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Hard-working hands here

The days are passing like minutes. And the years like months. I simply cannot believe it's September and we are facing all the many activities (which I love!) of fall and the many, many activities (which I also love!) of the holidays in the very near future! It literally seems like yesterday that I put away my tiny white Christmas tree. I've already gotten out my pumpkins for my table, and my annual trip to Blue Ridge with my gal pals is on the calendar! I think I can say that (at least in my mind) fall is officially here!

Some late-summer/early-fall events are not so lovingly anticipated, like the constant threat of tropical storms and hurricanes that face our coastlines. The past couple of weeks have been filled with such events, that especially of the devastating damage Hurricane Harvey delivered to the Houston area and neighboring communities in Texas and Louisiana. Since my youngest lives in Houston, it's been especially tense for this mother 800 miles away, unable to do very little except pray for my girl, which is a great thing but you know we mothers like to be hands-on. She is safe, and that truly is the only thing that really matters, but her studio took on about 18 inches of water and she is working hard to bring things back to normal there. Right now I cannot say enough about how happy it makes me to know she has so many friends watching her back and there to help in her time of need. I am especially grateful for her fiancé who I know watches out for her and is her strong arm. He is a lifelong resident of Houston and knows the city inside and out, and he is always there for her, in the good and in the bad times. He is, to say the very least, a wonderful man, but he is so much more. He is full of grace like I've not seen many times in my life, and filled with so much wisdom for his young years. I know when they're together, they're safe and so much better than if they were facing life alone. If you want to help Abbie get her studio back on track, follow her on Instagram @boxsparrow with a private message to see how. She has truly traveled through some trying times to build her brand and is one of the hardest-working women I know. She never expects a handout and has worked so very hard for everything she has achieved. (Side note: Abbie has a show in Greenville, SC the weekend of Sept. 15th at the Indie Craft Parade if you want to see her and purchase some of her amazing work and show her some love.) This is usually her only event on the East Coast, so I will definitely be there loving on my youngest and thanking God that she is well! She will probably tell me to hold down the PDA because I am cramping her style!

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Just another side note here: Abbie was hesitant to have an online help line, but so many have asked how they could help in this time of need. In the sad reality of so many differing opinions in our country, so much turmoil and violence, so many fears coming at us from every angle, it is good to see people coming together to deliver the most important thing -- and really only thing -- every human being desires...the basics of life like food & water & shelter, and the desires of the heart and soul...acceptance, love, and support. As devastating as these times can be, it is in these times I think that we as members of the human race reset the clock, remembering that we truly are all the same and have the same desires for life, love, and happiness. It is our duty to help each other get there. These are the times we can make a difference in the lives of others.

Together, we can change the world, one little love deed at a time.

​Wishing you peace and love and hope today...

Abbie and Chap. Don't let the cool face fool you...he is a teddy bear

And, btw, renovation update coming soon...stay tuned!