advise.  I always had that thought throughout the years, when I moved to a new location or decided to go back to work after staying home with a child, and was very successful at getting hired. 

5. What's your favorite lemon something?  Lemon meringue pie hands down!

6. Flat sandal, wedge, heel...your favorite footwear?  Use to wear 3" heels all the time, but now that I'm in my 60's its definitely always flats. 

7. What do you like best about a beach holiday? If you're not a beach lover (GASP!!) what do you dislike the least?  I am NOT a beach lover at all!!  Give me the mountains or a beautiful lake in Canada or Alaska any day.  Can't think of anything I dislike least about a beach holiday because I just do not take them.

8. Insert your own random thought here.  What activity takes up the majority of your time, both mentally and physically, and why? 

Our Above & Beyond God

On April 22nd I wrote about Real Christianity and told you I would follow up after we held our opening class.  Well, May 6th, was that day.


This is part of what I wrote in that blog (the book I am referring to is The 10 Second Rule by Clare De Graff):
As we were reading  this book I kept saying to Mickey, "I wish someone would teach this at our church.  I just know that if 10 to 20 people really DO what this book teaches it would revolutionize not only our church but our community."  The more I prayed about this the more Christ was saying to me:  "YOU do it!"  


Kent & I were assigned Room #418 which is on the second floor of the ORC (Outreach Center) Building.  When we went to look it had 25 chairs.  BUT GOD BROUGHT IN 30!!!!  Mickey had to pull in 5 more chairs.  The chairs are placed in a large circle and not in rows.


 I began by sharing how the class had come about and a brief overview of what I feel God is going to do. I told everyone that I had been praying, for the past 8 weeks, that God would place whom He wanted to be in this class and that I knew they were there because God answers our prayers. Kent asked for prayer requests and then  lead in prayer. We pointed out that Kent & I are not "teachers" but facilitators who are going on this journey with the class.  I gave a brief presentation with a flashlight, based on Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  Which I had been blessed to hear, in person,  from Bill Cloud the Sunday evening before!!!  I love the way God gives us things to use and learn just as HE knows we need them.  Kent gave a brief presentation, which he had gotten from watching Frances Chan, using a long white rope with a short area of red on the end,  The long rope represents eternity, and the short area of red our lives here on earth.


Then we went around the room and everyone gave their name and told a little bit about themselves.  It was really interesting and a good way for everyone to start becoming more familiar with each other.  Next, Kent talked about us wanting a 13 week commitment from each of them and how this was not a game or a competition and tied it in with my earlier presentation about OUR path that The Word is lighting for us individually.  


When Kent asked how many were willing to commit to the 13 weeks EVERY hand in the room went up!!!!  Then we passed out the books and gave out the first assignment: read "About the Author", "Preface" and "Chapter 1" and come prepared next week to discuss what God has shown and spoken to them. I closed in prayer.  


One young woman said, "I've taken a part-time job so I may have to miss a few Sundays, but I've already decided I will type out what  God has shown and spoken to me that week, e-mail it to Mrs. Susan and she can read it to you."  Now that is the spirit - thank you Tanzy!!!!


We have had many wonderful comments about the class, but I want to share a special one that Jeanne posted on my fb wall: Just a note to let you know, Susan Errett Joyce and Kent Rife, you did a wonderful job giving the overview for the Real Christianity class. I told Kent you have eliminated the things that I don't like about small groups...ie, classroom is too hot, the chairs are uncomfortable and one person controls the entire class time. You didn't even use the stinky white board markers! ;) Thank you thank you thank you! I'm excited to see what God does in this class! Your door greeter did a good job (Mickey) and Kathy Robinson was doing a great job keeping up the paper work. 
You guys are awesome!


Mickey, Kent & I are excited about what OUR ABOVE & BEYOND GOD has already done and what HE has in store for ALL of us. We covet your prayers!!! 

Jessica's Graduation

May 4, 2012 - Tulsa Community Collage - Associates Degree

Part of the family row (left to right) Grandma Susan, Mom Jacque, Benny, Great Aunt Mary, Step-Mom Marti, Dad Terry, Room mate Julie, Friend of Julie

 Step-mom Marti - Dad Terry  came in from Ocean Springs, MS and picked up Jessica's Great Aunt Mary in Texas 

- Room mate Julie

 Brother Marc - Cousin Aric - Grandpa Mickeys empty chair (taking pictures!)

 Jessica marching in 6th from the back on the farther line!

As good as we could get!!!

 Receiving her Associates Degrees:

Interior Design with Honors

Business Administration with Honors

Jessica has not received her final grade but it has to be 3.5 or higher to receive Honors.  She only made one C which was in calculus which she struggled with.

We could not be more proud of her and this accomplishment. 

She is already enrolled at The University of Oklahoma in Norman to pursue her Interior Design Degree beginning August 28th.

  

Our gift box to her

The note in the top of the box reads:

For your graduation with your

Associates Degrees from TCC 

I wanted to give you something

That belonged to me.

The turquoise nugget necklace

I have had since I was 16 years

Old.  That would make it 58

Years old.  The little ring was

Given to me in 1984 by your

Grandfather Mickey. 

We are so very proud of you

And you are loved very much

By us.

Grandma & Grandpa Joyce

5-4-12 

The necklace is 10 turquoise nuggets with silver chain.  The ring is a 12 carat gold heart with diamond chips (the ring does not show up very well in the picture)

Opening her gift

 Proud Grandma Susan with  #1 Grand daughter Jessica

 Proud Grandpa Mickey showing Jessica a nest build on our front porch hanging basket with 6 little birds

For her gift to herself - Jessica traded in her Jeep for this 2009 Mazada.

Wonderful accomplishment by a very wonderful grand daughter.