Vintage: Turkish Rug Care and Info

This pretty rug is a "gift" (so is the marble table) from my late Parents. Bought from the country of Turkey years ago.  Mom & Dad loved to travel -- I hope to do likewise  -- and to shop.  

Looking at it reminds me of my Mom who liked the color orange.  My Dad came up with the downpayment $$$ to complete the transaction and finally  get the rug shipped from Turkey to Evanston.  

Hope to also travel to Istanbul, Turkey someday, God willing.  Below are a couple of links that will help Rug owners and potential rug owners. 

 Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

- Jeremiah 6:16

How to Care for Your Vintage Rug

What You Need to Know Before Buying a Vintage Rug

24 Reasons You Need to Buy Your Rugs Vintage







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Ten Years of Debt Erased

A 10-year ordeal has come to an end with my receipt of a final-payment check from Mrs C who owed me and my sisters mucho dinero via her debt to our deceased Parents.

Man, this experience felt like pulling teeth and getting blood out of a turnip.  Even our Lawyer was doubtful:  "I didn't think you'd get a dime out of her", says he. That's because from the beginning of the ordeal Mrs C adamantly refused to sign a contract agreeing to specific terms regarding her repayment.

Full of doubts and foreboding my sisters and I reluctantly agreed to her terms (read, no terms).  Months turned into years of reminder texts, broken promises, phone calls, partial payments, skipped payments (one dry spell lasted 6 months). She moved to two locations in two States but did not change her phone number, thank God.   We did not even know what she looked like -- we never met face to face! I contemplated filing a lawsuit more than once. Yet we hung on; trusting in nothing but God's faithfulness and Mrs C's promises. The day finally came when at long last it was over.  She did it!

I will dislike and even hate Mrs C for raking us over hot coals at times, but I am truly thankful to God for His grace that got us thru this long and difficult experience.  I can not forget our parent's part in this neither -- they were capable of lending huge sums of money to their friends with nothing but a gentleman's handshake to prove it. Wow, what trusting natures they had.

BTW, on her final note, Mrs C called me by the wrong name and put the wrong year (one more mean jab to keep me off-kilter, me thinks).  I am simply too happy to finally get her out of my hair for good that I can only respond with:  who cares, likewise,  and good riddance!!!

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: 

but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

Proverbs 13:12

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Our Family's Illinois Unclaimed Property Claim

8 years after the fact

Thankful for the relative who gave us the heads-up on unclaimed property (cash) that belonged to our deceased Mom and Dad. These were assets that remained under the radar when we three Sibs closed-out their individual accounts.

The names are posted by the state after 5 years of none-activity has been noted (most likely through death or neglect).

We certainly rejoiced after our initial shock. We got started on our claim and were told that it would be "just a couple of months" to complete the process.

By the time the check was issued to us by Illinois,  it was over a year later. The amount was 5-figures but had to be divided among the three of us. We were aware of 2 relatives who also had claims, but they were entitled to only about $100+ each.  Thus,  our check was huge compared to theirs.  So, I remain extremely grateful for my share of the $$$. Praise the Lord!  It will certainly help pay for our home renovation.

Check the link below for your name or your loved one's name.  You may be pleasantly surprised as we were. 

IL Unclaimed Property







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Wisdom is the Principal Thing: Remembering Mom on Mother's Day

In honor of all Moms for Mother's Day (May 13, 2018).
My mom passed away over 8 years ago, already.  Where did the time go?!  Unlike great speaker Rick Rigsby's mom who was a 3rd-grade drop-out, Mom was a college graduate -- the first in her family. She was smart in so many ways.

For we are saved by hope: 

but hope that is seen is not hope:

for what a man seeth, 

why doth he yet hope for?

Romans 8:24

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Barren landscape

There are two sections which never fail to catch my eye after we enter the cemetery. One, to the left, is the Muslim section (the sign says so). Invariably, there is a mourner or visitor present. Many of their plots have fresh flowers or plants; even balloons, baskets and toys. More than once, I've seen someone holding a hose and watering the sod (where are the spigots located, I would ask myself). And as mentioned, there is at least that one, ever-present mourner or visitor. On our way out of the cemetery,  there is yet another person driving in, making a beeline for this popular section. I have named their area The Hot Spot or The Happening. Muslims seem to truly miss their loved ones and are fervent to show their love and care.

Almost directly across from the Muslim section is a place that I've named The Neglected Ones. The keep-it-plain-and-simple area. What a contrast --- no flowers, no gifts, barely any memorial plants or trees.  I've never seen a visitor there. Just marker after marker of seemingly forgotten people. Is this an older section? Or a bargain-bin, no-frills-allowed spot? Maybe it's a section especially reserved for indigents? I don't know the answers; but what a contrast between this and the popular Muslim area. 

My parent's section is farther down. There are still flowers, plants, and other evidence of caring visitors, but it's taken on a lonelier air. Keeping in mind that we visit on weekdays, I've noticed that there is almost never anyone around except us. If this is the case even on weekends, I can't help but fear that the neglected/forgotten section, to the North, has started to creep-in and begin the process of claiming this area for its own . And this is barely 1.5 years after my Mother's death.

I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: 
I am like a broken vessel

- Psalm 31:12

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Andy Williams Fans & Moon River

Since my youth, I've been influenced by the music I hear.  Andy William's version of "Moon River" has just been played and I want to bawl like a baby.  My parents were fans of Mr Williams.  The lyrics of the song remind me of two lovers with dreams and hopes and doors of opportunity in front of them -- as my parents did many moons ago. Their marriage, their family life, their three daughters, their decision to move to the USA, their careers --- all were part of their personal "river" on which they journeyed as husband and wife.  And now, their trip is over. Their river has run dry.  They've reached the end of the rainbow. They're gone and, for the moment,  we can not follow.  

Moon River, wider than a mile, 

I'm crossing you in style some day. 

Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker, 

wherever you're going I'm going your way. 

Two drifters off to see the world. 

There's such a lot of world to see. 

We're after the same rainbow's end-- 

waiting 'round the bend, 

my huckleberry friend, 

Moon River and me.

(music by Henry Mancini,

 lyrics by Johnny Mercer)

7.8.23.18

Personal observations on Michelangelo, da Vinci, Flowers & Chanel

Pictures paint a  1000 words + a few more from me :

Dad's coffin that he personally chose: Decorated with Michelangelo's Pieta on the corners; sides decorated with panels of the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. Great choice, IMO.  My poor Mom on a wheelchair, transported by an ambulance crew plus a CNA & a Caregiver (4 adult people in total), for a private opportunity to say goodbye to Dad at the church.  Thank God for those who coordinated this not-as-easy-as-it-looks event.  My last glimpse of the coffin at the cemetery, its top covered with flowers placed by family and friends plus the white gloves of the pallbearers. Why do I feel sorry for the flowers?! The weather was cold with snow flurries.  The 12 "FREE" folding chairs that no one sat on except for my Chanel bag.  Each of the front row chairs had a bottle of drinking water, a rose, and a pack of tissue.  So grateful to my friend in the purple coat who hooked her arm with mine. My DH had his arm around my waist. I think of it as God's love and support on either side of me.

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My Mom, the Flower Girl

My Parent's Home, and
 their AWESOME Front Lawn

My love affair with flowers and green, growing things must have begun in the womb. My Mom has always had a green thumb and I've loved flowers, etc. ever since I could remember.
 These pics were taken at my Parent's home (which looks deceptively small), and the bottom two pics are from PMBC's garden. Mom now uses a cane as she easily gets out-of-balance. So, their front garden (aka front lawn, top pictures above) may not remain as lush-looking as it was in years past.
Will their popularity in the neighbourhood wane? I hope not. But, I want to enjoy the moment, and not long for the past. Thank You, Lord Jesus Christ, for my parents. As imperfect as they are, I bless your name for your care of me through my parents.

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