David Graham July 1,1937 to November 27, 2018

     

My beloved Dad passed away recently after Thanksgiving weekend.  Even though he had health challenges, we were still floored.  But God had his hand over the whole situation and we are comforted knowing Dad is with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  

Some of our friends aren't on Facebook, so I am going to copy my children's tributes to their Granddaddy.  

From Maggie:

 

November 29, 2018 ·

Oh my Granddaddy, you had such an impact on my life. I have never known a birthday without you there. I know you loved me because you told me so. I know you prayed for me and my cousins by name every night because you told me so. You told me I was beautiful and would always be your baby. You gave me my love of traveling, ordered me my first rare steak, stayed out in the freezing cold to teach me how to hunt, and you were the first place I drove to after getting my license. You taught me life was too short not to laugh at yourself…and EVERYTHING ELSE! I will so dearly miss the hours spent snuggling, making pies, and driving around town talking about my future, God’s will for my life, finances, hunting, my health, jokes, recipes, building projects, life… no topic was off limits😊 Thank you for your unconditional love and the lessons you taught me by the way you lived your life and loved my grandma. Rejoice in the Lord my Granddaddy! I cannot wait to see you and hold your hand again. I sorrow not, as others who have no hope, for the comforter abides in me and He has conquered the grave. To God be the glory for His amazing grace!

It is not death to die
To leave this weary road
And join the saints who dwell on high
Who’ve found their home with God
It is not death to close
The eyes long dimmed by tears
And wake in joy before Your throne
Delivered from our fears

O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die

It is not death to fling
Aside this earthly dust
And rise with strong and noble wing
To live among the just
It is not death to hear
The key unlock the door
That sets us free from mortal years
To praise You evermore

- Hymn by Bob Kauflin

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 From Lizzie:

 November 29, 2018 ·

Oh my precious Grandaddy. So many wonderful memories came flooding in when I held your hand and stroked your hair. Countless hours of snuggling, spending time together, making memories. My grandfather showed me unconditional love, always encouraged me to do what the Lord would have for my life. To each of my siblings and I he invested his life into ours. His home was our second home and we were always welcome. He loved spending time with us and always told us that and how much he loved us. He prayed for me by name every night which meant more to me then I could say. We went fishing together, cooked, baked, laughed, went on adventures and grew up with him in our lives, which didn't stop when we became adults. I could always count on him for comfort, love, great stories, hugs and kisses, to hold my hand and snuggle, always be thankful, and a good laugh. We "sorrow not, even as others which have no hope". I am sorrowing, still in pain and sadness, but not without hope that only Jesus Christ can give because I know Him personally. If I'm ever privileged to have grandchildren, I want to be just like you, my precious Grandaddy. See you on the other side, "but until then, my heart will go on singing. Until then, with joy I'll carry on. Until the day, my eyes behold the Savior. Until the day, God calls me home." For it's "Because He lives, that I can face tomorrow". Praise the Lord


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From Ruthie:

November 27, 2018 ·

Goodbye to my Granddad! He was a good man that loves the Lord, and is now with Him. Thank you Granddaddy for all the memories you shared with me and the love you showed to me! I will one day walk with you on those streets of gold, but until that day, I will miss you Granddaddy. You loved life because you got to watch your children and grandchildren grow up. I remember going on all those trips to Virginia with you. Sitting on the beaches of Texas and seeing in your eyes the beauty you were beholding! I can’t imagine the beauty you are seeing right now, with our Savior! I can’t count how many times we made pies and went shopping together! I will miss the Christmas Hallmark movies you won’t be there to watch with us. You were always there to say “give me a kiss!” You made me feel so special. You probably said “I love you” to me every time I saw you.
I wish we could do everything we did together one more time again.
I wish the whole world could have known you, because you made everyone happy who saw you!
Your testimony made such an impact on so many lives as well as my own.
I love you so much grandad! Thank you for your support all my life. Thank you for being there on the big events, and even small events like watching me lose playing soccer and still sat on those uncomfortable bleachers, just to say “good job baby.”
I will miss you, but never forget you. You helped make me who I am.

You knew this world was not your home, but you were just a passing through.
Your treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue.
Thank you and love you Granddaddy!
Love your granddaughter,
Ruth

 I can't believe it's been almost a year since I updated this blog!  But several people have been persistent, so here goes another post.  I'm only allowed 500 posts for this blog, which I've reached, so I'm going through and deleting some posts that weren't family-related.  Meanwhile, here's an update.    

This morning, Sarah came over and asked me to go to lunch at Salsalitos, and then to go plant shopping at Green Acres.  Green Acres has recently been renovated and it looks beautiful!

 This store is owned by Mennonites.  Everything looks nice and clean.  I enjoyed seeing all the western themed items.  There were planters that looked like saddles, cowboy boots and hats, etc. 

 The resident lab was sleeping in the middle of the parking lot when we pulled up.  Totally fearless.  When we were leaving, he ran up and tried to come home with us.  I pulled out my camera and he quickly did The Pose.  As soon as I put my camera away, he reverted back to trying to hop in. 

For my local friends, there is a Christian bookstore across the street from Green Acres (in Loveville).  This is a good place for homeschoolers to shop.

What am I up to these days?  Getting little things done.  I bought a roll of liner paper at the thrift shop and finally got around to putting it in my nightstand drawers.  Looks so nice.

And I found this 3-tiered plate set at the thrift shop but it had a plastic pole for the handle.  The silver paint was peeling off the plastic, and the whole thing was wobbly.  I bought a $3 handle set on Amazon and now it's sturdy and pretty.

Our town is growing quickly.  When we moved here in 1978, it was considered rural.  Now we are anything but rural.  Our latest new shopping area has a pizza place called Mod Pizza.  We used their coupons and went out as a family.  The good thing about Mod Pizza is that they are allergen friendly.  They have non-dairy cheese and gluten free crusts.  And great salads.  We were very pleased...especially when no one hurt afterwards.  Highly recommend.

 I didn't realize there were no wedding pictures of Anna on my last post.  Everything went perfectly.  It was a hot and humid day for getting pictures outside but no one complained.

 Anna's bridesmaids from l to r were Lisa (from college), Faith (longtime friend who was almost 9 months pregnant!), Ruthie, Lizzie, and Maggie.  Sarah sang for the wedding and was in charge of the reception. 

 This is our immediate family.  As I went through the pictures, I smiled to see so many pictures where Mike had his "I will not cry" look.  Definitely an emotional day. 

Anna and John have lived with us this past year so they could put some money aside.  Both of them had good jobs here for which we are so thankful.  But in June they will leave to go to Camp Bimi in Chattanooga for a reunion there.  Then they will head back to Landmark Baptist College in Florida for John's last year.  We've enjoyed this year but it warms my heart to see Anna getting excited about setting up her own home.  We are so happy for them! 

My life will be changing these next few months as four of my children head to Florida for Bible college.  This summer is full of camps and trips, so life will be busy.

Write to me and catch me up to date on your life.  

Many blessings ~ Kathie

Psalms 28:7 ~ "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him."

I've been asked to update my blog so folks can see how we're doing.  They also want to know why I stopped.  Two reasons:  our internet connection is costly, and we just got busy living.  So here's what we're up to.  I'll start oldest to youngest.  Above is Mike (with Allen).  Mike is still working on base but he does mention retirement once in a while...so I know it's at the back of his mind.  But with 5 children in college, it's not an option right now.

 Sarah asked me not to mention her on my blog.  Nothing is wrong, just wanting to be private.

Maggie is very busy.  This picture was taken the day before she traveled to Oregon for a week of hiking with her friend, Crissy.  They loved Oregon...especially the dairy free doughnuts!  Maggie is studying for a dietetic technician degree.  The two of us spent this past spring semester driving 2-1/2 hours to Virginia each week so she could complete her required internship. First she studied in Culpeper at the hospital, then she studied in Madison at the Autumn Care long term facility.  

While Maggie was working hard, I was roaming the beautiful Virginia countryside visiting thrift shops and antique stores.  We usually went to VA on Tuesday and Wednesday, spending the night at the Best Western hotel in Culpeper.  I enjoyed watching Chip and Joanna Gaines on cable tv.  I really miss VA and being in the Bible belt.

 This is Anna.  She just graduated from Landmark Baptist College in Haines City, FL.  Anna was the Valedictorian of her graduating class and graduated summa cum laude.  We are so proud of her!  Best of all...Anna became engaged to her fiance on Christmas morning.  We are preparing for her August wedding.  I enjoy telling people that Anna went to Florida to find a husband from Maryland. 

 Anna and John are the second and third from the right.  I took this picture in church while they were home for Christmas.

 Lizzie graduated from our local college last year, and like Anna, she graduated summa cum laude. She now has a degree in Medical Massage Therapy. This past year she also studied at Landmark Bible College and was Anna's roommate. This summer Lizzie will be returning to Chick Fil A to save up for another year at LBC. 

 Allen has had a busy two years as well.  Last year Allen earned a degree in Criminal Justice. This year he is earning a second degree in Cyber Security. In the photo above, Allen is at the Richmond International Raceway.  His siblings bought him 12 laps around the raceway.  He loved it.  

Allen works for a tech company as a solderer.  He enjoys his work.  Not only did he attend college full time but he also worked 30 hours/week.  He was busy!

 Allen rode his motorcycle to Florida...a 14 hour trip!  He also enjoyed a trip to West Virginia.  (Allen just walked past and informed me this is his old motorcycle. Tomorrow I will update with his newer bike.)

 Last but certainly not least, Ruthie is now a Red Cross certified lifeguard.  She will be getting her drivers license next month.  This past semester Ruthie studied at the local college and got A's in her classes.  Ruthie had such a wild schedule this year with Tuesday classes while I was in Virginia.  She really was tested but passed with flying colors!!  (Thank you to Granddad who is still running his chauffeuring service.)

 Lizzie and Anna came home from college this past Tuesday, so the excitement level around here is still elevated.  Along with the return to never-ending laundry and continual dishwashers, is the wonderful sound of singing and laughing.  Maggie and Lizzie spent the afternoon in the kitchen making delicious cinnamon rolls (gluten-free!). We're slowly getting back into our routines.

 We girls even managed to finish a puzzle.  Now we're working on a difficult puzzle which made the crossword puzzle look simple!

This is a picture of the mountains in Virginia.  I miss those mountains and the friends I made.  (I was disappointed that we had to stay in the costly hotel each week.  In spite of the many large Baptist churches nearby, not one person was a member of the Candle in the Window ministry.  I even wrote to the churches but never heard back.)

This summer we are busy preparing for the wedding and enjoying being back together.  Maggie is giving Anna a bridal shower as well.  So there is much to do.  We are very thankful that our children have been good stewards and have paid their way through college.  I'm learning it is a rare thing to be debt free after college. 

If you are reading this, please drop me a line and let me know how you are doing.  I've missed my blogging friends!

Many blessings ~ Kathie 

 I've been asked to write a post about my newest hobby...twining.  Twining is a method of making rag rugs with a loom.  It's the same method the Navajos use to make their wool rugs on tapestry looms.

 The above picture shows my latest rug (I've made two).  I can't remember how I first learned about twining rugs.  At the time, there wasn't a lot of information online but there sure is now!  I tried to make my own loom but finally realized I needed measurements and some instruction on how to turn the ends.  So I bought this book on Amazon.  It was the only book at the time.  Now there are many.

If you decide to buy this book, make sure you buy this edition.  (The reviews for the latest edition are not good.) Yes, it is expensive at $14.99 but the instructions are given photo by photo.  And the exact measurements are given to make your own loom. I still use this book to remind me how to turn the ends.

This is a close up of the rows.  It looks like braids.  My first rug I used sheets torn into strips.  My second rug I used a dozen home decor fabrics.  They are nice and heavy and make a firmer rug.

This is a blurry picture of my loom.  These sell on eBay for about $45+$19 shipping.  I made mine for about $15. 

You twine from the ends, inwardly. I twine 4 rows on one end, flip the loom and twine 4 rows from there. 

I had a bolt of ugly fabric that I cut into a continuous strip for the warp (the up and down rows).  The warp won't show when my rug is finished, so I didn't care that the print is ugly.  I just noticed my loom is sitting on my first rug made from blue sheets. 

I have my loom set up in the living room.  I lean my loom against the back of a maple chair that I bought at the thrift shop for $4.  I know it will get scratched/rubbed by the loom but it's the right height when I sit on the piano bench. 

I was thrilled when I realized I could use my antique spools to store my strips.  I tore the strips into 3" strips, then folded them in half, then wound them onto the spool.  Storing the strips like this makes the fold permanent. 

You can see my little window set-up next to my loom.  I also keep a pair of sharp scissors to snip off any threads and to cut a hole into a new strip.

I also found these little clips at JoAnn Fabrics.  I use these a lot to keep strips in place.

This is a picture of my first rug.  It's gotten a lot of heavy traffic.  It's also a little out of shape since I hung it weirdly after its first washing.  And it definitely needs another washing!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.  I enjoy twining rugs.  I also enjoy the ruggedness of the rugs.  So if you want a hobby that is cheap, easy, relaxing, and fun, this may be it!

Many blessings ~ Kathie

I finally have access to my blog again!  For 3+ weeks I have been trying to post but I thought something was wrong with my computer. Now I have to use my hubby's Chrome feature but that's okay.  So until I get my pictures resized and ready to post, I'll start with these beautiful pictures Maggie took while babysitting Abigail this summer. 

These pictures were taken on a hot, humid day this summer...much different from the cool, crisp fall day we are having this week.  Abigail turned 6 this year and entered first grade a few weeks ago.  And her class won the Box Top Collection Contest!!  Now to start filling up the jar for the second graders to win next year.

Many blessings ~ Kathie