Story of the Day

When you’ve been spending a lot of time trying to settle in to a new location and things go slower then you have ever anticipated, well let’s just say that sometimes it’s hard to be thankful; difficult to look on the bright side of life or keep on the sunny side.

That’s why this “project” of mine to post a “testimony” or “story” a day can be a bit difficult.  But I do know that in time it will get easier because I totally expect it to change my perspective to the sunny side of life.

So, with that in mind, I took my wonderful dog outside last night for her final relief before bed.  While heading back toward the house I looked up.  What I saw took my breath away.  The sky – the beautiful big mid-west sky – was full of fluffy multi dimensional white and gray clouds with a full moon shining brightly behind them.  The art work above was absolutely beautiful from this earthly perspective!  And to think that I know this artist.  Overwhelming!

Does Anyone Have a Testimony?

At the beginning of 2011 I saw several people posting a “Photo a Day” or other such projects on the internet. I like that.
So, now that it’s almost half way through the year I feel strongly that I NEED and WANT to post “A Testimony a Day”.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines testimony as: an open acknowledgment; a public profession of religious experience; a divine decree attested in the scriptures.

I think this will be harder than I thought and that is probably the biggest reason I want to do it.  It’s hard to be thankful when we all live a life so involved with circumstances.  Circumstances that most of the time are not good or appear to be hard.  But on the other hand, I believe there is something to attest to in every circumstance no matter how hard things look.  We are surrounded by “stories” waiting to be told.  I want to find them.

God has a different view of our lives then we do.  I want His perspective more.  I’ve changed my whole approach to prayer over the last year.  Instead of asking all the time for something from Him I spend more time being thankful to Him and meditating on His goodness and love and more time looking back on situations and seeing how He got me through it and where He was when certain things happened.  It’s life changing.

I recently went to a local art museum to see Monet’s Water Lilies.  All 3 panels were on display (normally they are in separate locations).  Seeing such a magnificent work of art in person is eye opening.  You can enter the room and look at it and see it one way.  But as you approach the work every few feet the scene in front of you changes.  You get a different perspective the closer you get.  A different depth, a different opinion even.

So, I want these simple “testimonies” to do that for whoever reads them.  May they change your perspective on your life.  I am counting on them to change mine – to open my eyes wider to the things around me. To have a story no matter how simple or complex each day.  Enjoy.

Testimony #1

Today I attended a church 20 minutes from my home.  I had only been there once before and liked it.  So, 2 months later, my husband and I went again.  I am thankful for people who gather in the name of their Lord with happy hearts and have the freedom to worship Him together and individually with confidence and freedom in who they are and who they were made to be.  It was truly an uplifting experience full of peace and strength.  It was a room FULL of creative people who gathered together to celebrate the most creative person they know – The Creator.

Dead Mouse Walking

King:  “I’ll check the mousetraps before going to bed”

Queen:  “OK”

Voice from kitchen – “One is missing.”

“How can one be missing?  What are you talking about?”

“I put one in each drawer and one drawer has NO mouse trap”

“Perhaps you thought you put them in both drawers.”

“No000, I know I did.”

“Well, do think our son moved it while we were out?  He did come by.”

“I don’t know.”

“You could call him.”

“Son, did you move the mouse trap?”

Son, laughing hysterically, “What are you talking about?”

After longer conversation son replied, “This is the weirdest phone call ever.”

King Mouse Hunter: ” Oh well, don’t know where it went.” Proceeded to ready himself for bed.

Queen of Mouse Hunter: “Uh, it has to be somewhere.  Can a mouse walk off with it?”

At this point strong visions of a mouse on two feet bumping into cupboard walls adorning a mouse trap on it’s head.

King:  “OK, I’ll look.”

Pokes his head into cupboards and says, “Not here.”

Queen:  “Has to be.  They don’t just walk off.” (shutters)

King:  “Oh.  Here he is.  OH!  He’s still alive.”

Queen exits while saying  something to the effect of – throw him over the fence so the dogs don’t get him and bring him back in.

King:  “You got gloves?  I’ll flush him!”

Sound of flushing toilet then, “Oh crap! He didn’t go down!!”

Flushing again.

King:  “There.  I’ll reset the traps.”

The End.

Ummmmmm……..

OK.  Road trip is now behind me.  It was awesome and our dear dog, Hayley Mills Sasquatch Bryson had a fabulous time and was extremely well behaved for a 10 month old dog.  Fall colours on the eastern part of US were incredible and the Atlantic Ocean is still there even though I am not.

That said, let’s move on.  About that book I’m writing ….. ug.  The thing is, I KNOW I can do it.  I have NO doubts that I can do it.  I do it in my head A LOT.  But boy howdy, it is hard!  Focusing is very hard for me some days.  At this point I would like to upload a short video taken on my NEW iphone4 (bragging, yes) of me hard at work on this book : if I could figure out how ……. more distractions.  Can’t even focus on this blog. Sigh.  But the African Rooibus tea I just made is fantastic!!

 

So, that said, well, have a great day.

Road Trip

OK, this week we pack a vehicle, luggage, map and a LARGE puppy to head to a coastal location to visit family and other such busy-ness.  I’m excited!  A road trip!  YES!

I hate driving.  I hate public restrooms. I hate eating an abundance of fast food with it dripping down the front of me. But I love a road trip every couple of years or so.

One that I remember well was quite a while ago now.  We decided to take a vacation and visit family – a long over due necessity.  We were going to travel from one coast to the other with a family reunion in between.  It was July I believe or maybe closer to August.  First stop was the family reunion in Idaho!  Up near Sun Valley.  And camping!  Did I say I hate camping?

We own zero camping equipment other than a few K-Mart sleeping bags.  But no worries, in-laws had a tent ready and waiting for us.  So, we arrived in this idyllic setting in the mountains of Idaho complete with lake – freezing – and lots of trees.  Don’t misunderstand me, I LOVE the mountains and lakes and woods and dirt.  I HATE to sleep in it.  I love the fresh air and the cold – but I am the person that Winnebago’s were made for – that campers on wheels were designed to house.  Tents?  Well, I nice idea but not for this Jersey Girl!

So, in our little seven passenger station wagon and 4 children, did I say 4 children, we set out for our journey.  Road rules:  NO ONE  CAN ASK,  ARE WE THERE YET?  This rule works pretty well if we add, “We’ll give you a dollar if you do not ask that question along with, I’M BORED and HOW FAR IS IT NOW?

At the camp ground we were surrounded by relatives we didn’t know – even thought perhaps we were at the wrong reunion – showed to our tent and settled in for the festivities.  The kids all found cousins their own ages and were gone.

A few hours into this experience our 3rd son was found sitting on the steps to the only cabin at this site looking somewhat afraid.  I asked what was wrong, he at first said, “Nothing”, then when prodded a little more he simply stated, “I don’t want Beaver Fever”.  I asked what made him think he would get Beaver Fever?  He said, “That lady told me”.  “What lady?”  Then she appeared  –  “cousin” who was the mother of the child he decided was a friend.  “They were drinking out of a spigot.  I told them they would have Beaver Fever by morning.  No big deal, diarrhea, etc.” , and she walked away.  I had two choices at that point:  To jump her and pull her hair out OR turn back to my petrified child and console him and convince him that it would not happen to my child.  By the look on his face I believe he thought a night of extreme hair growth and a flat tail extending from his buttocks would be imminent.

Well, neither happened – much to my relief.  The only problems while sleeping in the tent was frozen m&ms in the morning.  FROZEN in the middle of summer.  Another reason not to “camp” added to my list.

After goodbyes and warming up we hit the road for the rest of our journey.  It was great.  We had a wonderful time with family and headed back across our beautiful nation.  Except on the way home, where we stopped in Ohio, we had to “bleach” the horseshoe crab carcasses due to smell of death and maggots.  But other than that all was well.

So, this trip is just hubby and puppy!  Can’t wait.

Here in the Waiting Room

waiting for a cookie

Waiting is very hard for me.  Is it easy for anyone?  Well, I’m sure there are some of you that wait better than I do and perhaps even enjoy the waiting.  God bless you.

But this is about me – I want to embrace the waiting.  I want to get every single drop of the moisture  of learning, of knowing, of love out of the waiting.  I want to paint the waiting room walls a cheery yellow with green accents and a touch of orange so as long as I need to linger I can enjoy the wait.

So, here I am in the waiting room.  Trying to focus on the One who sits with me as I wait.  Trying to focus on Him and the tasks set before me that can be worked on while waiting ………

Waiting for what, you ask?  I am simply waiting for the desires of my heart to come to pass.  The promises lovingly spoken to me to blossom to their fullest.  Writing these words suddenly makes the walls a brighter yellow and my heart beats a little faster feeling the anticipation of windows opening and doors being flung wide.

Ahh, fresh, sweet air coming to me on bright frilly breezes…… here in the Waiting Room.  🙂

Autumn and Birthdays

I have always loved Autumn – when in August you get that first smell of autumn coming – it’s in the air, the breeze, the leaves and the grass.  It’s just everywhere.  That fresh smell of crisp dying earthy things.  Ahhhh, sweet aroma.  I know it’s still hot in August when you first sense the coming of fall and still hot in September and part of October in some places, but that smell is still there just waiting for it’s full appearance when the air turns as crisp as a Granny Smith Apple!  Yum.

Autumn marks the time for the cider mills to open and sell their wonderful fresh pressed cider and apple doughnuts! Arg, I LOVE it!  Autumn also marks the time to pull out warmer clothes that are as comforting as a snuggly blanket AND SHOES!  Real shoes with real SOCKS!

Now for the most important time for me……. TADA!  My birthday!  I was born in October – the first half and I just love my birthday!  I love to celebrate everyone’s birthday actually.  But mine is the best.  I don’t even know why I feel that way.  When I was very young my mom did the usual kid parties – I don’t think they lasted too long into our growing up but I remember the friends coming and the decorations and her delicious marble cake with butter cream frosting!  And presents and the party dress with the petty coat that crinkled like paper and twirled really nice with my black shiny patent leather Mary Jane shoes!!!

But I haven’t had a party in YEARS – when I was 51 my husband threw a surprise party – that was nice.  But as the kids get older and have families and jobs and bills – I don’t get the presents or the cake (unless I make it) and definitely not the party dress!

I think it’s the nostalgic thoughts and memories combined with the autumn weather – a change of seasons – whatever it may be I just love my birthday!!!  So there!

Of course I always “hope” for the presents that I think should come – but they are more expensive now then ever and a bit far out – but one can always hope!

Yes, one can always hope and dream and remember ……. ahhhhh I love Autumn!

I’m Writing a Book

I know, I know. Some of you after reading my blog may think, why would SHE write a book. LOL
Because I’m suppose to. I even wrote chapter 1 today. So, those of you who hang out with Jesus please say a prayer for me because I do believe it is Him who (whom?) told me to write this book. It will be about loss and mostly HOPE.
It feels good and it feels right.
I was putting off starting this book until today when I left a meeting that exudes in Hope and a gal I somewhat know handed me a book that she wrote and self- published. As she placed it into my hands I heard, Here – she did it – so can you!
Truly an inspiration from God.
So, today begins the journey – the 13th of September, 2010.
Hope journey.

What’s in a name? that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet

It seems like the simplicity of the “Happy Days” (aka the 50’s) is gone. We called our Grandmother, Grandma. Grandfather, Grandpa.
My kids called their Grandmother, Grandma and Grandfather, Grandpa.
My first 3 grandchildren call me Uma and their Grandfather, Pop-Pop. The other side of the family is Nana and Grampy.
Second son and his wonderful wife to have a child (due next Spring) decided we needed to be called Mammy and Boompa.
To quote Jimmy Stewart in Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation – who was also called Boompa by one of his Grandchildren – “BOOM-Pa????”
I think my husband has a bit of a harder time than I do with the name choices. I tend to be a bit more creative and silly and fun loving of the out of the ordinary in life. Could my son have gotten that from me? Hmmmm.
First daughter-in-law called today to state that the first Grandchildren get to name us and Uma and Pop-Pop it is!
Let the games begin! This could be interesting. I think I will get some popcorn and hot chocolate and sit back and enjoy.
I love being a Grandma- Uma – Mammy. 😉

Blogging

When I just typed in the title of this blog, I mistakingly left out the letter l…..Bogging appeared. Maybe that wasn’t a mistake. It’s been awhile since I “blogged” or “bogged” – that word – bog – can mean whatever the reader interprets it to be. Me, I take it as bogged down – pressed down. I’m still trying to get into this blogging thing.
I tried not to take it personally that no one reads this – LOL – I think just got over that.
Anyway – it’s been a VERY HOT summer in the land that I live in. And now the atmosphere is changing. Ahhh – I LOVE the Autumn/Fall. The air changes – it may still be hot but there is something different in the air. A kind of warmth that holds you in a cuddly sort of way. Hot cider and donuts pop into your mind and fires in the fire pit with cocoa are calling out to you. The windows are open all day and all night! Gosh, I love these feelings!
With the change of a season I always hope that I will change in some good way AND that perhaps I’ll “Blog” more whether anyone read them or not.
That’s all for now.

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