My name is Margaret Austin. When I began this site (March 2014) I was a very-soon-to-be retired school teacher/reading coach. I AM now retired from my school district and have been blessed to work for the past three years traveling the US as a consultant with Pearson Educational Publishing Company. I loved my stint as a Curriculum Specialist with Pearson and met some imcredible teachers along the way. I recently retired from this position and now am taking an interest in all things domestic, including but not limited to: cooking, decorating, gardening, and developing hobbies as they come to mind. We are enjoying the freedom to travel on a whim and to devote time to collecting and selling antiques and awesome vintage items at Antiques Unlimited, our local antique mall in Sheffield, Alabama. We are also exploring online sales as well. Antiques, vintage and general junk has been a passion for MANY years. During my years as a classroom teacher I made much use of things no one wanted any more to make my classroom a unique and wonderful place to learn!!!
I have been married to my long-time sweetheart, Jimmy, for 40+ years. I am mother of two amazing sons, and one precious daughter-in-love. I am "Nana" to two cherubs who have enlarged our family circle and brightened our days to no end!
I retired in May (2014) from the primary school in my hometown. I have spent most of my life teaching and learning with small children and EXCEPTIONAL teachers who have become my dear friends. Leaving those friends and the security of my routine was traumatic to say the least. I really felt like I was jumping off a cliff!!! But He said to me ..... "Go on and jump. I have caught you before, and you know I am perfectly capable of catching you again!" So I made the leap of faith thinking ----- "I have babies to watch, places to go, flowers to plant, and hobbies to explore". I looked forward to this new season of my life with grateful anticipation. But I had no idea that He planned to add another adventure to my professional experience. He took me way out of my comfort zone, and as a result I am exploring many new activities I could not have imagined when I began this site last March! (more about that in blog post 1/21/2015)
As mentioned above, I gave up the traveling life (for work) and jumped off the cliff again into this domestic existance I have always wanted. So excited to have time to think, write, and wonder at the beauty of each early morning! In the past I HAD to get up early. Now I WANT to get up early - not to waste a minute of the calm beauty and nature sounds of dawn. It's really amazing that I do that. I used to be a night person. No more - early is best. I get so much more done.
I am thankful for my Lord, Jesus Christ, who has guided me along the way - through joy and triumph - through trials and challenges. His strength and wisdom are sufficient for every circumstance. Rest assured that He is faithful and strong enough for whatever you are experiencing.
I have ALWAYS liked to photograph and journal my experiences. I would like to dedicate this site to my journey toward living in His presence and experiencing His radiance to the fullest extent possible. I was inspired by Isaiah 60 (below). (Click on the BLOG feature at the top of the page for the most current entries.)
Margaret
I have been married to my long-time sweetheart, Jimmy, for 40+ years. I am mother of two amazing sons, and one precious daughter-in-love. I am "Nana" to two cherubs who have enlarged our family circle and brightened our days to no end!
I retired in May (2014) from the primary school in my hometown. I have spent most of my life teaching and learning with small children and EXCEPTIONAL teachers who have become my dear friends. Leaving those friends and the security of my routine was traumatic to say the least. I really felt like I was jumping off a cliff!!! But He said to me ..... "Go on and jump. I have caught you before, and you know I am perfectly capable of catching you again!" So I made the leap of faith thinking ----- "I have babies to watch, places to go, flowers to plant, and hobbies to explore". I looked forward to this new season of my life with grateful anticipation. But I had no idea that He planned to add another adventure to my professional experience. He took me way out of my comfort zone, and as a result I am exploring many new activities I could not have imagined when I began this site last March! (more about that in blog post 1/21/2015)
As mentioned above, I gave up the traveling life (for work) and jumped off the cliff again into this domestic existance I have always wanted. So excited to have time to think, write, and wonder at the beauty of each early morning! In the past I HAD to get up early. Now I WANT to get up early - not to waste a minute of the calm beauty and nature sounds of dawn. It's really amazing that I do that. I used to be a night person. No more - early is best. I get so much more done.
I am thankful for my Lord, Jesus Christ, who has guided me along the way - through joy and triumph - through trials and challenges. His strength and wisdom are sufficient for every circumstance. Rest assured that He is faithful and strong enough for whatever you are experiencing.
I have ALWAYS liked to photograph and journal my experiences. I would like to dedicate this site to my journey toward living in His presence and experiencing His radiance to the fullest extent possible. I was inspired by Isaiah 60 (below). (Click on the BLOG feature at the top of the page for the most current entries.)
Margaret
Rise and shine, for your light has come,
And the glory of the Lord rises upon you......
His glory appears over you..........
Lift up your eyes and look about........
You will look and be radiant,
Your heart will throb and swell with joy.
Isaiah 60: 1-6
And the glory of the Lord rises upon you......
His glory appears over you..........
Lift up your eyes and look about........
You will look and be radiant,
Your heart will throb and swell with joy.
Isaiah 60: 1-6
I believe that a smile is one of the first steps to radiance.
Don't you?
The images below make me smile!
Don't you?
The images below make me smile!
