How pleasant is my own tall shower...how restful my own bed!!!
We're back from our northwest adventure. It was a whirlwind of family, driving, adventure, loss, unbelievable beauty, & expense. We logged between 1500 to 2000 miles in the car. Slept on @ least 9 different beds. Beheld a large percentage of Oregon's beauty. Ate like pigs. Spent 3 days @ St. Alphonsus Hospital. Witnessed the death of Stan's aunt Rosemary. Planned, executed & cleaned up after a northwestern style funeral. Then...came home...19 days total.
I am more thankful for my home & Southern traditions now than @ any previous point of my life. I thank God for my family, friends, & church.
Don't get me wrong...it was all perfectly timed by God. The opportunities to serve & support were priceless.
I'm just appreciating the blessings of my life I too often take for granted.
Once again I've enjoyed "catching up" with the time to read all your blogs my dear family!!
Mom never wanted to be on here. I just created her account so she would know when one of us posted, in hopes that she would comment. She has only made one comment and it was to you.
Hi Lady! Of course I remember you. Thank you for the beautiful thoughts about Mom. After having her ill for so long it's good to remember the good times. Sorry to hear of your travels but I am glad you are back safely. When I need it the most the Lord reminds me that I am surrounded by my spiritual "family" spread out all over the world. Thanks again for the comment and blog often:)
Time for something new. Just commenting on how much I really enjoy staying more up to date with the people I love so much on Pleo. I feel "connected" even when I don't comment. Thanks Wayne for the prompt/encouragement to "join up." Thanks to every one else for the info/entertainment!!!.
Really enjoyed seeing Rebekah & Marley(What a Cutie Pie!!!) & Rachel -n- "Crew" a couple of weeks ago. Aaron and Alayna are super cool/amazing!!
Brendan is supposed to come down from Montana for a week on the 31st. Exciting stuff for me!! Can't descide whether to go to the east coast, Crystal river, or the Keys...decisions decisions.
Now there are only 3 of my close relatives who haven't made it to my house. They are Willy(Lanette's spouse), Gary(Maureen's spouse) & a nameless sweetheart & family who's identy I won't reveal(you know who you are!). This is in no way a guilt trip...just on my "wish/too cool" list for sometime before I die. I hope life/time/money make it possible eventually.
As a Floridian I'll admit my addiction to Sunshine. I am sooooooo "jonesing" right now as it's been raining for 5 days with very overcast daylight in between. BLAH!! Yeah, Yeah, rain is a wonderful blessing...but an addict needs their "drug!"
Maybe tomorrow!! If I don't get it soon I may just jump in my car & drive until I get some!! Who knows...I may just end up on one of your front porches with my chaise lounge!! (You know it's pretty bad when you're willing to pay current gas prices for a glimpse of the sun!!!)
We have plenty of sunshine - come on up! Katelyn has never been to your house, or even met you for that matter. I guess one of us needs to do some traveling. And remember, we have sunshine! :)
That is exactly one of my realizations this weekend. My status of company ready at this point in life is not a pristine house. It's mainly clean clothes, less clutter, place to sit, sleep, bathe, food in the house and no outstanding accumulation of dirt. I was so much more at ease when I had not killed myself to "get ready". I decided that if everything had to be "perfect" before I had anyone over, then that would never happen. Especially regarding food. I am usually the kind that prepared way too much food for company and spend way too much time and energy doing it. Lately I have been much more relaxed and asked my guests to pitch in a little even. With rising costs, this has become a little necessary if we still want to enjoy each other's company. I have found that our friends just love getting together and are more than happy to help with the meal.
This sounded like something you would enjoy doing. On Sept 3 florist from all over the country will be giving out bouquets of flowers to walk in customers. All they ask is that you keep 1 flower and give the rest to a neighbor! Check out Flower Company in Tampa.
...That's right folks! Stan The Man & I have been "hitched" for 22 years as of the 26th. In one more year I will have been married as long as... I wasn't!! Too weird!
...I also realized that in August I will have lived in Florida for 27...27...years!!! How old am I anyway?!?!
(Oh well...maybe by the time I'm 90 or so I'll feel & act my age.)
A-N-Y-H-O-O... Expecting Rebekah & Marley on Tuesday for a short overnite visit(YEA!!!) Then Rachel & Crew should arrive Friday for the Weekend (YIPPEE!!)
Happy 4th of July to all!!! This country is sooooo blessed!!
Congrats! 22 years is something to be happy about. It really hit me the year that I realized I had known Wayne longer than I had known my own father. Have fun with the girls and with the newest family member.
Congratulations! I'm starting to know how you feel - in just four years, I will have been with Nathan for half my life. No one ever saw that coming! ;-) Can't wait to see you in a couple days!
Time keeps ticking away. Further away from the life lived & the gentle warmth & love that touched my life more deeply than any other in this world. Memories are shadows that come and go lacking substance - untouchable. What can I say...I miss my Mommy!!
A year ago today. ... I am changed.
She was a great "sparklin'," bubble-blowin', God lovin', family lovin', hard workin', card making'&sendin', friend makin', opinionated, good cookin', sharp dressin', thrifty, laughter lovin', hospitable, kind, blunt, encouragin', wise, picture paintin', singin', whistlin', loyal daughter/sister/aunt/wife/mother/grandmother/g-g ma & friend.
Sweet tribute...sweet memories. Although she is away, her love still surrounds us and is the mesh that covers the hole in our hearts. Thank you for the cards and for sharing your heart with all of us.
Webster defines the word through as - "in one side and out the other, from beginning to the end or conclusion of"
My dear sweet pets have all FINALLY made it through the new doggy door!!! Although the timing was perfect, my plan was good, the price/investment was paid, the wall was moved/removed, demonstrations/encouragements were given, & the freedom was offered ... they really didn't "get it." I have never abused them but they weren't convinced that I wasn't trying daily to make their lives misery. Even though it was sorta humorous to see them fight the new "path" with such passion I still felt sorry for them & hoped they would catch on sooner than later.
Today I watched with great anticipation, joy, & relief as the last (&"thickest") one made it through. I could see the "light" come on in his eyes as the understanding of future freedom hit his little brain.
As I took it all in...it hit me. A familiar correlation.
...Although HIS timing is perfect, though HIS plan is good, though HE paid the price, though the "wall" was torn down, though freedom is HIS offer...too often I just don't "get it." God has never pointed, encoureged, led, or forced me down a path that was not the best He had for me...yet I still have a hard time just trusting Him in His plan & the paths of this life.
Mother's Day & the last 11-14 months have been a "new path" for me. I continue to long for the old & familiar "path." No, I don't wish for Mom & Dad back. But I feel very "squrimy" & I "howl" from time to time. This path is perfectly timed in God's plan...but my faith is small...& I still need your prayers...& His wisdom to face my new path..."to the end or conclusion of."
Now... How many people do you know that can glean spiritual insite from... a doggy door?!?!?
A very astute observation. I know this path has been a very difficult one for you, and I have watched its effects on Dad, but I am grateful for one blessing that has come about as a result: Our family pulling together, even though we're all so spread apart. I'm especially grateful for your presence in my life and for the fact that I can always count on words of wisdom from you and a perspective that I need to hear. I pray for you, and I thank God for you, too. Love you!
After doing so, go to the bottom of the page and select "view all". You will be looking at the days in reverse order, but at least it shouldn't make you sick.
Actually, we're putting on the market today b/c we leave for Idaho tomorrow - so that will help us keep it clean for the next week! :) I didn't want to post about the trip in such a public setting, especially with the house being on the market.
When I was logging on, I thought about how I haven't talked to you in a quite a while. Then your name was lit up, although that appears to be a mistake. :-) Anyway, just wanted to say I'm thinking about you!
