FIRST THINGS FIRST: I wanted to remind you that Lian’s blue dress set…the one called “Ready for School” is ending this evening on Ebay. You can see it HERE or click on the picture at the right sidebar and it will take you to the listing! —->
SECOND THING: I finally got to meet Jean’s wife… her name is pronounced Be-thar..it’s French and very pretty. It was a delight to meet her. When I went over to their apartment, and Jean opened the door, she was standing behind it and when she saw me, she took both of her hands and put them on my cheeks and stroked my face… several, several times! Then I heard her say to Jean, “I like!” I guess that meant she liked me! :o) She kept putting her hands on my face…you know like the kid in Home Alone… only many, many times. Maybe that’s a Haitian custom. It was raining cats and dogs today and my hair was a bit on the frizzy side so she kept touching it and fluffing it out… I could only laugh! She is 33, and well, you know… I’m not! Not even close, but in the car, she said I would be her sister while she was in America… At least she didn’t say I would be her MOM! :o)
Before she and I left for town, they wanted me to eat with them, so I sat down and had red beans and rice, chicken and a Haitian salad… it was very good!
She wanted to find new curtains for the kids room and some flip flops for one of her girls. We went to the Goodwill store first and BINGO…the first thing I saw was a set of beautiful olive green damask pinch pleated drapes… for $12.50! There was a wide panel…maybe 10 feet wide and another panel about 6 feet wide… This is the kind of drapes she needed for her apartment as there is a traverse rod and a big sliding glass window and door connected together. The drapes even had the little metal hooks that you hang them up with. I knew it was a “God thing!” They were in absolute mint condition, had the thermal lining and were from the Home Collection at J.C. Penney’s. SCORE! Then she found a few little girls dresses and was thrilled. She wanted some flip flops but we had to go to Walmart for them. She had never been in a Walmart store before and you should have seen her eyes! We found flip flops! But of course we would!
We went back to her house and Jean and I hung up the new curtains in the living room and took down the blue ones we had in there and put them in the kids room…they were actually one panel short in the living room, so there was kind of gap in them anyway. The new green ones looked really really nice in there! It was a wonderful visit with her and she knew just enough English that we figured things out. We had a good time and when I was about ready to leave, she said, “You look hot… I give you something to drink.” She poured me some juice and while she was standing there, drinking from a cup herself, she looked at me and said, “I love you!” It just melted my heart and made me forget all about my frizzy hair and the rain!
THIRD THING: I worked in my sewing room and wanted to add this part to my story, but it’s after midnight and so I’ll save it for next time… but I will show you something to keep you in suspense… and no…it’s not the white cabinet…
You’ll have to check in tomorrow to see what happened the rest of my Saturday…. :o)
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
How nicely everything turned out for both you and Be-Thar, Jeanne! Is that the way it is spelled? I certainly was thinking of poor you yesterday, when I saw the weather report! And more to come!
It’s so good to hear that Be-Thar found things at the Goodwill store, and it just hits home, since I took several boxes of things over to my local Goodwill drop-off station yesterday. I’m going through odds and ends, plus I bought a new picture to put over my couch, so out with the old!
Be-Thar sounds like a lovely woman, and she is so lucky to have you for a friend! You can’t go wrong with a friend like Jeanne Marie!
That drawer—what is the meaning? Aren’t those all AG shoes? Well, like you said, I will have to wait until tomorrow! Happy Sunday!
Hi Linda,
Actually her name is spelled Bitar…but it’s pronounced with a “th” sound…
She is very sweet and we really did enjoy ourselves yesterday!
You’ll see what the meaning of that drawer is in tomorrow’s post. .. :o)
Its wonderful though!!!
Blessings, Jeanne
A bit early for me today. Heading out for a second run trying to install a new water heater at the cabin. First one was defective so we had to bring it all the way home 3 hours and return it. Good thing, daughter and grandkids are meeting us there for lunch.
Thanks for sharing the meet Bethar story. Sweet.
As to the drawer of shoes, perhaps they are moving to a home in one of your new cabinets?
Wonder why the post says 7:21, as it is only 5:22 here. Must be on your time. 🙂
Hi Joy,
I do think the time is from IL zone…
You’ll see what those ate doing in yomorrows post. I love it!
Blessings, Jeanne
What a day! That was enough activity for two days. And you’ve promised us still more details.
The new living room drapes sound wonderful. And how nice that the children found new stuffed animals on their new beds (from yesterday). It sounds as if Jean’s wife has had no trouble adjusting to her new kitchen. You’ll have to tell us more about that salad.
If you are ever at a loss for what to sew next, you can just go to the AG shoe drawer and pick a pair, and then come up with an outfit to go with them.
We have a new grocery here in town. It’s very close to me, which is nice, and yesterday I figured out a way to park there easily. They have a good sized parking lot, and if I go at 7:30 am, there are free spaces.
Happy Sunday to everyone. We have been promised warm but cooler weather. It should be a nice week. I hope you all have the same.
Hi Marilyn,
I would have to agree with you…my day was pretty busy…and you only know about part of it!
The salad wasn’t anything fancy…it was lettuce leaves with 1/4″ cubes of carrots and onions on a plate. It was just pretty the way it was made up.
As I look at all those shoes, I am almost embarrassed…I think I have too many.
We have been promised rain, rain and more rain!
Thank you Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne.. This has to be one of my favorite posts ever! Written with so much kindness.. Paying is forward is just the BEST feeling in the world!
Hi Shara,
Thank you so much…sometimes I hesitate thinking maybe people really don’t want yo read a post like this, but I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Blessings, Jeanne
It is so moving to hear about Jean’s family. It brings happy tears to me. I’m so happy for Bethar’s happiness.
We have so much to be thankful for in this country.
Exemplar: I always dread going to Walmart because it’s so large and usually my list involves walking from one end to another. The acoustics bother me too- walmart just isn’t my cup of tea even though I shop there maybe once a month. Hearing about Bethar’s reaction, humbles me.
You and George are such great and giving people. I’m glad Jean and his family, as other mission families have, you two!!
I know the frizz hair thing. I’m trying to grow my gray out and it looks like a Brillo soap pad!! lol.
Loved the drawer full of shoes.
Thank you Paula,
It’s easy to like Bitar…she is a fun mom! One of the motto’s from our church is to make a home away from home for the internationals.
We’ve been doing it for years…
Thank you Paula,
Blessings, Jeanne
Exemplar? That word was suppose to be “example”.
What a wonderful, touching story about meeting your new friend Be-thar, Jeanne. I am certain you will have many more good times with Jean and all his family, and I hope you will continue to keep us updated. Maybe you can eventually share that Haitian salad recipe?
It’s a shoe clue! You are teasing us with pictures again, Jeanne! I think your AGs have more shoes than I do, and they are all so nicely organized. I think I need to go straighten up my closet now, LOL! Looking forward to pictures of the finished sewing room soon. 🙂
Happy Sunday to all!
Hi Anne,
The salad was just leaves of lettuce, chopped up carrots and onions but it was just arranged on the plate in a pretty way.
I KNOW my dolls have more shoes than I do… You’ll see tomorrow why I showed those shoes!
Blessings, Jeanne
Lovely story. Nice of you to be so helpful. It’s a good feeling to be helpful.
And–I love the drawer of shoes. Isn’t that anyone’s dream? Where did they all come from?
Hi Joy,
I’ve been collecting shoes since “forever” it seems! I like to see them all at one glance too!
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne