Steve and I join many thousands of others in praying for our upcoming election, for our leaders, and for the people who put their lives on the line for our leader’s safety.
Sometimes I feel a little powerless in the face of such great complexities but I’m reminded of another thing I can do besides pray: I can spread kindness in every circle of which I am a part. The country can use many circle of kindness and much, much prayer.
Last week, Sarah and Gage visited his family in Fayetteville to celebrate his mom, Casey’s, birthday. Gage’s parents have started a lovely fruit and vegetable garden in their backyard. In past visits, Sarah noticed that Casey picked her produce without any kind of basket, so she had to make several trips between the garden and the kitchen. So she and Gage had the idea to give Casey a practical gift: a homemade foraging apron. (I didn’t even know there was such a thing till Sarah told me.)
Casey loves honeybees and puns, so Sarah and Gage picked out fabric from a craft store that just happened to include both. Then Gage got out his sewing tools and became a busy bee himself.
Can you believe it only took him about four hours? The tied bow in front allows the pocket to become as loose or as tight as needed to carry things inside.
Unsurprisingly, Casey adored the gift!
If Sarah and Gage’s future kids have green thumbs, they certainly won’t have gotten them from Steve or me. 🙂
I was out on a quick shopping trip Saturday and saw this verse attached to the back of a display table where flowers would be placed for sale. There was something so refreshing to see timeless words pop up in the middle of a crazy world. I stood there for a few seconds, just to drink in the beauty and truth of those words.
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8.
In another store I was in Saturday, I noticed this sign on the door. It’s similar to one I’ve seen many times before but this is the first time I remembered to take a photo.
Has it ever seemed weird to you that you can’t take merchandise into a restroom because you might steal it; however you can take the merchandise into the dressing room. What’s going to keep you from stealing it from there? (Of course, I am talking about unstaffed dressing rooms.)
I truly want to understand why stores think you would steal items taken into a restroom but you wouldn’t steal items from a dressing room. If you work in retail, maybe you can help me with this conundrum. I am just way too curious sometimes.
Even though we live in a city of a million people, I still dodge chickens when I drive to work in the morning. It’s actually kind of a nice touch of country life before I hit the freeway and enter all the busyness and craziness of our metropolis.
The Smith Six are vacationing in Florida and getting to spend time with their family and church friends. The grands are having such a fabulous time being with their cousins who they love and miss.
And no one is happier than a dad with three daughters all in one place again.
The Charlottean/Floridian Sibs.
If you’ve ever driven cross country with a car full of little ones, you know what an adventure it is! I’m so glad they’re having a great time.
When I was out shopping on Saturday I was walking on the sidewalk of a fairly busy street when I noticed a person do a very skilled job of parallel parking. I was immediately overcome with admiration and envy. I have never parallel parked a day in my life and especially can’t imagine having the courage to try it on a busy street.
My hat if off to all parallel parkers.
Do you see these shoes?
I got them for $4 from a thrift store a few years ago. I love shoes in a gold or a nude color because they go with so many things. Since moving to Charlotte, I’ve cut my shoe collection down by about 60%, so each pair has a lot more importance to my overall wardrobe.
I had these shoes on at work a few weeks ago and was walking across the lobby when the bottom back half of the shoe separated from the top. Fortunately, it was the end of the day so not a big problem.
Steve glued them, put them in a clamp, and a few days later, I wore them again. And the sole came off again.
I was flapping my way through the lobby when two tech guys happened to see me and poke some good-natured fun. I said, “You guys fix things all day. Do you have any idea what would fix a shoe?”
They both said, in unison, “Shoe Goo.”
So I ordered some Shoe Goo and Steve glued the shoes for the third time. They held up very well. Until about 2 p.m. when they let lose. I was about to leave work to go to an eye appointment so I got some packing tape and wrapping it around the shoe so that I could at least walk.
All was well until the very end of the appointment when it was time for me to walk across the large, quiet lobby to go out to my car. The tape chose that very moment to let loose and the shoe started making a flapping, slapping sound every time I took a step. I smiled cheerily at all the eyes belonging to all the heads that found it necessary to look up from their phones to investigate the strange and sudden sound.
It occurred to me that if I sort of tiptoed on the foot with the broken shoe it wouldn’t flap as loudly. Unfortunately, it still flapped, and worse yet, my ungainly gait did nothing to help the situation.
I got home, threw the shoes into the garbage, and sadly decided to call it quits even though they were some of my favorite shoes.
The next day I came home from work and what did I see? My shoes. Resurrected. Sitting on my dresser. Re-glued.
Steve said he glued them so much there was more glue than shoe but he was hopeful it would do the trick.
So guess what I’m wearing today? Yep. I love living dangerously. (Although I do have a backup pair in the car.)
Hoping for the best!
What about you?
Are you a great parallel parking pro or not so much?
Are you a shoe-gluer?
Have you ever seen (or have) a foraging apron? Sarah even said they have them for egg-gathering with individual pockets. Who knew?
Are you good enough at sewing to make an apron like that? (I certainly am not.) How did you learn to sew?
What are your best tips for traveling with kids?
I CAN parallel park as long as nobody is watching me and I have a backup camera. 😂
I live in one of the very fastest growing cities in America and we have Egyptian geese in our neighborhood. It started as a pair and now the flock has 6-8 depending on the day! They are not bright and will just walk right in front of the cars so everyone is super careful about them. We’ve even had a few instances in which some people had to corner & catch a couple in order to help them. One had fishing line wrapped tight around a foot and the ither had a hook straight through upper beak and lower beak! (There is a park behind our neighborhood with a small lake where people can fish.) It’s fun to have the geese here but all the poop everywhere is not great. 😂
Lizz,
I totally get the “if nobody is watching me” line. 🙂 So true of so many things!
Yes, geese are lovely and fun to look at–but what they leave behind is not so fun.
I don’t work in retail but my assumption is that there are usually employees monitoring dressing rooms. In some stores they ask you how many items you have going in, and check how many you have going out. In a bathroom no one is watching, and no one will notice if you put on a shirt and then walk out wearing it. I’m sure it’s not a foolproof system though!
It seems theft has really become a problem. I was at Walgreens and a fellow walked in, picked up a case of beer, and walked right out, in front of the young cashier, who watched but did nothing. I stared at the cashier in disbelief. He looked back in dismay and said, “Yeah, I know. My boss won’t let me call the police on thieves, and even when I do, the thieves are long gone by the time the police get here and they don’t pursue them. I didn’t think I’m going to work here much longer.”
I was really shocked. I have never in my life seen such blatant theft in broad daylight. It seems like are few deterrents to thievery at the moment.
Ellen,
Yes, I was mainly talking about those situations, like in a smaller store/thrift store, etc. where the dressing rooms are unmanned. Seems funny I can take merchandise in there but not the bathroom!
I agree–working in retail would be a challenge with so many people not respecting the law. And I, for one, would not try to stop a shoplifter physically because I would come out on the losing end.
It’s more important than ever to teach our kids, grandkids, students, mentees, etc. to respect the laws of the land.
I would have a guilty conscience if I even stool a Tootsie Roll! I can’t imagine walking off with something larger.
I “can” parallel park, but avoid it if possible. I don’t recall ever gluing shoes, if I tear up a pair it usually can’t be fixed simply by gluing. I’ve never heard of a foraging apron until this post and the last time I sewed (other than re-attaching a button or repairing a ripped seam) was in 8th or 9th grade home ec. I probably could if I had to, but the results might not be pretty. When my son was young we had a Fisher Price cassette player with headphones and would pack a child-size suitcase full of books on tape (the ones that would “ding” when it was time to turn the page). That kept him occupied for hours. By the time the girls came along, we got a portable DVD player with 2 screens that would attach to the seat rest with velcro straps to entertain on long trips. I hope you have a great rest of the week!!
SueEllen,
I remember sewing in Home Ec, too. I was not real good at it.
I had forgotten about those books on tape that dinged when it was time to turn a page. That is such a great idea for a kid on a trip–or any other time.
Wish we had portable DVD players when Nathan and Sarah were young!
Don’t usually parallel park, but if I have to, my tongue usually comes out to help. (You”re not the only one Michael). If it is something I really like or love, the glue or tape will come out. I applaud Steve for doing it one more time. Am assuming you will let us know if it once again does its thing. Great idea to put another pair of shoes in the car. Nice the family can get away. Love the sunset picture of the kids. Had never heard of that type of apron. I learned how to sew in Home Ec – when it was around – and several years ago when I was able to dry my clothes outside, I made myself a clothespin apron. It was easier to reach into the apron and grab a clothes pin than walking back and forth to a hanging clothes pin bag. Just took an old apron and added pockets. Gage, that apron you made for your mom is fantastic and so colorful. Great idea!
Got to wondering – in some restaurant bathrooms they have shelves that they put extra tp on. Wondering if it is the theft of tp too – along with other merchandise!
Love that verse!
Sharyn,
A clothespin apron is a great idea! I remember when I used to help my mom hang clothes I had to walk back and forth to the pin bag. Not many people dry clothes on a line anymore but they sure do smell great!
Interesting idea about stores storing toilet paper on a shelf and people taking that. Although I think that would be a little touch to smuggle out! 🙂
Yes, I can parallel park. It was a requirement to pass driver’s Ed in high school. Had to do it downtown Denver. Sheesh! I got really, really good at it since we had a driving range at our school. It was pretty cool.
I’ve never heard of a foraging apron but I could probably make one. It looks awesome! My mom taught me to sew. Both using patterns and not using them. It comes in handy a lot!
I’ve never glued a shoe. If it gets that bad, it’s bye-bye time! Then I’ll maybe go get a new pair. 😉
LeeAnne,
Downtown Denver? Oh my. You are a brave, brave person! I think I could learn it if I had a driving range and didn’t have to worry about traffic during the learning process.
Your mom gave you a great gift teaching you to sew with and without a pattern. Buttons and hems are the end of my abilities.
I kind of assume from your spelling that the glue you used on your shoe is Shoe Goo in the red/white tube. But if not, try it–as a dance teacher, I’ve repaired countless shoes with it & they typically survive many more hours of dancing! We live in a small town & have to park on the street in front of our house. I’ve had to parallel park daily for nearly 25 years. Am I a pro? Yes. Do I love it? Nope! We’re renovating a house a few blocks away with a driveway! Can’t wait!
Emily,
Aha! In my head, I saw it as Shoo Gloo. I just want back into the post and changed it to Shoo Goo.
How fun it will be to have your own driveway! But after 25 years of parallel parking, I doubt you will ever lose that skill. I’m in awe that you can do it!
I love the foraging apron. I have an “egg apron” that I used to gather the chicken eggs, but our chickens met up with some wild animals around our home, and they are no longer with us. Although I do still have the apron. I don’t know how many shoes I glued during my teaching career, but it brought back some funny and not so funny memories when I read your post about your shoes. I’ve glued everything from boots to flip-flops to sandals and pumps that students wore to school, and they just couldn’t make it through the day. It was more important for me to keep the kids at school. So I always had glue. Gorilla glue honestly work the best. It is hard to part with a great pair of shoes.
Lisa,
So you were known as the Gluing Teacher! So nice of you to think about your students and keeping them in school rather than having to go home because of a broken shoe.
Steve does have some Gorilla glue; I don’t know if he used that or not. My shoes lasted the whole day yesterday, so that was exciting!
Sorry to hear your chicken met up their doom. It’s cool you actually have an egg-gathering apron!
I meant to comment on road trips with children. We live 650 miles from where we grew up so made many, many long road trips with the children (4 of them).
We listened to many Adventures in Odyssey episodes as well as other kinds of audio productions—and, of course, music. We resisted having a TV in the car and instead listened to things together.
*New coloring/activity/sticker/ books are great—along with new crayons/colored pencils, etc.
*Fun snacks are a must! It’s a neat time to get things you don’t usually get or try new things.
*We always carried plastic shopping bags (the ones from the grocery store) for trash, napkins, and wipes.
DeLynn,
I think it’s so true what you said about bringing out things for a trip that are either new to the kids or else something they don’t get to play with very often. The novelty of those items definitely makes the trip go by faster and keeps them happier–two very good things.
Adventures in Odyssey has been a mainstay for a lot of kids through the years. Such great stories.
The apron Gage made is fabulous. I am hopeless with a sewing machine.
My dad was an excellent driver. He taught me to parallel park. I didn’t need to use that skill much until after I was married and we moved to a college town that had lots of parallel parking. We were in the minivan days then as we had young children (I’d go back to that time in a heartbeat!). I revived my skills and was able to parallel park that minivan with relative ease (that doesn’t mean that I didn’t look for an end spot to just drive in!). My skills have faded as I don’t need to use them all that often any more.
I have prayed for you, Becky. I trust your gloomies are fading or gone. May God meet your needs.
DeLynn,
What a great gift your dad gave you that has stayed with you through all the years. The thought of parallel parking a minivan makes me a little twitchy. 🙂 Kudos to you!
Thank you for letting me know you were praying for me; that really means a lot. Definitely having a better week and grateful for it.
I LOVE the gift that Gage made! I love homemade gifts the best!
Michelle,
I agree. Anything that is made with love and time is better than anything ordered from Amazon.
You make me laugh. That’s all I have to say 🙂
Lesley,
Ahh. Your comment made me smile. Thank you!
Years ago my father in law passed away in June in Florida. My husband got out his “ good “ shoes and discovered the sole coming off. I hot glued the sole on. It worked fine until the afternoon when the hot sun melted the hot glue and the shoe stuck to the sidewalk. I’m now forbidden to glue shoes.
Mary,
Oh my. Nothing worse in a marriage than being forbidden to glue shoes! 🙂
I hadn’t thought about a hot sidewalk wreaking havoc on a glued sole. Not a pretty picture!
I too have noticed when I have seen the Word of God anywhere when out and about
(which is very rare) It truly halts my steps.
It seems extra beautiful when set in the midst of the world’s hustle and bustle– a piece of peace –dropped into our minds–just a sentence will do.
The power is there.
Ruth
Ruth,
Just a sentence will do. That is so true.
I loved seeing that just plopped down so unexpectedly in the middle of the busyness of the store. A quite respite . . .
You make a very good point about the dressing rooms. I never thought about that before but it makes so much sense.
I used to parallel park often, but shy away from it now. I had a good teacher in driver training that made it easy. Now I always try for a pull thru spot even if I have to walk further. I don’t like backing up anymore.
I have glued shoes, nailed shoes, and sewn to repair shoes. Usually it is only a short fix and the shoes are doomed.
I have not heard of a foraging apron or egg apron, but what a great work Gage did.
My mom taught me to sew when I was 9. Made a lot of my clothes when I was in high school. Now I only want to quilt.
I haven’t traveled far with kids, but even on short trips (I used to take my friends 3 kids to Disneyland which was a 30 min drive.) I had a tin of small toys like come in kids meals. They would grab it as soon as they got in the car. They loved it because it was something they didn’t always have to play with. I think having something different to do is fun for kids. When we traveled cross county as kids we loved Auto Bingo. I think they still have sets at Cracker Barrell or online with retro toys. It was fun to watch and find needed items. I have seen great seat back holders for kids to fill with activities. I bet Gage could create some for the kids. We also love playing Alphabet and finding words on signs for each letter. That only works when going thru cities as country roads, like where I live now, have fewer signs.
Patti,
Gluing Nailing. Sewing. You are a persistent repairer of shoes!
How fun to live 30 minutes from Disneyland and how gracious of you to take your friends kids! I’m sure there were many joyful memories made.
I had forgotten about Auto Bingo. That’s a good one. And you’re right; Cracker Barrel has such great vintage toys. Always a good place to look.