I am grateful for...

On this Thanksgiving Day 2019, I am grateful for...

The love and support of my God, no matter what kind of person I have been on any given day.  Knowing He still loves me eternally.

The beauty of the earth in all its forms.  God was on top of His game when He created it.

Over 40 years with a man who can still make me laugh, surprise me and fill my heart with the same passionate love from that first date.


The continued good health in body, mind and spirit of my family.

Memories of a 60+ years life to remember and share.

Watching my children become the adults I knew they would be with good, kind, loving hearts and the
courage to share their dreams.

Seeing that my boys have good women in their lives who love them almost as much as their mother does.

Parents who taught me about romantic love between soul mates, the strength of a unified family who can get through any adversity and the belief that it is what is inside a person that is most important.

The appreciation of the small things in life--hearing the coo of the morning doves, watching mares graze in the field, the smell of freshly mowed grass, the taste of hot orange tea in my nanny's teacup on a rainy morning, the touch of my husband's hand when we are out for a walk.

Food on the table, a roof over our heads, a comfortable secure retirement life.

Time to pursue past times, travel with my husband and just enjoy day to day living.

Books that you hold in your hands, turn the pages and appreciate the beauty of how they look; music of all genres that lift you up or calms you down and art in all mediums that makes you wish you had just a small percentage of the talent the artists have.

Being a cat mom and a dog & cat grandma.

The ability to appreciate the positives in my life especially on days when there seems to be more negatives.

November Visitors

When we woke this morning, we found 15 of these wild turkeys having a nice morning meeting in the front yard.

Trust

I live on a 40 acre farm filled with forests of maple, oak and white birch trees,
wild raspberry bushes and animals of all kinds. I love to walk the land and
marvel at what God has created for me and my family to reside in and enjoy.
It truly speaks of the goodness and greatness of our God that He could create
such beauty.

I truly appreciate these wonders every day but more so when I am faced with a
problem or a confusion on a decision that must be made or distressed about the
state of the world today.  It is at these times when I find that I must go and walk
through this place of nature to hear God's voice.

For two months, I had been fervently praying to God to help my youngest son find
his path in the midst of a personal dilemma.  I knew what he needed to help himself
see his life in a more positive light but no matter how I tried to "convince" God
that my idea was the best idea, He did not answer.  I was becoming frustrated and
even angry that He was not "listening" to me.

One afternoon I decided "enough was enough" and went for a brisk walk among  the
trees which were now dressed in their colorful finery for Autumn.  As I walked, my
steps slowed and became more relaxed and finally, I stopped and looked up into the
sky and said, "God, I need to hear Your voice.  What do You believe is the best way
for him to go?"  As I walked back to the house, I prayed on the words that I had just
sent to Him.  Upon reaching my front door, I knew what He had been trying to tell me
all along.
                             "Trust me.  I will give him the path to see.  Trust in me."

A Week's Worth of Slo-Cooking

This past week has been one of getting the house ready for winter.  Extra insulation on all the windows as well as the back door we don't use during the winter months, cutting up and storing wood for the fireplace in the house, putting flannel sheets on all the beds, getting all the deck furniture stored in the garage while the cushions are stored on shelves in the laundry room, tacking down indoor/outdoor carpet runner on deck from front door to steps so I don't slip and fall this winter, and finally, preparing food to be stored in the freezer and pantry shelving for when the weather keeps us from going grocery shopping.

Since all  this work takes both of us, the slo cooker has been a life saver for meals as well as leftover lunches this week.

*Sunday - Turkey Breast

*Monday - Beef roast w/potatoes, carrots, celery and onions.

*Tuesday - Beef Chili

*Wednesday - Whole Chicken

*Thursday - Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

*Friday - Old Fashioned Boneless Pork Chops

*Saturday - BBQ Chicken wings

October Message I Want To Share

I read this article a few weeks ago and just loved the message it sent.  Thank you Christina for allowing me to share it on my blog.

5 Lessons for Family Life: Learning From St. Thérèse and St. Teresa of Ávila

By Christina Mayeux on October 9, 2019

The month of October brings with it crisp, cool air, falling leaves, and football. For Catholics, it also brings the feast days of two special Carmelite saints: St. Thérèse of Lisieux on October 1 and St. Teresa of Ávila on October 15. These two Teresas hold a special place in the hearts of devotees worldwide and are powerful intercessors in time of need. Although they were both cloistered nuns who lived years ago, their lives and writings can serve as guides for us in our family lives, even in modern times. We can look to their teachings for wisdom in attaining holiness and apply it to our own lives and to the way we form and raise our children.

Pope Paul VI said, “The family is, so to speak, the domestic church. In it parents should, by their word and example, be the first preachers of the faith to their children.” (Lumen Gentium #11) We are obligated to create and maintain a spirit of love and communion within the walls of our homes and to foster spiritual growth and love for God in our children.

Just as St. Thérèse and St. Teresa lived out their religious vocations in their respective Carmelite communities, we are called to live out our vocations as wives and mothers in the “domestic churches” of our homes. What can we learn from the lives of these two saints about Christian motherhood?

1.  Bearing patiently with the faults of others. Members of religious communities live in close proximity with each other and must exercise charity and patience. Similarly, in a family, we must love one another and bear with each other’s faults and shortcomings. Within the pages of St. Thérèse’s diary are many examples of her heroic dealings with the slights she encountered from her fellow sisters, along with her kind and gentle responses to their faults. She refrained from complaining when splashed repeatedly with dirty water at the wash pool. She smiled as she assisted an older nun who found fault with the saint’s every action. Her example of charity and virtue is an example to us all as we strive to live in harmony within our families.

2.  Finding God in all things. “Everything is grace,” St. Thérèse remarked. In our daily lives, do we see God’s hand in the events that unfold, both good and bad? We don’t need to go in search of profound spiritual experiences to do God’s will. St. Teresa of Ávila was a very practical woman and once said, “God walks among the pots and pans.” What a comforting reminder these words are! We can be assured that by performing the mundane tasks of motherhood, we are, indeed, fulfilling our mission and our vocation and God is present as we go about our day.

3.  Prayer is key. St. Teresa of Ávila is known for her mastery of the art of prayer. She emphasizes the need for all the faithful to practice daily prayer, which she describes simply as a friendly conversation with Jesus, who loves us. Though we may be busy during the day, we can set aside a time for prayer to reconnect with the Lord.

4.  Trusting and depending on God. A hallmark of the lives of both of the Teresas was complete trust and dependence on God. They credited their spiritual success on his grace and power and took no credit for themselves. Like little children, they depended on God for everything and they were not disappointed.

5.   Loving God above all else. St. Thérèse declared that her vocation was to LOVE, and to love God above all else. In a letter to her sister Celine, she eloquently exclaimed, “There is one ONLY THING to do here below: to love Jesus, to win souls for Him so that He may be loved. Let us seize with jealous care every least opportunity of self-sacrifice. Let us refuse Him nothing – He does so want our love!” In the vocation of motherhood, we can feel pulled in many directions. Like Thérèse, we can remember that if we seek God first, everything will fall into place and we will have peace in all our daily activities.

Copyright 2019 Christina Mayeux

For more writings from Christina, her Facebook page is @thewayofthewildflowers & Twitter is @czmayeux

Saturday Smiles - 10/12/2019

*My youngest son surprised us with visit to help put away furniture on both decks.  This was a great help.  It's amazing how hard it can be for 2 senior citizens to put away deck furniture for the winter.  Probably just as hard bringing it all out in the spring.

*Fulfilled a bucket list item by flying first class to visit our son and dil in Nevada.  We always wanted to experience first class but never could afford it.  This time we decided to go for it.  Wow!  What a difference in flying first class.  We loved it!

*Airline refunded us money on two first class tickets that we had prepaid for and had to change to seats in coach when we missed our flight connection due to weather coming home from visiting son and dil in Nevada.

*Been on Intermittent Fasting diet for one month, gave up soda and have been on a low carb diet as well.  I have kept up my walking doing between 1 mile and 2 miles per day as welI.  Have lost 15 pounds.  Great incentive to keep going.

Posts Few and Far Between Lately

I haven't been posting in awhile due to being away visiting my son and dil in Nevada and being laid low by the flu (which I caught in an extremely cold air conditioned airport).  I am feeling better every day so will be posting a little more often.

SATURDAY SMILES 9/21/2019

*  I am getting ready for my trip to Nevada to visit my oldest son and dil.  I am so excited.  There is also a new member of the family...a new grandpuppy by the name of Buster.  Sadly, my son's dog, Snoofer, passed away in June and they both have been so sad.  I was happy to hear that they went to the animal shelter and adopted another to lavish their love on.  I can't wait to meet my newest grandpuppy and see the kids!

*  I've discovered a new book series.  I love to read a book series.  The characters, setting and story lines become so familiar that you swear you are living in the same place and know them as neighbors, friends, family, etc.  The only problem with reading a series is that I get caught up and have to wait, what seems like forever, for the next one.  I started with Sue Grafton's alphabet series which got me hooked on book series.  Then I went to Joann Fluke's "Hannah Swenson Mysteries".  Now I am happily involved in Jenn McKinlay's "Library Lover's Mysteries".

* Our neighbor came by while my youngest son was visiting.  They talked for a bit and then my son headed for home.  A little while later, my neighbor returned with a jar of homemade bread and butter pickles (yum) and as he was leaving, he said to me "Your son has grown into a fine young man."  I agreed wholeheartedly with a big smile.  It was nice to hear someone say that other than family.

*Since we are getting to the end of the month and it will soon be time for our big monthly grocery shopping, we decided to clean out the freezer before filling it up with all the winter comfort food.  After pulling everything out of the freezer downstairs and putting it in the refrigerator freezer in the kitchen, we have been creating menus for each item.  I am happy to say that we have used up a lot of food items and there will be plenty of room in the downstairs freezer for winter comfort food.

A Rave and a Rant!

My husband and I went out of town for a few days and on the whole had a very good time.  We discovered new shops and new restaurants in a place where we have been going for years.  It was such fun to make new discoveries in an old familiar place.

First, the Rave. 

I always go to Barnes & Noble when we visit this city.  It is my happy place.  Books, Vanilla Cappuccino, music, bathrooms, cafe...I could live there.  I have a member rewards card which I use to get discounts on my purchases including my vanilla cappacinos.  I was standing in the line to get my favorite delicious drink behind a woman who was also ordering.  The clerk asked her if she had a rewards card, she said no.  I pulled mine out and said, "use mine."  The clerk took it and told the woman she would get a discount on her order using my card.  The woman looked surprised and turned to me and thanked me.  This is something I do fairly often just as a small kindness to someone else.  I thought nothing more about it and sat down at a table with my drink and books.  A few minutes later, the clerk came up to me and set a plate with 2 large cookies on it in front of me.  I explained that I had not ordered them but she smiled and said that the woman I had let use my card ordered them for me as a thank you.  What a thoughtful gift on a Thursday afternoon.

Now, my Rant.

My husband and I were driving on our way home from our mini vacation and stopped at a traffic light.  I looked at a house next to the road and saw that the resident had hung an American flag on the front porch.  It had the blue field with white stars and white stripes but in place of the red stripes were images of AR15 rifles in red.  I was shocked to say the least.  Let me start by saying that I believe in the Consitution and the right of free speech but that, to me, was an insult to a symbol of this great country.  With all the mass shootings that have been happening and it seems the AR15 has turned out to be the gun of choice, how could anyone display such a thing and in such a context as the American Flag!  This desecration of an American symbol is, in my opinion, unpatriotic, insulting and shameful.  It was an upsetting end to a very good mini vacation.

Did You Know...Anatomy of a Murder?

The 1959 film "Anatomy of a Murder" was filmed on location in Marquette County in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan?

1.  The author of the book was Michigan Supreme Court Justice John D. Voelker under the pen name Robert Traver. Voelker based the novel on a 1952 murder case in which he was the defense attorney. John Voelker lived in Ishpeming, MI which is apx 30 miles from my home.

2.  The film was shot in several locations in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (Big Bay, Marquette, Ishpeming, and Michigamme). Some scenes were filmed in the Thunder Bay Inn in Big Bay, one block from the Lumberjack Tavern, the site of the 1952 murder that inspired much of the novel.

3.  My father-in-law was the coroner for the real life murder that the book and film are based on.

4.  My husband recalls riding on his bike with friends to the Marquette County Courthouse to see if they could get a glimpse of any of the stars who were filming there.

8 Things I have learned from reading blogs

*  What to do with all my left over craft supplies.

*  Menu ideas.

*  Ways to downsize.

*  Retirement advice.

*  Travel ideas.

*  There is hope in light overcoming darkness in our country and world.

*  We are stronger when we stand together rather than let ourselves be driven apart.

*   I lead a very quiet, uneventful retirement life than most people out there writing blogs.

Saturday Smiles 8/24/2019

* I had my annual mammogram this week.  It probably seems strange to think of a mammogram as a smile.  But with breast cancer on both sides of my family, an annual mammogram is a good thing. Another smile to add to this is that I got the results within 3 days and everything came back normal.  Now I have an even bigger smile.

*The cost of flights to Reno, NV went down this week and we were able to book a trip to see our oldest son and DIL.  This is so great because with them living so far away and the high cost of airline travel, we don't see them as much as we would like to.

*Spent a lovely weekend in Copper Harbor, Michigan.  Copper Harbor is in the northern most point of the Upper Peninsula.  Gorgeous scenery, friendly people and a serene getaway.  We went to the annual Art in the Park and picked up a new bird feeder as well as homemade candles and a sculpture made from wood and stones found in Lake Superior.  We also visited The Jam Pot which is a bakery run by Monks who have a home in Eagle Harbor.  The Jam Pot makes the most delicious Maple Syrup and cookies.

* We spotted a group of Sandhill Cranes in a field - 2 large ones and 3 smaller ones - on our way home. We stopped on the side of the road and watched them for a bit.  I am always amazed at how many different species of birds and animals I see in the Upper Peninsula.

Tuesday Tickle

Did You Know...Pasties?

Pasties

1.  Pasties (pronounced "pah-stees") are a combination of meat and vegetables wrapped in a flaky crust.  The traditional recipe calls for round steak, potatoes, turnips or rutabaga, and onions.  However some substitute carrots for rutabaga.

2.  The Pasty has a shape like the letter "D" or a half moon.  It is sometimes it is called a "Cousin Jack mouth organ" or "a Cornishman's harmonica" as a reference to its Cornish roots.

3.  Pasties were brought to the US by Cornwall, England miners in the 1840s.  It has become so popular in the UP of Michigan, Wisconsin and northern Minnesota that it has become a tourist attraction, including being featured on the HGTV cooking series "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" as well as a Pasty Fest in Calumet, Michigan.  Governor George Romney of Michigan declared May 24, 1968 to be the first statewide Michigan Pasty Day.

*   The recipe I follow to make pasties is below.

     Filling:  2lbs. round steak, chop into 1/4" cubes
                   5 large potatoes, peeled, chop into 1/4" cubes
                   1 small rutabaga, chop into 1/4" cubes
                   1 onion, finely chopped
                   1tsp. salt
                   1tsp. pepper

     Dough:   4 cups sifted flour
                   2tsp. salt
                   1-1 1/2 cups shortening
                   10tsp ice water

Cut flour and salt into shortening until it is coarse.  Add water and form into ball.  Divide into 6 equal rolled balls. Dust with flour and put in plastic wrap.  Chill 1 hour.  Mix steak with vegetables, onion, salt & pepper.  Roll each ball on floured surface to a 9" circle.  Add 1-1 1/2 cups of filling to each circle.  Fold over to create 1/2 moon shaped pies.  Seal the edges and cut small slits in the top.  Bake on a cookie sheet at 400F for 45-50 minutes until golden brown.

*The only part of the recipe that is difficult (in my opinion) is making the crust.  Work the dough too much and it becomes tough.  Work the dough not enough and it will not be strong enough to hold the filling.

Saturday Smiles 8/10/2019

* 8 large turkeys walked across our front lawn in single file.  I kept waiting for the one in the lead to call out, "left, left, left right left".

* Our son AJ came home for a surprise visit.  He moved 2 months ago to Minnesota for work.  He had a few days off and decided to surprise us.  What a super way to start the week!

* It seems every September for the last 5 years, we have had so much junk in our garage that we have to hire two guys and a truck to haul it away.  Th junk is an accumulation of stuff that my sons seem to want to store in our garage and then decide they don't want it.  All that junk makes it difficult to park the car, lawnmower and snowblower in the garage as it was intended for.  Having the guys come costs us about $100.  This year my husband and I realized we didn't have to do it.  It seems there is no more junk being stored in our garage that doesn't belong there.   A successful decluttering project!

* I found the cutest cat paperclips in Hobby Lobby.  I am a nut for anything cat related.

I Am Not A Born "Yooper"!

I am not a born "Yooper" (nickname for a resident of the UP of Michigan), I became a yooper when I moved here in 1970 and then stayed.

I grew up in the suburbs of Detroit and to say that I was surprised that there was anything or anyone in the UP besides Mackinac Island is the understatement of the year.  There were a great many things I needed to adjust to when I moved here, the biggest of these was the winter weather.  An inch of snow on the ground where I was raised caused an entire city to shut down.  Here, it takes more than a foot or two for that call to be made.  Also, the length of winter is nothing to sneeze at.  Winter usually starts in October and lasts until April (if we are lucky).  Yoopers do not follow seasons on the calendar, we follow it as when the snow starts and when the snow ends.  But for all the downside of winter here, to me the most beautiful time is spring and summer.  The beauty of the UP is amazing and it is so beautiful that tourists come from near and far just to experience it.

I am lucky in that I live in the most beautiful part of the UP.  I live amid forests and woods of green filled with animals that most city dwellers never see. I live near Lake Superior, the largest fresh water lake in the world as well as the largest of the Great Lakes.  I live in a place where the residents are strong, faith-filled, happy and loyal to family, friends and even strangers.  When I was growing up in the city never did I think I would find a place like the UP to call home but that is exactly where I happily am.

Closed for the Summer

I am closing down my blog for the summer for a variety of reasons.

1).  It's summer!  This means I am more involved with outside activities, travel, gardening, family, friends, and just enjoying the warm days.  Therefore, I am limiting how much time I spend in the house.

2).  I am having a difficult time deciding what to write about in my blog. I checked out some other blogs and find that what they post doesn't really go for me.

      **I am quite happy with my life in retirement.  I am doing many things which I didn't have time          for before.  I am trying a lot of new things.  Nothing really to complain about there.

      **My personal opinions on politics and life in general are just that...personal.  I don't feel it's
          necessary for me to air those opinions on my blog.

      In short, I lead a very quiet, ordinary life which would not be of interest to anyone.

So, I close the door on this blog for the summer months.  In September or October when the weather starts to turn toward the cold side, I shall take another look and see if I should begin again.

Till then, I wish all of you a safe and happy summer!

Happy Mother's Day!

                                              Mom, I miss you more than words can say.

May Day 2019

THIS IS WHAT I WANTED TODAY!

THIS IS WHAT I GOT!

Saturday Smiles 4/27/2019

* Opened all windows and the front door this past week.  Lovely spring breezes gently blew the stuffiness of of a house closed up for winter out.  I had to stop and stand by the windows just to feel and smell the spring breeze.

* My morning doves have returned for Spring.  There are 2 of them and most mornings in the spring and summer, they sit in the grass beneath my maple tree.  It always puts me in a good mood when I hear their soft coo in the morning.

* 2 new slo cooker recipes - pork chops & stuffed peppers.  I am enjoying my slo cooker so much.  I wasn't sure how these 2 new recipes were going to work but the pork chops were so tender and the stuffed peppers came out just perfect.  I can't wait to try more recipes for this amazing machine.

* Bought a new mattress set - used computer for first time to find which one right for me and my husband.  Very strange lying on a mattress in the store, watching a video and moving when it told you to.  Saleswoman then showed us mattresses that would be right for both of us.  New mattress is spot on.  Love it.

Friday Funny 4/26/2019

Saturday Smiles 4/13/2019

*It was my youngest son's birthday on Monday and we went to his favorite restaurant to celebrate.  We had never been there before and were a little apprehensive as it was a brewery.  We have so many of those up here.  We were pleasantly surprised at the wonderful atmosphere and the food.  Of course, sending time with our son and his girlfriend is always a good time.

*My son recommended the whitefish tots as an appetizer.  I am not a big fish eater but I tried them for him.  They were really good!

*I saw a robin on Friday and then again today.  This morning, I watched one perched on the railing of my deck.  I take it as a sign that spring will come to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan soon.

*We had a snowstorm on Thursday and the prediction was for up to 2 feet of snow.  I was very happy to see that we only got about 4 inches instead.  Don't like the fact we had a snowstorm in April but hopefully with such a small amount of accumulated snow, it will melt quick and spring will finally get here.

*I have been trying to incorporate spring around my house as much as I can.  So, here is my front door all decked out for spring.

*I put together a pile of small quilts I have made to take to my local pet shelter.  They use the quilts to wrap the puppies and kittens in.  It is a great way to use up quilting fabric left overs and since they are not large quilts, I can make quite a few in half the time. I also crochet some small blankets as well for the shelter.

March Is A Wrap!!

The month of March has come to an end and so I look back to see what the month brought me.

Lent declutter project - This is going as well as it does every year.  We have already taken one load of declutter to St. Vincent de Paul mainly because there was so much, it was taking up a lot of room in the spare bedroom.  I was surprised at how much we declutter each year during Lent.  The upside is that with us both being "senior citizens", it is a worthwhile way to downsize.

Spring - slow thaw - no flooding (fingers crossed).  Temperatures have been going up but not real quick.  I would love to start having days in the 60s & 70s but the upside is that the slower the temperature rises during the day and then goes back down in the evenings, the less flooding we will have from the snow melt.

Taxes done - refund came within a week.  This is not surprising as our taxes are fairly easy now that we are retired and our deductions are few.

Physical Therapy done.  I am pleased with the results of the physical therapy I received.  My balance is much better and now that the weather is changing, I am more confident to be walking outside more.

Started Spring cleaning - 3 rooms done (small house).  Of course, our annual Lent decluttering helps with the Spring cleaning each year.  I still have 3 rooms plus the basement and the garage to go.

March came in like a lion and went out like a lamb (Thank Goodness)!

Happy on a Spring Day

Today is a beautiful Spring day in the UP.  The sun is shining, the temperature is in the 40s and 50s and although there is still lots of snow on the ground, it is still a beautiful Spring day.  I decided to take this Spring feeling and list the small things that make me happy.  During the winter months, the list of things that upset me gets pretty long but when Spring arrives, I find my spirits lifting and appreciating the small things in life.  So here it is...

10 Things That Make Me Happy

1)  Spring breezes coming through the open windows after a long winter

2)  That first cup of coffee in the morning

3)  Cuddling and talking to my pets

4)  Starting a book and realizing I won't be able to put it down until I'm done.

5)  My blue cuddly blanket still warm from the dryer

6)  Phone calls and text messages from my children

7)  New journals whose blank pages are inviting me to write

8)  Watching the same movie over a dozen times and still enjoying every minute of it

9)  Chocolate ice cream with crushed pretzels mixed in

10) Sitting on the porch on a summer morning listening to the birds call

3 Reasons I Am Still On Facebook But Don't Want To Be

I don't particularly like Facebook and since last year, I have been deleting posts, videos and pictures I have saved.  I am considering seriously of deleting it altogether, however I still have reasons to stay on it.

1.  Communicate with family.
I have a number of family members who, for a number of reasons, I do not communicate by     phone with often.  Facebook is an easy way for us to connect even if it is just to say "Good morning. Have a good day.  Love you".

2.  Keep up on the news of my former school.
I am a retired teacher and Facebook is a way for me to keep updated on what is happening in my former school. There is a school website but Facebook lets me see what individual colleagues are doing as well as keeping up with former students.

3.  Groups that focus on my interests.
I belong to a number of groups on Facebook that relate to interests and pasttimes of mine.  However, I have been paring these down as well.

Decluttering for Lent

This is a reprint of my post on February 18, 2016.  On this Ash Wednesday of 2019, I begin with my 4th annual decluttering for Lent.  Although most of what I decluttered in 2016 were clothes in my closet, I have also gone thru other rooms in my house as well as in the garage to declutter.  Amazing what one can find that is no longer being used but in good condition for someone else to use.  It is my hope that this post will inspire others as well.



Lent, for me, is a time to not only give something up but also to give something to...to an individual, an organization, a community, etc.  Normally, during Lent I would give twice as much to my church in the Sunday collection plate.  But this year, I decided I wanted to do something different.  Giving money is great but how easy that is...open your wallet, pull out the money and drop it in the basket.  Out of sight, out of mind.  It gave to someone or something but it did nothing for me.  Lent is when I should be learning about sacrifice, about appreciating the sacrifice Jesus made for us by experiencing one of my own.

While trying to get some inspiration on how to "give something" for Lent, I came across a post from a woman who chose to combine giving with decluttering.  She took a large trash bag and beginning on Ash Wednesday and each day thereafter, she put an item of clothing from her closet in it.  At the end of Lent, the bag of clothes would be donated to an organization that would see that the clothes go to people who need them.  Now you might say what does decluttering have to do with sacrifice.  Well, have you ever looked thru your closet and said, "I can't get rid of that.  I will wear it one day" or "When I lose 5 pounds that will fit again" or "That will come back in style soon".   Then you choose not to get rid of anything and clothes hang in your closet never to be worn again.  Decluttering the closet is like decluttering our lives.  Jesus wants us to focus on what is important in our lives not on the clutter.  He sacrificed His life to show that nothing else is more important than the life He gave us.  When He asked Peter and the apostles to follow Him, He told them not to bring anything.  They did not need anything but Him.  He is not asking us to totally get rid of everything, He is just asking us to share what we have so that we can follow His teachings better.  So, I have begun this Lent declutter project.  To my surprise, I am finding that it is not as hard as I thought it would be to declutter my closet and each time I put a piece of clothing in the bag, I pray and remind myself just where my focus should be.

Dear Jesus,
Just as I declutter my closet
one article of clothing at a time,
Help me to rid my mind and heart
of all the negativity and unimportant stresses
that take my focus off You.
Help me to focus on what You gave us
because of Your sacrifice on the cross
and help me prepare my mind, heart and
soul for Your coming on Easter morn.

Where I Am 2 Months In

Here it is the beginning of March and I am looking at both sides of where I am in 2019 so far.  First, Let's look at the plus side.  Days are getting longer which means, hopefully, that spring is coming.  My youngest son has a new girlfriend and it seems to be going well.  He's quite happy and she is a nice girl whom we like.  Our oldest son and daughter-in-law are doing quite well in their jobs and their first year in the new house.  My husband and I are surviving the winter with a minimum of frustration and the medical problems that have been plaguing the two of us have returned to a more manageable state.  Physical therapy has done me a world of good with my balance and I find that I can move around more with less pain. On the negative side, there is so much snow outside my door that it is like living in a snow tunnel, roofs around the city are collapsing under the weight of all of it and more is on the way.  I am developing the winter nutsies and want this season done quick.

As for my goals for 2019, I have accomplished a few so far.  We have worked on getting our credit rating up and it has been rising steadily.  We have put away a nice emergency fund which we have wanted to do for awhile now.  I have been able to get my body on a routine of sleeping at least 7 hours a night.  This is a major step for me since in the past I have only been able to manage 4 hours.

Not bad for only 2 months in of the new year.  I am optimistic for the days ahead.

Thought for Tuesday

Valentine's Day 2019

me and my valentine

My Valentine doesn't give me candy and flowers on Valentine's Day.  My Valentine has spent 45+ years being my partner, best friend, helpmate, sounding board, cheerleader, comforter, protector and father to our children among other things.  He has been there in good times as well as hard times.  He has taken care of me when I have been sick and praised me at my accomplishments.  He has made me laugh when things seem dark and he has held me when life has gotten so heavy. 

He doesn't come out and say all the romantic, mushy stuff but he lets me know his feelings in other ways.  He will take my hand when we are walking.  He will kiss me during the day for no reason at all.  He will bring home a treat when he goes out just because he wants to.  He will cuddle on the couch with me when we watch an old movie.  He will sit patiently in a clothing store as I shop (just to name a few). 

My Valentine doesn't need to give me candy and flowers on Valentine's Day to show his love for me, he does that every day.

Snow Serenity Prayer

Friday Fotos - After The Snowstorm

My front yard.

My backyard

Sunday Smiles

After a week of bone chilling, dangerous wind chill temperatures, the smiles are for being able to get out of the house.  Friday, we were able to go to the bank, post office and the grocery store.  Although being confined to the house with the wind chill hovering between -34 and -44 was great on using up what was in the freezer, we were happy to go to the store and stock up on items most needed.  Living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, we are used to the large amounts of snow in the winter but this wind chill stuff was awful.  I would much prefer snow to freezing temperatures.  To be honest, I would much prefer summer to winter but that's another post.  Our house has electric heat with baseboard heaters that we can use individually.  The majority of winters, we only turn on the living room heaters and that is sufficient to make the house cozy and warm.  So far, in January, we have had the heaters on in the living room, dining room and bedroom.  I can't wait to see my electric bill for this.

So if I were to try and see this weather experience optimistically (my 2019 word), I would say that we got to clean out the freezer and spend time together cuddled up watching old movies, reading and playing games (But, I still prefer summer).

Nothing more to say!

Saturday Smiles

*Two years ago, my husband and I were trying to decide what to get our youngest son for Christmas.  We wanted to do something extra special for him.  I noticed that in all the photos we have of him, he never smiled where you could see his teeth.  My son had mentioned that his teeth were bad and he didn't like to show them.  That became our gift to him.  We began helping him pay for getting his teeth fixed.  Yesterday we went to his appointment to have more work done.  When he came out, he was smiling.  He said, "look, mom."  His bottom teeth were straight and white and beautiful.  But the best part was the look on his face.  He was very happy and had an air of self confidence about him.  That alone was worth the cost of the dental work.  He isn't done yet but my husband and I feel that this was the best Christmas gift we could have given him.

*I don't know about anyone else but whenever I cooked when my boys were younger, there were many times I heard..."I don't like that.  I want burgers or pizza.  My friend's mom cooks better."  It can make a mom doubt her cooking skills.  This past week, my cooking skills were given a big boost.  My youngest has moved into a new apartment and when I asked how I could help, He asked me if I would write down some of my recipes for him.  My jaw dropped in surprise and he laughed.

* I finished reading a book that my oldest son got me for Christmas.  It was "Becoming" by Michelle Obama.  It was very good and it was by my favorite First Lady.