I woke up this morning to my hubby saying, “You need to get up… Jean (It’s French so it sounds like Zhawn) needs to be moved out of his dorm room by noon and you need to help us move his stuff to Evergreen…” So, I got up and helped haul bags and clothes and coffee makers and rice cookers and suitcases and much more. Jean is the young man from Haiti I showed you who made the crayon art and the no-kill mouse trap a while back… in this post (HERE).
He has been a student here for a year and NOW his wife and three young children are finally able to come join him!!! He needed a bigger apartment so he moved into a place for married students. It was just a bare apartment earlier today but we rounded up a table and chairs, a couch and love seat, beds, mattresses, lamps, (I found curtains at the yard sale), kitchen things and lots more. Sara (my little sewing friend) and her mom and dad helped move Jean into his new place. Later in the morning, Sara went to town with me and we bought lunch stuff and had an “indoor picnic” at her house. They will be Jean’s neighbors! Jean’s children are 4 1/2, 3 1/2, and almost 2… He has really been missing them.
His apartment was bare when we started, but it’s starting to look like home for him now… I was out of data on my phone, so Sara’s mom took these pictures for me.
I actually did do a little sewing today… the curtain panels I got at the yard sale were very nice but they needed to be stitched together at the top to pull on the traverse rod…I stitched them at the top sections so it was one long drape. I used some of Sara’s sewing stuff! :o)
So… needless to say, since I got home at 7:30 this evening, there was NO time for sewing today, no time for planning the next doll dress, and no time for cleaning house here. I would tell you maybe tomorrow looks better, but my hubby has already told me we are going to an antique store about 25 miles away because a lady has some things for Jean’s apartment. My mom has an eye appointment out of town on Wednesday, so my week is looking pretty full. This wasn’t exactly how I thought my “anniversary” week would go… I never got your comments answered today but I did read them…Thank you for all your sweet comments.
I found out from Susette that yesterday was “Girlfriend Day!” How fun was that… will you all be my girlfriends? Couldn’t we have fun if we all got together? It would be fun to see who was the quiet one, who was the laugh-er, who was the one with the twinkling eyes, who had the best sense of humor, etc. I guess we’ll just have to be girlfriends from “afar!”
Thanks for all your guesses about the Yard Sale. We do have a winner… the closest guess as to how much money we raised for Missions at our Ginormous yard sale, (HERE) was Kathie Welsh! She guessed $3999.00 and we actually brought in $4057.94. She missed it by $58.94. Congratulations Kathie…I’ll get your Brownies in a jar sent out today!
Kathie, don’t think you have to make them right away…one time I made some for my brother and his wife waited 6 months before making them and he said they were still great. Just wanted you to know…
So, it’s now 12:50 and I should have been in bed 2 hours ago… but I’m going in a minute. There will be another giveaway later in the week… I just can’t promise you what day just yet… :o/
Thank you everyone… for your guesses, your friendship, your concern, your compliments, your bids, your daily comments, your encouragement and your patience with me when life gets busy and I don’t get any sewing done!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Looks like I’m first to comment tonight, Jeanne!
First of all, congratulations on two years of blogging! For some reason your post didn’t get to me yesterday, so I read it online tonight. Also, happy girlfriends’ day, a litle late!
Congratulations, too, on your succsessful yard sale–and to Kathie for winning with the closest guess as to the amount raised!
It’s so nice that Jean’s wife and children will be able to join him at last! You have his new apartment fixed up nicely; I’m sure they’ll be very comfortable there!!
Hope you have a chance to catch your breath and rest a bit now!! You’ve earned it!
Thank you Charlotte,
The 2 years has flown by! I can’t believe it myself!
A few other ladies have said this last week they were missing a post or two a few of the days. And a happy Girlfriends day to you too…
We got a few more things for Jean today but we just realized… he has 3 little kids and we are going to need 3 car seats when we pick them up at the airport on Friday… and sadly, we sold 2 really nice car seats at the yard sale…we were given them the morning on the sale and just weren’t thinking…
I did catch a nap this afternoon… I really needed it!
Thanks Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
How very sweet of you and George to make the time to help out Jean’s family! We n3eed more people like you two! His wife must have had quite a time last year with 3 little ones all by herself. I’m sure they will be thrilled when they see their new apartment!
I was way off on the amount you made at the garage sale, but congratulations to Kathie! You have that jar wrapped so prettily that I don’t think I would have the heart to open it up!!
HI Linda,
Thanks so much for your kind comments. It’s easy to help people who are appreciative…it’s the ones who aren’t that take extra grace!
I wish I had more chocolate chips… I think I’d make some brownies for us tonight… George and Rebecca got into my bag and just saved enough for my jar… silly peeps!
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Congrats on 2 years, Jeanne, in case I forgot to mention it yesterday. That’s alot of faithfulness on your part. I’ve certainly enjoyed reading your posts each day since I found your blog.
And congrats to Kathie Walsh on her guess of your yard sale $$. Your brownie mix will be a fun treat for her, I’m sure.
Your kindness to Jean and family is stellar. I trust the trip to the antique store today will hold some eye candy for you.
Do take care. It’s going to be hot here these next few days so, if we, a few hundred miles north of you are hot, then I’m sure you are too. I’m grateful for the A/C in weather like this, otherwise, well, there’d be alot of quiet sitting and quiet activity I guess as we “swim” through the summer.
May you find your dolls and sewing machines happily smiling and humming away when you get to return to them.
Stay cool and rested.
PS…YES! I’ll be one of your girlfriends…I think I’d probably be one of your quietest ones.
Thank you Becky…so you’re our quiet girlfriend, huh?
We did find a few things for Jean today and they’re in the wash right now… the Salvation Army Thrift store came through for us today! We went to the Antique store but I was so draggy, I really wasn’t in the mood for looking…I walked around the store a few times while my hubby was taking care of some things, but I just wanted a nap!
I did get one when we got home… a MUCH needed one!
I have a mound of dishes to do, but so want to go in my sewing room and decide who is getting the next dress. Maybe if I hurry I still can… :o)
Thank you Becky…it’s always nice to read your comments!
Blessings, Jeanne
How wonderful Jean was able to find a new apartment for his family. I’m sure it will be quite an adjustment for his wife/children. Good thing their church family will be there for them. The apt looks perfectly set up for little ones.
Congrats to Kathie for the closest guess. Good Job!
Maybe you can rest in the car while driving to the antiques place. Maybe a quick browse around while you are there? Maybe lunch on the way back? Maybe a moment for yourself today? 🙂
HI Joy,
Jean’s dorm that he was in before was so small and this new married student apartment is so much bigger. He loves all the space… It was sort of sparse looking when we pulled the door shut behind us last night, but it still looked homey and comfortable… We did find a few more things for him today, but it’s hard to think of everything you need for setting up a new house.
We did go to lunch today on the way back home…and caught up on things between us… and then we got home and took a NAP! Hallelujah… it was like we were both zombies today… walking but not really alive!
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Congratulations to Kathie! The jar is beautifully wrapped, and if you give us the recipe, she can use it again and again and the rest of us can try making our own, a nice end of summer project.
The new apartment looks so neat, but I’m not worried — 3 small children will have it looking like home nearly instantly.
I am glad you are going to an antique store, even if it’s only to pick up donations. Who knows what you’ll see that you can repaint or restore and enjoy.
You asked the other day what our favorite yard-sale buys were. Many years ago, when yard sales were a fairly unusual idea, my mother saw that a woman who lived only a few blocks away was selling Haviland. At that time we were only beginning to think it would be nice to have some. I got 5 matching soup plates for $5. I still have them and like them as much as on the day we bought them.
My mom used to say that she was too old to start collecting Haviland. One day one of my sisters and I said, “You are not going to be able to start buying Haviland any earlier. Time doesn’t work that way. If you love it, why not enjoy buying it now?” She agreed, and she willed it to me.
After she died, we put it all on the table and I walked around, deciding what I couldn’t live without — I already had a fair amount of my own — and told my sisters to divide it. Each ended up with a fair sized collection and nearly every piece has a story. I took the two left-over pieces. My father left a letter talking about his life. My mother didn’t, but she did leave things. If we write about them, we will have a story of her life to pass on. A lot of it started with my soup bowls.
HI Marilyn,
I guess I’ll have to give out my brownie recipe… but maybe in a little while. I’m thinking of going to see my little sister in Springfield, MO in about 2 weeks and that’s a post I can do ahead of time and have it scheduled to go on while I’m away.
The Married Student apartments are actually pretty nice…not fancy but nice and clean and since he’s on the bottom floor, he won’t have to worry about the balcony…
I was too tired today to enjoy my visit at the antique store. I wandered around a few times while George was busy with things, but I found a chair and sat down in it. I put my head back and it felt so good. I heard the bell ring on the door letting me know someone new had come in the store and I had the hardest time getting up. After that I was like a zombie and just wanted to go to bed. Which we both did when we got home… a nice 2 hour nap!!
How nice to have the dishes and still enjoy them… and remember the stories associated with them..and just think it all started with soup bowls… that’s a nice story in itself, Marilyn.
Thanks for sharing it…
Blessings, Jeanne
How kind of you to help Jean move. I’m sure he and his family will be thrilled with their new apartment. I’m sure they are looking forward to being reunited.
Congratulations on your blog anniversary. I’m sure we can except many exciting posts in the future. I know I enjoy getting together with all the girlfriends on here s we have many things in common.
Your church’s yard sale seemed to have gone very well and I’m sure the missions appreciate your commitment.
Seems you have another busy week coming up. Enjoy the antique store, even if it’s only to pick up things, I would find a few minutes to browse 🙂
When you do get back to sewing I think it may be time for Kit to model a dress. I believe you’ve only sewed one for her since she arrived, or perhaps Rebecca (Victorian). Rebecca is really a lovely doll. I just wish you wig wasn’t so thin as I have heard.
Thank you Laura,
Yes, Jean and his wife can hardly wait to see each other… I can’t imagine being away from her and especially his kids…he’s a really loving guy so I bet he’s a great dad!
It is fun to get on here and see what each of us are doing, isn’t it?
Oh really, Kit’s only had one chance at modeling.. poor thing.. you’ve kept better track of it than me! I’ll have to see what we can do about that…
I went through 3 Rebecca’s before I found the one I wanted to keep…her hair is pretty nice…
Thanks Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
Congratulations to Kathie for winning the contest with her close guess of the yard sale total! I’m sure the brownies will be as tasty as the jar is pretty. Awesome job decorating it, Jeanne! Blessings to the missions, too, as I’m sure they will put every penny to good use.
How nice that you can help welcome Jean’s family with such a tidy and well-furnished apartment. The drapes you stitched will work well at the patio for privacy. Amazing that you were able to accomplish the task with only Sarah’s sewing kit! All the best to Jean as he and his family begin a new chapter together.
I know you are most content when thinking of others, Jeanne, but perhaps you can allow yourself a little extra time with your head on the pillow this week. 😉 Take care!
HI Anne and thanks for the compliments on my “jar” decorating skills… I like doing them because every one can be different… :o)
It is really fun to see family’s come here and get started on this new chapter of their lives. I think this is the 3rd family we have helped get started… it’s always so sad when they graduate and leave though…
My head did hit the pillow this afternoon when we got home… both of our heads hit the pillows…mine a little longer than my hubby’s!
Thank you Anne,
Blessings, Jeanne
OMGosh! I am so thrilled to win your special brownie mix Jeanne! I almost didn’t get to log on today because apple had an update that was dealing me fits.
I think I guessed pretty high because you were so smart to make the Sale Donation Only. I’m convinced people give more that way…and it saves all the time it takes pricing each thing and then haggling over a dime or quarter.
Thank you Charlotte ,Linda ,Joy, Marilyn and Anne..for the Congrats! I guess I haven’t thought of mentioning the others in a comment but you all and Jeanne certainly fit into the
“girlfriend” category . We all love Jeanne’s Blog!
Thanks again….several of the g kids have already asked ” when” the Brownies will be made!
Kathie
HI Kathie,
I have to confess, your brownies didn’t make it out in today’s mail. I searched my entire house, upstairs and downstairs and didn’t have a box to put the jar in. I went to town but it was too hot to take the brownie mix with me… I thought they would get to hot in the truck,and the chocolate chips would melt, so I left them at home… I did get a box at Staples on the way home and they’ll go out tomorrow… Sorry about the grands asking for them… in a few days they’ll be there… sorry for the delay…
I’m glad you enjoy reading my blog Kathie…it’s always nice to hear what you have to say and you have been very generous to me…
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne head to bed! I keep reading and know it is later where you are. Get some rest!! Please.
We went to Mc Donalds today. First time in probably 20 years. Had to buy a toy. They have out all of the new movie pets. Perfect size for the dollies. 🙂 And here in northern CA they now have garlic fries. Garlic from Gilroy here in CA. And they were good. 🙂
HI Joy,
I am going to get to bed earlier tonight… it’s 9:01 here and I hope to be in bed by 10:00 at the very latest.
I’ll have to check out the McD’s toys too… they sound cute!
Garlic fries? My daughter Rebecca, LOVES garlic… I’ll have to tell her… but of course, she’s into the “healthy” garlic stuff so it might not fly with her… we’ll see…
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne