Facebook | Fonda French Blair

I love this kid. My little neice is so cute!!


Facebook | Fonda French Blair

Amazing Grace How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.....
My chains are gone, I've been set free....
Thank you Jesus!

So true!!
Quote form Greg Herder:

Being listened to feels so much like being loved that we can’t tell the difference.” We all know how we feel when someone is really listening to us and asking questions. We feel respected and valued. We feel loved, accepted, validated, and cared for. All of these feelings somehow free us to be ourselves, achieve our highest potential, contribute, and make a difference—in other words, to soar.

And what about the thoughts you have about yourself? Do you listen to yourself? Do you ask yourself clarifying questions? Do you respect and value yourself? Do you help yourself to feel loved, accepted, and cared for by you? Do you free yourself to be yourself, to achieve your highest potential, to contribute, to make a difference, to soar?

At a conference for CEOs led by Richard Boyatsis, author of Primal Leadership, he asked the people to think of someone who had positively influenced us in our lives or careers. We wrote down in general terms how this person related to us in order to produce such a favorable impact. Of the 150 CEOs that participated in this exercise most had identified similar attributes: They listened to me. They encouraged me. They trusted me. They saw a vision of me that I could not see.

We were then asked to recall someone who negatively impacted us, who we would never want to be like or work with again. Once more, we were amazed to have similar stories with common themes: They didn’t listen to me. They didn’t value or appreciate me.

Which type of influence do you want to be? Do you want to bring out the best in people? Or the worst? Do you want to inspire them to accomplish what is significant to you and to them? Do you want to light up the creative regions of their brains? Or do you want them to avoid you at all costs, to withhold help and ideas, or worse—to have their spark extinguished?


PS The frienship post is next

This email forward came to me from Karen via Elizabeth. It is a beautful story of friendship. I just want to take the opportunity to tell all of you who have been a friend to me, I do love you and you mean so much.
The part that was so neat to me in this story was that Kyle became so liked and even more popular than his friend, but it was the friend that made the difference. Without the touch of love and acceptance given by his friend, none of it would have been a reality. Kyle's life would have been so different. Your touch, your love , your care can make such a difference in someone's life even if it is just for a short time and it may be that no one will ever know what a difference you actually made!!

One day, when I was a freshman in high school,
I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school.
His name was Kyle.
It looked like he was carrying all of his books.
I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday?
He must really be a nerd.'
I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.
As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him.
They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt..
His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him..
He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes
My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.
As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks.'
They really should get lives.
' He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!'
There was a big smile on his face.
It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.
I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived.
As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before..
He said he had gone to private school before now.
I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.
We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books.
He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.
I asked him if he wanted to play a little football
with my friends
He said yes.
We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.
Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again.
I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!
' He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends..
When we were seniors we began to think about college.
Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke.
I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem.
He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship..

Kyle was valedictorian of our class.
I teased him all the time about being a nerd.
He had to prepare a speech for graduation..
I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak

Graduation day, I saw Kyle.
He looked great.
He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school.
He filled out and actually looked good in glasses.
He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him.
Boy, sometimes I was jealous!
Today was one of those days.
I could see that he was nervous about his speech.
So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!'
He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.
' Thanks,' he said.
As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began
'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years..
Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach....but mostly your friends.... I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.

I am going to tell you a story.'
I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the
first day we met.
He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.
He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.
He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.
'Thankfully, I was saved.
My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable..'
I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.
I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.
Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.
Never underestimate the power of your actions..
With one small gesture you can change a person's life.
For better or for worse.
God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way.
Look for God in others.

Kitchen update November 2009:
I just put away a bunch of the kitchen stuff that is still in boxes and cleared my workspace. I feel like I can do moe and better work.
There will be cabinets where ever you see tables. The tape on the floor marks out the island (4FT x 8FT) It feels so much better in here! More organized and more space!!

An old song that is going thru my head right now.

What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see
When I look upon his face, the one who saved me by his grace
When He takes me by the hand, leads me to the promised land
What a day, glorious day that will be

Check out John's TV stardom!

Taken from Sis. Tracie Smith's blog, Everyone should just go and read the whole article. I was convicted and inspired to do better this morning.

If you think little of a person, you ought to say as little as you think." - Ben Franklin

Earl Wilson, the first black American Leaguer to throw a no-hitter, once said, "If you wouldn't write it and sign it, don't say it."

This is the sight that greeted me as I loked out my window to my neighbors roof this morning. The cat was actually looking right at me and posing!!

Dear Jesus,
I really need a kitchen. Thank you for what you've done so far. I know I can count on you. Thank you in advance!
Love,
Your daughter,
Tina

TFTenney:
I want to be the best nobody God ever used!
This kind of went along with Sis. King's talk at ladies prayer today. Striving for excellence. We must be the best we can be in every aspect of our lives as we are the representatives of Christ.

From this:

to this:

Baked in this:


MUCH FUN and taste good to!!

Desperate or what???!!!!! That's just wrong! How sad. Her 14 year old daughter said her mother is embarassing her.




"We all know that the real estate market is really bad right now, but apparently it’s also very difficult time for finding love.

So, single mom and real estate agent Devon Traboscia came upon a brilliant (or brilliantly crazy) idea of selling her house … and herself on eBay and Craigslist:"

In the ad, Traboscia writes:

"If you want to live the never ending dream and experience the real love, life and the romance you have always felt was a fairytale then this is the vibrant outstanding woman of your dreams! To sweep this European Loving Lady off her feet send in your application right now."

She goes on to say that her four bedroom, 2,000 square-foot home, that will be included in the deal, has "neutral colors, Berber carpet, and upgraded tile".

Thanks Anna for sharing this with me. I did enjoy it and it makes me want to do better.

A Lesson Learned from Ken Blanchard


Dear Anna,
A few years ago I was invited to spend some time with Ken Blanchard at his lake home in upstate New York. Over the last 20 years Ken has probably sold more books than any other business author. His classic, The One Minute Manager, has sold over 10 million copies. He has also built a large training company with the focus on servant leadership and customer service.

I've had the good fortune to meet many successful businessmen, authors, and speakers during my career, but I've never met anyone that "walked the talk" more than Ken. He gets it. The first night of my visit to Ken's lake home, we were sitting on the deck with Humberto, his son-in-law, talking about some ways we could work together. It was about 10 p.m., when all of a sudden Ken jumped up and asked to be excused. He returned about 10:20 and Humberto asked "What happened?" Ken said,

"I can't believe it; I forgot to call Dorothy on her birthday."

Later that night, after Ken had gone to bed, Humberto told me that Dorothy is an 85 year old part time employee for the company. It then dawned on me that at 10 p.m. Ken left to spend almost 20 minutes talking to Dorothy and inquiring about how she had spent her special day. However, after spending more time with Ken over the next year, I came to realize that this was no fluke. This is who he is. The last time while visiting him at his San Diego office, I learned that one of his employees who worked in the warehouse had recently passed away. On that day, Ken had invited the employee's wife to come to his office. When she arrived, he spent an hour walking around with her carrying a tape recorder to record all of the wonderful memories that other employees had of her husband. When the wife left she said it was a day she'd never forget.

You see, what many leaders would have considered a waste of time, Ken saw it as an opportunity to serve and to thank his people. He doesn't do it because it's expected of him, he does it because he truly cares. It comes from his heart, and his people love him for being the servant leader that he is.

This is an old Chinese poem that offers wonderful advice for any leader:

GO to the people
LIVE among the people
LEARN from them
LOVE them.
START with what they know,
BUILD on what they have.
But of the BEST leaders,
When their TASK is accomplished,
Their WORK is done,
The PEOPLE will remark,

"WE HAVE DONE IT OURSELVES."

Taken form Karen Hopper's blog. Something to think about. Maybe reevaluate what's special to us.

"How true it is that in all our losses (the simple and the complex) we find ourselves fretting and worrying about those things we feel are very special to us. But think again, are they all that special or just a glob of melting substance that was there to satisfy our mortal appetite?"

Ladies retreat was a special time. It was very relaxing and laid back. The crowd was small, so it felt very personal and we were able to fellowship with one another and got to know some people we had only seen in passing before. Sis. Zilinski did a great job organizing everything and bringing it all together. Sis Oakes, the speaker, was very down to earth with a great sense of humor. Sis Dehod and I won a free registration for next year. Yay! The idea that stood out to me the most was eah night writing down the best thing that happeded to you that day, then at the end of the week writing the thing fron the list that was the best for the week, then the month and then the year. The idea was to change your focus from the negative to the positive. I am trying to do that experiment. All of it was good, but that is what I really brought home with me. The whole thing seemed to focus on how to be a Godly, victorious lady and Sis Oakes seems to exemplify that in her life , what little I saw of it. One lady recieved the Holy Ghost and a few others were seeking for it. Thank you Karen for sharing your room with me. It was a blessing to be able to go.

A couple of things rolling in around my mind this morning. I have not developed the thought, but am throwing them out anyways.
#1 The road between the promise and the fulfillment is sometimes VERY long.
#2 harvest then home

The first one has ben going over and over in my mind for a few days. The second were those words, acompanied by a semi, half awake sort of dream, of a farmer on a combine nearing the end of the day and anxious to get home, maybe they will mean something different to each individual. I know what they mean to me.
I hope everyone is having a blessed day!

"They that wait upon the Lord
shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with
wings as eagles, they shall
run and not be weary, they
shall walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31


Our God is a faithful and awesome God.
As a parent we put the needs of our children ahead of our own desires, as a realtor, I must put the best interest of my client ahead of my own interest. God is the ultimate Father and friend. he will always do what is best for us and that is not always giving us what we want, when we want it, or doing things the way we think it should be done. God's best often means a waiting process on our part. We need to learn trust. We can only know how strong our trust in God really is when things are upside down. That is where trust is tested. Even during the storms of life, God can and will bring something out of it that works for our good.

Okay! Here is my final decision for the dining room light. I really like this one. I think I will get the matching ones for the hall, the front entrance and possibly the pendants for over the island. If anyone wants to purchase the first ones, I am selling them for 1/2 price.

This is reprinted from Bro.Myles Young's blog. I am copying it here because there are some who read my blog that would never read his. I thought it well worth considering. I don't want to be in the camp or the company of Goliath or of goats either. I like David's camp and the sheeps pasture better!! I thank God for my shepherd!

Harold Bell Wright wrote the great classic "The Shepherd of The Hills" many years ago and what a story it is. This tale of love, mistakes, bitterness, anger and forgiveness has touched so many people through the years. At the center of the story is Dad Howitt...."the shepherd". If you haven't read it, you owe it to yourself to take the time to read it. While revisiting this story recently, my mind went to the role of shepherds in the scripture.



Shepherds are found everywhere in the scripture... I began to think about their significance and what they represent! When one goes down the path of scripture looking for shepherds, one cannot help but notice the sheep. We are the "sheep of His pasture" and we are in need of a shepherd.


The "throw-it-all-away" version of Pentecost doesn't care for shepherds. Oh, they like their blogosphere spiritist , and their "web-celebrity God experts" but an old-fashioned shepherd is not of much value (I don't think goats like shepherds either).


Running with people that do not like shepherds is to associate with quite a list of undesirables. Remember in the OT, where the scripture said that "to the Egyptians ALL shepherds are an abomination"...wow! Think about that a moment!


Do you remember the time that David was about to fight Goliath and Saul wanted him to wear what was "relevant" (lol). Hey, it made sense to Saul....oh, I forgot....he was no longer in proper alignment with God....hmmmm! David said said "I can't wear this stuff" and took it off. Have you ever noticed what David did? The first thing he did was...he picked up his "shepherd's staff". Look again at the old story of David & Goliath...what did Goliath mock? He took one look at this young man coming toward him and said...."Am I a dog to be chased by a staff". Goliath recognized that it was a shepherd coming to confront him. The giants that we are presently confronting are no different than Goliath of old. They still mock the shepherd.


Think on these things while "disposable Pentecost" is mocking the out of touch garb of the shepherd!

Apparently my dogs like pistachios. They managed to get the bowl off the coffee table and proceeded to carry the nuts all over the house. They actually shelled them, ate the nuts and left the shells, EVERYWHERE!!.
Don't they look innnocent?

I just got home from a week spent with my family in New Brunswick. It rained just about every day, but it was still good. I forgot my camera at home, so I have no pictures at all. My sisters and I with our husbands went to Bar Harbor again this year. It is such a beautiful spot!! I got to see some family that I wasn't expecting to be home at the same time as me when I booked my trip. My sister from Florida, Ken's sister from Ohio, and another of Ken's brothers and his wife and family. It was great to see you all!!
When I got home, Deidre and the girls were there to piok me up. When Lexy saw me, she ran and hugged me so tight. Her little arms and legs were wrapped right around me. I just loved that! When I held Allysa she just snuggled right in. That just melted my heart. It is good to be home.
The quilt my sister Lisa brought me matches perfectly. Thanks Lisa. I love it!

Some more random pictures of the house. Fonda, I have included some of the lighting. Let me know what you think.



My makeshift kitchen. I will be so thankful when we are able to finish the kitchen!!!



My Appliances. The fridge and the dishwasher are panel ready, which means they will have panels installed that are the same as the cabinet doors and will look like cabinets.






Below are some of the lighting choices I have made. They were not my first choice, but the ones I really liked were out of my budget. The dinig light I really loved was $800!! I have it narrowed down to the two below. One is quite formal and was the first one I put up. Then I went to a more rustic looking one. I am having a hard time deciding which one I like the best. Now that Ken has taken the first one down and installed the second one, I am leaning toward the first one again. Poor Ken, having to put up with me!! I would like your vote on the two. Which one would you choose? Keep in mind that I am trying to acheive a cottage look in this house.


2 upper bedroom lights are the same.


Angie's room ( This chandelier was on a really good sale and looks like it was made for her room. The base is a goldish metal similar to her wall color and the crystals are white and deep purple that match her bedspread and pillows.), John's room and the back entrance lights. (the back entrance light is my favorite of all.)



I used the same light fixture for the front entrance, hall and the foosball light.


We now have a temporary sink in the basement bathroom and a toilet in the upper bathroom. What a blessing. You don't really appreciate things like this until you don't have them!


Shower fixtures for the up and down baths


This is the pot filler that will be installed on the wall above the cooktop.