Celene's Treasure Chest Giveaway Winner

Hi ya'll. The winner of the sign Giveaway at Celene's Treasure Chest is Penny from Miss Pootsie's Primitives and Glad Tidings Primitives and Folk Art. Congrats Penny. Everyone needs to check out her blogs. She has the cutest hand-did prim dolls. Make sure you bookmark my blogs and check back often as I plan to have ongoing giveaways.

I have not been blogging lately because I have been so busy with my business, craft shows, and my husband's mother, Martha has had a stroke. She is actually doing pretty great considering, Praise the Lord, but the hubby had to fly out to Washington for a week, so it's all been on me to get things done. Your prayers for Martha will be appreciated. Neither my mother-inlaw or father-inlaw are saved so please pray that God will use this stroke for His glory in thier lives.

On Friday I am flying to Sacramento for a really exciting family reunion of sorts. My 82 year old mom and my 3 sisters and I are taking a trip to visit my mom's last remaining sibling. My Aunt and cousins are excited we are all coming so they and their families as well as most of my cousins from all over the country have decided to make it a huge family shindig! Should be dozens and dozens of us all in one place at one time! Scaaarrryyy! LOL That doesn't happen often. Actually, it's never happened before so we are all really excited. I'll try to keep you up on what's happening on our trip as much as time allows.

Til next time...God Bless,

Celene

Another Free Giveaway!

I'm giving this cute wall hanging away at my Celene's Treasure Chest blog. It is hand painted on reclaimed wood and says "A Heart That Loves Is Always Young" It's 10" long and 4" high. I love this sign so much and hope you will too! All you have to do to enter is comment on this post. You may enter daily from now until May 26th. You can also enter by visiting my Celene's Treasure Chest blog. You may comment daily on the giveaway post there as well to double your chances of winning. Please visit both blogs and enter often. Good Luck! Til next time....God Bless,
Celene

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day Ladies! I hope you have a wonderful, family filled day and make lots of memories!

I am the daughter of a lovely 82 year old woman who has been there for me through thick and thin. We had a bumpy start. We were like oil and water in my teen years and I distanced myself from her much of my adult life. I moved back to my home town 12 years ago, let go of all the hurt and anger of my youth (finally!). I realize now how much harboring all that resentment for all those years kept me from really living a happy and fulfilled life. It affected every aspect of my life. I just wasn't aware that it went so deep until it was gone. Forgiveness and freedom go hand in hand. I was free to start all over again with my mom. For 11 years now, we reside next door to each other. An addition was added onto our home for Mom. She has a great apartment of her own and is totally independent, but right next door. For the first several years my mom was lively and spry. She got around better than I did sometimes. She was always on the go, dancing, traveling, enjoying life. Now she has a hard time getting around. I read an article in the May 6th issue of Woman's Day Magazine entitled "Bonus Years", that describes me as a Designated Daughter. I guess that pretty much sums it up. I have 3 other sisters, but I am the main caregiver. That's OK. I wouldn't change it for anything. God has given us a second chance and I appreciate it. We are great friends and confidants. We go to lunch together, doctor visits, shop together (mostly she sits, I shop) and often we just do nothing together. We see each other every day. She's been my rock and has taught me so much. I'm blessed and grateful to have the opportunity to give some of that back. Later this month my mom, myself and 3 sisters are traveling to Sacramento to visit her sister and our many California cousins. Our trip has snowballed into a huge family reunion. Cousins are coming from everywhere! Mom is so excited. She expects this to be her last trip to California. I expect it will be, too. Traveling is just too big a deal for her, so we are going to make every minute count and make some wonderful memories. I'm humbled the Lord chose me to be the Designated Daughter. Thank goodness that He doesn't leave these decisions up to us and knows what's best for us. I would never have volunteered for this job, but I am truly blessed to have it. The pay is great and the benefits are more precious than I could have ever imagined. This experience has made me rethink my priorities, given me new perspective. It has made me a better daughter, mother and grandmother. Thanks Mom, I love you very much. You're the best.

Til next time...God Bless,

Celene

Mother's Day Bracelet Giveaway Winner

The winner of the Mother's Day Bracelet Giveaway on my blog Celene's Treasure Chest is Janet Faye Congrats Janet. I'm sure you will love it. I am going to start a new giveaway next week so everybody check back to Celene's Treasure Chest . I haven't decided yet what it will be. Anybody have any suggestions? I own a little country store with all kinds of rustic country and primitive crafts, candles, vintage and antiques so if you have some favorites that you would like to see in my giveaways, please leave it in the comments as I plan to do ongoing giveaways on this blog. I'd really like to know what gets you excited about winning! Til next time....God Bless,
Celene

Last Day For Mother's Day Bracelet Giveaway and Flea Market Friday!

It's Flea Market Friday! Man, these weeks just fly by. Head on over to my other blog Celene's Treasure Chest to check out all my hand-did purties, vintage, antiques and primitive needfuls. While you are there make sure you enter by for the Mother's Day Bracelet Giveaway by leaving a comment. Today is the last day to enter so hurry on over and good luck!

God Bless,

Celene

Dentures, Oral Surgery and God's Provision

You know that feeling when all seems lost, then God shows up? My husband Bill recently had all his teeth pulled and had to wait 8 weeks for the swelling to go down in order to get his dentures. The longest 8 weeks of his life, I think. We went on a 65 mile journey to St. Louis to one of those same day dental places where you leave with your new smile that day. To make a long story short, Dr. Giganti, the dentist informed Bill that extensive oral surgery would be necessary before dentures could be made. This sent my husband into a tail spin as our dental insurance was maxed out and so was our checkbook! His worst nightmare was coming true. He may have to go without teeth indefinitely! The kind dentist took pity on Bill and made a phone call to an Oral Surgeon he knew, asking him for a favor. Could he see us immediately as we had traveled so far and could he work with us on the cost of surgery? God bless Dr. Giganti. Dr. Ervin Simmons told us to come right over to his office and he would work us in. Wow, what nice people! How often does such kindness and concern for perfect strangers in business in a big city happen? It was definitely a "God Thing". To make a long story short Dr. Simmons knocked $1,100.00 off the cost of the procedure in order for Bill to be able to afford to get it done! WOW!! Did I forget to mention that we prayed on the drive to Dr. Simmons office that God would provide a way for Bill to get the procedure done that we could afford. God gave me a number while we prayed which kept coming back to me as I waited out in the waiting room and sure enough it was the exact amount that Dr. Simmons charged Bill for the surgery! Like I said, a "God Thing". The good Doctor was terrific and his office staff wonderful. We are grateful for the kindness of strangers. Their desire to do a good thing for someone in need rather than go for the almighty dollar. In this day and age that is very rare. May God Bless them. If you are in the St. Louis area and in need of good dentist call Dr. Giganti. If you need an Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon, I highly recommend:

Ervin Simmons, IV, D.M.D.

3220 Parker Road

Florissant, Mo 63033

(314) 837-3232

I'm so glad we serve a loving God who provides for all our needs and I give Him all the glory. Until next time... God Bless,

Celene

Flea Market Friday

Yep, it's Flea Market Friday. That's where a bunch of us get together and have a virtual flea market blog. Mosey on over to Celene's Treasure Chest and take a peek at the Prims and Needful Things I've got. There's bound to be something you can't live without. Don't forget to visit the other folks participating in Flea Market Friday. And a special thanks to Counting Your Blessings for hosting us!

Til next time, God Bless.

Celene