Finding Grace, Trying Craft Fair

I have been so busy these past months getting ready for a Craft Fair in May at my cousin Sweetpea's church. I have a few pics to share with you. I am overjoyed that I can still craft after all these years of collecting supplies and never using them, lol. 

Dishcloths, and Trivets, and Hankie Folios, and Notepads, and Potholders and a Crocheted Marketbag, Oh My!

Mobley is evolving into a comfortable home for my husband and I. The finances are sparse, but the willingness to use what we have is there. God is teaching us so much!


Mary Englebreit Said It Right! It's Good To Be Queen!

God is amazing. His ideas are limitless, His love immense. We saved just the right pieces, and they enhance our home and yard. We still have much work to do on the interior, but cozy and comfortable seem to be our watchwords!


My Dear Mother's Hutch Comes Alive In Mobley's Living Room

Here are some more pictures of my craft fair goodies. I am so happy to be using my hands to craft and my head to create, lol....



We are meeting so many nice people in our little "senior" community. Our lovely neighbors gave us a pink geranium and some fescue sod they had left over from their landscape projects. As I look out my kitchen window at their yard I feel as if I am at the beach in Morro Bay, California. Roses and geraniums abound. Lavender and citrus trees, and a little gravel path ending in a wood landing with rustic wooden steps. I call it my beach path.  They have a lovely fountain on their patio that makes me hunger for the day that ours is ready and working. 

I have so many surprises to share in the coming weeks. I am alive with anticipation. Here's a little picture of my coffee table. It's really not for Easter, as I have my Country Rose's Bunnies out all year long. My husband loves the bunnies, too, but don't tell him I let his secret out.

I hope your day is filled with God's love and warmth. Say a little prayer for our country today if you would.

Wishing you blessings, Theresa





Due To Circumstances Beyond Our Control........

Isn't it always frustrating when you hear those words? It means something is not going right. Somethings broken. All is not well with the world.

Last Wednesday my father fell at 3:30 a.m. and broke his hip. He is 82, on dialysis 4 times a week, and has blood transfusions approximately every two weeks. As one of his caregivers, my world changed. 

Hospitals, operations, skilled nursing facilities, narcotics, medical transport companies, these are all game changers. There are no "time outs".

My big brother, bless his heart, really, bless his heart, bore the brunt of this episode. He is now exhausted, mentally, physically, and I wouldn't doubt a bit spiritually too.

Mobley is receiving her re-pipe, and I don't get to enjoy it with her. I am disappointed. I was on my way to be there for the joyous event, and got a call. "Dad is being moved to skilled nursing at three today". Game changer. All I wanted to do was make a simple pair of curtains for the guest bedroom. Game changer.

My dad is more important than Mobley ever will be I want to make that clear. But I so wanted to enjoy the busy industry of her re-plumb, knowing she will now come to life again and be our home.

Today I got on my knees and prayed. I thought of Geneva at "My Heart's Song", and her blog post on salt and light. She encouraged me greatly in an e-mail. Please visit her blog it's wonderful.

I was on my knees and I hear God speaking in my heart. I'm asking Him what to do, and why, why, why...... The gentle urging says II Timothy 2:10:

 

 

Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory        II Timothy 2:10 (NIV)

 

 

Perhaps, in the hospital, in the skilled nursing facility, in the dialysis center there is an elect (aren't we all the elect) needing to hear the salvation message. Maybe if I get my attitude right, God can use me or my poppa to reach the elect.

 

Please don't give up on Finding Grace, Going Mobile. We will arrive. We have already started the journey. But, due to circumstances beyond our control...........

 

 

 

Extreme blessings, Theresa

 

 

 

 

 

 



Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do, Or Do Without

Ceekay from Thinkin' of Home, a wonderful, upwardly mobile blog, gave me a great piece of advice when I first started this adventure. She said, "Don't get rid of anything because you think it won't fit." That little piece of advice, huge in wisdom, has stayed with me these past weeks. Please check out her blog for a ton of fun.

Now it has proved fruitful. I have two 70's era chairs that first belonged to my mom, and then resided at the summer place we owned together at a nearby lake. When we sold that place, the chairs came to rest in my home.

I recovered one, and then life got too full of, well, life and they were pushed to the side. With our downsizing scheme (out of necessity), I planned to get rid of them posthaste. Then came Ceekay's advice. I assumed a wait and see attitude

Mobley has a breakfast counter off the kitchen (see photo). We were over there the other day, and the legendary light bulb went off in my head or over my head (I can't see up there so I don't know which).

 

Purse, camera case, husband, oh, and  counter

P.S. We have removed the pink paper towel holder, just sayin'.......

Would the chairs fit? Could I find the rest of the fabric and foam for the other chair. Yes, and again, Yes!

My long suffering (and I do mean that) husband promptly put them in the back of his pickup truck, and hauled them over for me. They fit, hallelujah.... No backless, armless barstools for Mobley. Nice, comfortable chairs that fit right up to the counter, at no cost to the pocketbook.

 

I think they are from my mom's Spanish Period, with the Home Interiors

Matador picture and the  plastic wall sconces with orange candles.

 

 

 

The style of the chair is still the same, but I "Englished" it up

with lovely tapestry, rose and panel upholstery fabric.

 

Here is a great quote from E. James Rohn, that talented motivational speaker from the 1960's:

 

Learn how to be happy

With what you have,

While you pursue,

All that you want

 

E. James Rohn

 

I must acknowledge "my wants" have changed. I hunger to remain debt free, and make our retirement years richer indeed. Yet, I yearn to live in beautiful surroundings. I can accomplish both with God, creativity, and industry. "All Hands to the Handiwork", that is my clarion call.

 

 







Blessings, Theresa

Sweetpea's At Graceland

All right, Sweetpea is my nickname for my cousin, and she named her mobile home Graceland. No, not after Elvis Presley's home, (although she was talking about a sequined jumpsuit and air guitar the other day), but after God's own amazing grace.

Graceland: A Right Cozy Place, Very Feminine Inside

As you know I named my mobile home, Mobley, which raised my husband's eyebrows considerably. Anyway, my cousin tells me she named her house, Graceland. Not after Elvis, says I. No, says she,
after God's grace and the events that lead up to her becoming the owner of her own little cozy cottage.

Huge Backyard, Can't Wait For The Re-do: Of Course, I'll Share! 

The moral of this story is goobers are usually related to goobers. These are pictures of Sweetpea's little cozy cottage. And be sure to notice the fake plant in the front yard. We can't figure it out, but are planning a ceremony to TAKE IT OUT!

Right There In The Middle, All Awkward Green, Ick!

 

Meanwhile, back at Mobley we are awaiting the arrival of knights on white chargers to change the plumbing so we can get started on our adventure. The house was approximately 112 degrees inside the other day, so this gal is not risking her life until its under 90 degrees, lol.....

I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me......working in a 112 degree house does not strengthen me.

Theresa

Tennis In The Park Anyone?

Okay, this is just too interesting to me. Mobley is located in a 55+ park mobile estate that has an interesting history. Built in the 1970's on the outskirts of town, it is where the oil executives parked, lol, their elderly parents. The best mobiles, the best clubhouse, spacious yards, and close proximity to the upscale neighborhood of the oil folks.

If you were alive in the 70's you know tennis was hugely popular. Chris Evert and Jimmy Connors, teen heart throbs, engaged, not engaged. Wimbledon, the French Open, and Flushing Meadow, tennis at its finest.  Well, this place had regulation size tennis courts, and the streets are named after tennis terms. Love Lane, Set Lane, and then there's Vilas Lane.

Do you remember Guillermo Vilas, the Venezuelan tennis star, with his long flowing locks and left handed swing? Well, he has the distinction of being the only tennis star with a street in the park  named after him. I think someone had a crush, just sayin........

The Young Bull of the Pampas ~ Guillermo Vilas

There is a club house beside the tennis courts, and it's been rumored that some of the Hollywood set used to play on the courts and have drinks in the lounge. How amazing is that! Oil folks knew folks!

The tennis courts cost way too much to maintain, so they're slated to be replaced with you guessed it, more homes. The clubhouse is now an exercise center and recreation room. But the stuff that dreams are made of is still here.

Though its heyday is past, this is still the nicest park in town. It's still on the outskirts of town and has the nicest amenities, and the nicest people.

The curious part is younger folks are moving in. The under 60 crowd wants to downsize, and live debt free at retirement. The pendulum has swung, and keeping up with the Joneses might just involve a vegetable garden and renovated mobile home. All hail Joneses wherever you are!

I hope I can help Mobley be a star. When I'm through perhaps, it'll be a matter of Game, Set, and Match! She's already a star in my eyes.

Blessings, Theresa

Extreme Pipe Dreams

Well, Mobley is officially ours. Escrow closed, lease signed, it's all hands to the handiwork.

First and foremost we must replace the plumbing. There is a little problem with "Gray Pipe", and it was recalled in 1995. Needless to say, the previous owners ignored the recall or simply didn't open their mail, lol. The inspector said repairing the leaks would only cause leaks elsewhere, so it's all new pipes.

So, our first official act as Mobley's parents owners is to replace all her pipes stem to stern. We knew of this prior to purchasing our mobile, so we were prepared.

I won't show pictures of the re-pipe, as I refuse to crawl underneath the house. But here is a picture of the offending pipe, all neatly stacked, as though it didn't cause any heartache at all.

Naughty Pipe, Naughty

 

We now begin our journey, starting anew at our ages, lol. But God is at the helm, and this ship is going forward into uncharted territory with wind in the sails and adventures to be had.

 

Breathe a prayer for us if you will,

We'll be the better for it!

 

Blessings, Theresa

 



P.S. We are hiring a licensed plumber to do the re-pipe lest you think we attempted said work, lol.

 



Hi~ Meet Mobley

Well, my geekiness is coming out. I named our M.H. Her new name is Mobley. Every grand dame deserves a name, and she is going to be grand. I think she wants to grow up to be an English cottage, all comfy and cozy.

I know I'm a "goob". However, I have decided to revel in my gooberdom (is that a word?).

I went shopping in my little webstore, Cottage Violets, and bought a present for Mobley. I came up with just the right gift. Here it is:

A Perfect Little Sign for My New Garden Gate

 

 

Now, if escrow will just close, the adventure will begin. I admit,  I am not as handy as Geneva at My Heart's Song, or Ceekay at Thinkin' of Home, or Teresa at Magazine Your Home, or Gina at The Shabby Creek Cottage, but I'm gonna try!

 

Besides, it says in the word, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. By the way, you can visit the aforementioned ladies by clicking their blog names on the right sidebar. They are all interesting and unique, with beautiful mobiles.

 

Blessings, Theresa



In The Beginning........

Let's see, where do I start. Oh yes, during the last three years my life fell apart. I became unemployed, my husband was forced to retire, my parents, in their 80's, required in-home care, then my mother, my total bestie, suddenly passed away.

 My husband and I still stay with my father 5 days a week, and see our house on the weekends. Oh, did I mention we are doing a short sale on that house? Who needs the big earthquake, California's already underwater, at least most of the houses are!

I did the requisite amount of crying, yelling at God, blaming others, and on and on and on.

God just waited till I calmed down. It took me three years! Then he applied mercy and gave me GRACE. A big huge heaping helping of God's awesome grace.

My husband and I decided to look at mobile homes in the 55+ park where his father lives. I said park, they are called "Mobile Estates", lol.  We found a 1982 Double Wide at a reasonable price (less than a new car, lol).

Voila, as I speak we are in escrow! Soon, it will be all hands to the handiwork!

Here She Is ~ Waiting For A Makeover

 

I Love The Entrance ~ It's Due For A Trim

 

I wanted to direct you to three other blogs that are a total source of inspiration to me! Ceekay at  Thinking of Home, Geneva at My Heart's Song, and Teresa at Magazine Your Home. Their links are on my sidebar blog roll.

P.S. My cousin, friends for life, bought the mobile home across the street on the same day! Yay!

Cute As A Bug ~ Just Like My Cousin

Let the journey begin!

P.S. The name of the street is Love Lane. God has a sense of humor!

Blessings , Theresa