~SWEETNESS FROM GOODWILL~

~MY FAVORITE GOODWILL FIND!~
(Fabulous Old Rose Print)

While shopping at a pretty large thrift store (aka: Goodwill) in my sister's Tennessee town the most incredible thing happened (and NO it wasn't finding the amazing print above although that was pretty GREAT)!  I Honestly think this was a God-thing and the entire experience was both mind boggling and fun!

 ~MEETING UP WITH MISS PATTY~

I was walking up and down the store's aisles looking at a bunch of super-fabJUNQUE when a sweet little voice behind me said:

"Rebecca!?"

At first I didn't turn around because my sister calls me Becky and has introduced me to all her friends as Becky.  I was pretty sure whoever was saying the name REBECCA wasn't directing their comments to me...

Anyway, just to make sure I turned around ever so slowly only to find a lovely lady with blond hair staring at straight at me...

~BEAUTIFUL LADY~

Then she said:

"ARE YOU REBECCA?"

Now you must understand I was 650 miles or so from home and I couldn't imagine who would know me by my name, Rebecca!

"ARE YOU REBECCA FROM
A GATHERING PLACE?"

Right then (as my voice caught in my throat and I picked myself up off the floor)

I smiled big and said:

"YAH-ESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS????!!!!"

Come to find out the lady is a sweet blogger friend named Patty who lives in Tennessee (I think a couple of towns away) and just HAPPENED to be shopping at the same place I was at the very same time!  I couldn't believe it!  We've chatted by email before and I was thrilled to meet her in person!  Her handsome hubby was there, too, and I give him the credit for figuring out the camera on my phone (Thank You, Mr. Patty!)!!!!  He snapped this picture of the two of us because I'd left my camera in my SUV.

We stood there and talked for at least 30 minutes or so and shared and shared and shared.  I just love her to pieces and the unexpected meeting reaffirmed for me something I've always believed.  God directs our every step!  I never have and never will believe in coincidence.  Meeting Patty in person was meant to be and I was so blessed by her kindness and grace.  For sure a new forever friend!

Isn't life sweet?

Yes!  Yes it is!

Love to you this Monday...

~A PEEK AT OUR TRIP...and a Little Bit of Sweet Shabby Cottage Shopping~

On April 1st my hubby and I pulled out of our driveway and began the eleven hour drive to my sister Linda's home.  Between my Mr. AGPMan and I this would be our third trip to the beautiful state of Tennessee in less than a year.

Our visit last June had been unplanned but we just had to see our brother-in-law while he was in the hospital recuperating from a serious stroke.  Last August my hubby returned with my brother to do some remodeling work on Linda and Greg's home.  You may remember my blog post from last summer about how the two of them worked for about a week to make their home wheelchair accessible.  Seven days wasn't long enough for them to finish all the work that needed to be done so my guy and I made plans to return in the spring.

Our drive out was uneventful (thank you, God!)and after resting that night we got straight to work.

We did stop to enjoy Easter Sunday and it proved to be a lovely day.  We lunched at my niece's charming home after church and I loved seeing her all grown up with a house to call her own!  Below is a picture of my gorgeous blue-eyed sister and her two beautiful girls, April and Cathrine.

 

 Handsome Greg

Every year since I became a Mom my Mr. AGPMan, if at all possible, would snap a picture of me with our children on Easter Sunday.  Since this is the first time away from them on this special Sunday he took my picture alone.  Gosh I missed them and my Miss K!  Maybe I can PhotoShop them in!  :) :) :)

During the week my guy worked on things like this:

And this:

 While my sister and I worked on things like this:

 

And this:

Between Linda and I we managed to finish window treatments, paint tables and accent pieces (like mirrors, frames, candlesticks, etc.) and haul furniture to the upholsterer!  Thanks to my hubby's talent he was able to rebuild walls, floors, ceilings and trim and also hang new lighting fixtures and install a new oven.

The last two days of our visit my sister and I were able to get away for a little bit of fun!  We made our way to FRANKLIN, TN for a day of antique shopping and junking.  This is what we looked like as we walked out the front door:

(Gotta LOVE the ROOSTER COMB

on top of my head?  GAG!)

We visited this darling neighborhood on the way...

 A Westhaven Street

Franklin, TN

And...it is in THIS little community that you'll find the truly breathtaking house that St. Jude's Children's Hospital (located in Memphis) is RAFFLING off for charity.  Cost for a raffle ticket is $100.  The  value of the home is approximately $550,000 and is just fabulous.  I just loved seeing it in person!  If I win I just MAY have to move there (wonder how my son and daughter would feel about that...not to mention my Miss K!?).

St. Jude's 2010 Charity Home

Westhaven Community, Franklin, TN

After meandering our way around the neighborhood for about 30 minutes we drove on into Franklin and stopped at THE IRON GATE.  This darling shop has been showcased in Romantic Homes Magazine from what I understand!

The Iron Gate 

(Front Window)

Luxurious Linens

 Stunning at $4,500+

 

Rebecca's in Franklin

(Fabric, Upholstery, etc.)

Even though I have no desire to EVER own another brick and mortar store, I must admit that if I did I would have to have a window sign just like this one!

My sister and I returned to her home with LOTS of treasures.  I found a darling pair of hand painted, pink rose salt and pepper shakers, old laces and crochet, three fabulous vintage chairs (two that are 2die4), two sweet chest of drawers and one darling little dresser with a mirror...plus so much more!

Like I told you yesterday...we hauled it all home in this:

I'm a Die-Hard Junker

(Did You Know That?)

I'm a wimp when it comes to pulling a trailer...so, Mr. AGPMan did MOST of the driving!

Tomorrow or Thursday (still tired here!) I'll give you a peek at what's inside!

Golly...I sure missed you!

Blessings~