HAWAII -
You know that magical paradise where there
is sunshine, palm trees, lots of sand, blue oceans
with crashing waves, luau’s, pretty girls in grass
skirts with lei’s around their necks…
Yes, that was all there, in fact La Chel and I had
a surprise when we landed and headed into the
airport…there standing right in the path of the
people coming off of the plane was a cute young
Hawaiian fellow holding a sign with our names
on it and two beautiful orchid leis, one for each
of us (Ordered ahead by my very special son, Ken)
What a fun thing for him to do. Thanks, Ken !
We rented the car and checked into the beautiful
New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel in Waikiki in
Honolulu. The view from the room was gorgeous
overlooking the city, the ocean palm trees swaying
right outside and on the other side the well known
Diamond Head you hear so much about.
This was what I was expecting to experience there.
Never having been there before, I had visions
of what impact Hawaii would have on me.
Yes, it was all I had expected and I settled in to enjoy
every aspect of this vacation…
BUT little did I know that I was going to come home
with so much more than a gorgeous sunny vacation..
That impression was before our first day of being a
“tourist” and we headed off to start our visit at the
Pacific National Monument at Pearl Harbor.
That’s where the whole idea of Hawaii was changed
for me and I found out the most important thing about this
vacation was really finding out what really happened on
December 7, 1941.
There you can learn about how things really were
that fateful day.
Visiting the Pacific National Monument, the only
Naval Base in the United States designated a
a National Historic Landmark not only changed
my idea of Hawaii but made me so aware of
what actually went on there and what it was like
when the Japanese began the devastating
aerial attack on Pearl Harbor resulting in 2,390
dead and hundreds wounded and drove the U.S.
into World War II. (Oh sure, I had seen movies
about a this and realized it was bad but not
until I actually stood there on the USS
Arizona Memorial did the full impact of what
happened really hit me. ) It is such a horrific
thing we witnessed and yet so beautifully
preserved so we can all really understand
what happened that fateful day.
We went thru all the the film of the attack,
museums of the aircraft and viewed plaques
honoring those who lost their lives that day.
A guide showed us the hills off in the distance
where the Japanese planes came in. I can’t even
imagine the feeling that must have gone thru
those watching as those planes flew overhead
dropping all those bombs. It was an indescribable
feeling I had looking at those hills and trying
to imagine what those below were feeling. I had
not heard there were actually two attacks an
hour or so apart. Then they were planning a third
but cancelled it because their job was done with
the first two. Everything was already devastated
after the second attack.
Then we took the shuttle out to the USS Arizona
Memorial that is actually built right over the
sunken hull of the Arizona which is the final
resting place for most of the 1,177 crewman
that were on the ship. In the shrine room is a
marble wall that exhibits all the names of the
men who lost their lives on the Arizona.
That was an experience in itself. As the people
walked in every one got quiet. Not a word was
spoken as each of us stood before that wall
with all of those names on the wall realizing
they were the sons, fathers, the brothers and
husbands of many, many loved ones. And
the realization they are still entombed below
in their beloved ship.
What an awesome, sobering experience it was !!
SO Hawaii will never have the same
meaning to me as I look back on this
vacation….Yes, it is a beautiful, fun
playful place but it is also a place of
beauty in a different way.
The sacrifice that took place on Dec 7
and how the country responded made me
so proud of our country and appreciate
those whom we lost on that fateful day.
This visit to Pearl Harbor so changed me
that I shall never think the same of Hawaii
again !!!!!!!!
Friday, April 6, 2012
Friday, May 27, 2011
LIFE IS GOOD
The days go by so fast sometimes we don't even have a chance to sit back and appreciate all of the blessings we have in our lives ! It is just the first of the month and then the next thing I know it is the end of the month. Now, lo and behold, the year of 2011 is nearly half over. Where has it gone.
LIFE IS GOOD ! Our God is in control of every little detail and all we have to do is trust Him for every day and we are secure in His arms.
We have had a busy year so far but it has been good. Started out with a great (belated) mid January Christmas with all of our family at a beautiful spot in a lodge on the mountain. Snow all around ...what could be more Christmasy!
Then came spring.... I love spring. It always makes me think of Mom as she loved spring. The daffodils push their golden heads up thru the ground brightening up every day even if the days are still gray and sometimes even rainy.
Then a little later our goldfinches arrive at the bird feeder. They add more golden cheer to the days. Yesterday I saw eleven of them all trying to feed at the same time. That just doesn't work so some of them are hanging on the wire that holds the feeder until one of the others leave so they can have a chance for their breakfast. We had to buy a new feeder this year because the old one we had held too much seed and they were emptying it by mid day.... this one is harder for the BIG birds to feed at (they eat TOO much) and our smaller birds have more of a chance to feed. The seed gets spendy so now they are on a limited diet : )
So LIFE IS GOOD... Everybody is happy and moving on in life. Our grandkids are growing up so quickly. We have #4 (Tanner) graduating from high school this year. That puts us 1/2 way thru graduations.... Four more to go after Tanner this year and they will ALL be out of high school.... Time and generations march on....
So such is life on this special day. I say "special" because each and every day is special but we so often forget that. Live each one for the beauty it has in it and don't worry about the ones gone by (there is nothing we can do about them) and don't worry about the ones coming up because the Lord had them all planned out for us and remember HE KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR US and He has the rest of each of our lives planned out to every last detail for us ahead of time so we can just rest in His arms and enjoy life to it's fullest.
Love you all !
LIFE IS GOOD ! Our God is in control of every little detail and all we have to do is trust Him for every day and we are secure in His arms.
We have had a busy year so far but it has been good. Started out with a great (belated) mid January Christmas with all of our family at a beautiful spot in a lodge on the mountain. Snow all around ...what could be more Christmasy!
Then came spring.... I love spring. It always makes me think of Mom as she loved spring. The daffodils push their golden heads up thru the ground brightening up every day even if the days are still gray and sometimes even rainy.
Then a little later our goldfinches arrive at the bird feeder. They add more golden cheer to the days. Yesterday I saw eleven of them all trying to feed at the same time. That just doesn't work so some of them are hanging on the wire that holds the feeder until one of the others leave so they can have a chance for their breakfast. We had to buy a new feeder this year because the old one we had held too much seed and they were emptying it by mid day.... this one is harder for the BIG birds to feed at (they eat TOO much) and our smaller birds have more of a chance to feed. The seed gets spendy so now they are on a limited diet : )
So LIFE IS GOOD... Everybody is happy and moving on in life. Our grandkids are growing up so quickly. We have #4 (Tanner) graduating from high school this year. That puts us 1/2 way thru graduations.... Four more to go after Tanner this year and they will ALL be out of high school.... Time and generations march on....
So such is life on this special day. I say "special" because each and every day is special but we so often forget that. Live each one for the beauty it has in it and don't worry about the ones gone by (there is nothing we can do about them) and don't worry about the ones coming up because the Lord had them all planned out for us and remember HE KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR US and He has the rest of each of our lives planned out to every last detail for us ahead of time so we can just rest in His arms and enjoy life to it's fullest.
Love you all !
Friday, April 1, 2011
A Kitty's Rough Life
Poor Chester. He leads such a traumatic life sometimes. But he brings it all on himself as he just doesn't trust anyone but Bob and I! What can I say. Humans are just NOT his thing....although he does love and trust us as he sleeps on the foot of our bed every night but is outside most of the day coming in on occasion for food, love and/or his favorite treat..
Today was not one of his good days, however. We had some work done in the yard and he couldn't be outside while they were doing it so last night he came in as usual BUT this morning we couldn't let him outside and he was not a "happy camper" to say the least. First he goes to the door and just meows which gets louder and more forceful and when that brings no response from me, he starts in with this HOWL !!
It gets louder and louder trying to get my attention until he finally gives up and jumps up on the back of the couch so he can at least LOOK at his outside domain.
Today, however, he sort of lucked out because yesterday he got a postcard in the mail asking him to let us know it was time for his yearly shots and exam at the vets office. SO I thought to myself....if I could possibly get that scheduled today he would only have to stay in one morning! (He usually disappears for most of the day when he goes out so to be sure he is here for an app't, we have to keep him in.) Anyway , just taking a chance, I called the vet to see if I could possibly get him in today so we could (so to speak) kill two birds with one stone and he would only have to stay in one morning. And sure enough, they got me a 10:15 time slot.
So we took a little drive to the vet's office (1/2 a block down the road) and he got that all done including some extra grooming which means getting all of the hair mats off of his belly as his long hair always gets all matted over the winter and he won't let ME touch his belly to get them out but he is so afraid of the vet and her assistant that he just trembles and lets them do whatever they want to him.
She said he won the "Best Kitty award of the day with his behavior." I was very proud of him!
So we got all that done, I ran to the post office with him in the front seat of the truck (in his carrier, of course) and went for a latte before bringing him back home because he still couldn't go outside here. I brought him in and let him out of his carrier and he immediately RAN down the hall and disappeared. We did finally find him hid under far side of the guest bed in the first bedroom. Then when he could go out and we went to find him, he was gone so we had to do a house search. I am still not quite sure where he had been hiding the second time, but he finally came strolling down the hall with BIG eyes observing everything to be sure there wasn't some big monster waiting to grab him before our eyes.
I let him outside and I haven't see him since but you can be sure he will be here for his treat later in the day and hopefully forgive us for his rough day. Oh, the life of a cat can be SO complicated sometimes !!
Today was not one of his good days, however. We had some work done in the yard and he couldn't be outside while they were doing it so last night he came in as usual BUT this morning we couldn't let him outside and he was not a "happy camper" to say the least. First he goes to the door and just meows which gets louder and more forceful and when that brings no response from me, he starts in with this HOWL !!
It gets louder and louder trying to get my attention until he finally gives up and jumps up on the back of the couch so he can at least LOOK at his outside domain.
Today, however, he sort of lucked out because yesterday he got a postcard in the mail asking him to let us know it was time for his yearly shots and exam at the vets office. SO I thought to myself....if I could possibly get that scheduled today he would only have to stay in one morning! (He usually disappears for most of the day when he goes out so to be sure he is here for an app't, we have to keep him in.) Anyway , just taking a chance, I called the vet to see if I could possibly get him in today so we could (so to speak) kill two birds with one stone and he would only have to stay in one morning. And sure enough, they got me a 10:15 time slot.
So we took a little drive to the vet's office (1/2 a block down the road) and he got that all done including some extra grooming which means getting all of the hair mats off of his belly as his long hair always gets all matted over the winter and he won't let ME touch his belly to get them out but he is so afraid of the vet and her assistant that he just trembles and lets them do whatever they want to him.
She said he won the "Best Kitty award of the day with his behavior." I was very proud of him!
So we got all that done, I ran to the post office with him in the front seat of the truck (in his carrier, of course) and went for a latte before bringing him back home because he still couldn't go outside here. I brought him in and let him out of his carrier and he immediately RAN down the hall and disappeared. We did finally find him hid under far side of the guest bed in the first bedroom. Then when he could go out and we went to find him, he was gone so we had to do a house search. I am still not quite sure where he had been hiding the second time, but he finally came strolling down the hall with BIG eyes observing everything to be sure there wasn't some big monster waiting to grab him before our eyes.
I let him outside and I haven't see him since but you can be sure he will be here for his treat later in the day and hopefully forgive us for his rough day. Oh, the life of a cat can be SO complicated sometimes !!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
It's Me Again - Surprised ?
Well, here I sit again thinking of nothing to say.... what have I done lately ??
Had a really fun weekend with three of my favorite gals.... We spent the whole weekend - from Friday morning (after we got home from our tsunami alert evacuation that is)until Sunday afternoon just shuffling paper, photos, adhesive, and other misc items to hang on to those precious memories that we enjoy and then forget a lot of the details as the weeks, months and years go by. It is so fun to relive those special days, vacations and remember all of the great moments in life the Lord gives us !! The process was fun and the company very special. I managed to get 56 pages done in my last years vacation album. Now I just have to put it together and it will be all finished. What an accomplishment. Feels really good.
Oh, you are curious about our little tsunami episode?? We heard about the Japan earthquake before we went to bed Thursday nite when our weather alert radio alarm went off in the hallway... Bob stayed up to watch the news awhile and nothing was predicted to hit here until morning so we got up about 5 am to check on things and they were suggesting an evacuation to be safe. We headed up to our new Costco parking lot which is high ground, with Bob checking into the net with his amateur radio so we knew what was going on. Nothing happened here but it did serve as a great drill to see how prepared or not prepared we really are here. Southern Oregon did get some waves that did a little damage but nothing severe.
Things are back to normal now.... had a great thunder storm yesterday.. There's just something about a good thunder storm I enjoy. It just reminds me of God's fantastic power and how He can get our attention. From the tsunami to the thundering clouds the next day we know HE REALLY IS IN CONTROL and He can do pretty much what He desires to get our attention !
I'll never forget our thunder storm on Dow Road when the lightening hit our house when the kids were little. That's one thing in life one never forgets. The deafening crash, ozone smell, the flash all at one time and then the outlet in our bedroom catching on fire. Oh everything turned out ok but it was a bit scary at the time.
OK, enough for today. I have lots to do today and not a lot of time to do it so I am off....good to talk to myself today.... Have a good day if anyone reads this !
Had a really fun weekend with three of my favorite gals.... We spent the whole weekend - from Friday morning (after we got home from our tsunami alert evacuation that is)until Sunday afternoon just shuffling paper, photos, adhesive, and other misc items to hang on to those precious memories that we enjoy and then forget a lot of the details as the weeks, months and years go by. It is so fun to relive those special days, vacations and remember all of the great moments in life the Lord gives us !! The process was fun and the company very special. I managed to get 56 pages done in my last years vacation album. Now I just have to put it together and it will be all finished. What an accomplishment. Feels really good.
Oh, you are curious about our little tsunami episode?? We heard about the Japan earthquake before we went to bed Thursday nite when our weather alert radio alarm went off in the hallway... Bob stayed up to watch the news awhile and nothing was predicted to hit here until morning so we got up about 5 am to check on things and they were suggesting an evacuation to be safe. We headed up to our new Costco parking lot which is high ground, with Bob checking into the net with his amateur radio so we knew what was going on. Nothing happened here but it did serve as a great drill to see how prepared or not prepared we really are here. Southern Oregon did get some waves that did a little damage but nothing severe.
Things are back to normal now.... had a great thunder storm yesterday.. There's just something about a good thunder storm I enjoy. It just reminds me of God's fantastic power and how He can get our attention. From the tsunami to the thundering clouds the next day we know HE REALLY IS IN CONTROL and He can do pretty much what He desires to get our attention !
I'll never forget our thunder storm on Dow Road when the lightening hit our house when the kids were little. That's one thing in life one never forgets. The deafening crash, ozone smell, the flash all at one time and then the outlet in our bedroom catching on fire. Oh everything turned out ok but it was a bit scary at the time.
OK, enough for today. I have lots to do today and not a lot of time to do it so I am off....good to talk to myself today.... Have a good day if anyone reads this !
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Do It Now
Do it now - that was the last entry I did on my blog last year. Why have I not blogged for so long. No real reason. Sometimes nothing comes into my head and guess I have just been too busy to even think about blogging but then that isn't really a good excuse either so I REALLY don't know why I haven't. I suppose Facebook has sort of taken over but it will never replace a spot where one can really sit down and ponder what has been going on in life and just sit down and put it on paper. Facebook doesn't really replace the thought that can go into a blog.
I get frustrated at times when people come up with a one liner and it is never explained what is going on. I don't call that communication. It just makes me wondering what happened or is going to happen and it leaves me feel like...OK, what is going on here. Is this something I could be praying about or something I could be celebrating with this person. Leaves my hanging....that is frustrating !
I went back this morning and read some of my former blogs and they were actually sort on interesting. One wonders sometime how much of life goes by and we sort of forget about all of fun little interesting little things that go on.
So I have no agenda at all this morning as I sit here with my cup of coffee listening to the winds we are getting this morning. We just had a 58 mile an hour gust they just said on the radio. Of course it is garbage day so our can is sitting by the road waiting to be picked up by the garbage truck.That may or may not happen as he doesn't get out of his truck and if it is laying on it's side it just stays there. It has already been picked up out of the driveway twice this morning because the wind blew it over. Luckily, ours is always in plastic bags tied shut so it didn't spill out onto the road. The neighbors down the road had things flying all over their yard. Plastic bags, cartons etc just enjoying a little trip flying thru the air to land where ever. (OHHHH - there went ours again - another THUD and sure enough it is on it's side. Maybe Bob will be up soon, it's his turn I think !!)
See, now wasn't that one thing you really needed to know this morning..my little episode with our garbage can. Sometimes I wonder why my friends (one especially !!) keeps bugging me to blog. I know you just wouldn't have been happy going thru this day not knowing I am having a battle with my garbage can ! I'm sure that will REALLY MAKE YOUR DAY ! That was really one piece of info you just couldn't live without today, right ??
Life is good. We continue to keep busy...I have cut back on some things to just have more time for some other things but I still have enough to more than keep me busy. I am enjoying more time to myself though. I still go to the Animal Shelter every Tuesday. I just realized the other day that I started going out there every Tuesday in 2004 right after I retired. I had a gal going to my WW meeting that volunteered out there and she told me about it and then Chester and Samantha (our two little feral kittys) showed up on our doorstep as wild as could be and I went out there to get a trap to catch them and have them neutered and spayed so we wouldn't get more feral kittens around and put in a volunteer sheet and began working shortly thereafter. I still love going out there. I volunteer in the kitty room just socializing and petting them so they are feeling loved which makes them adjust better to their situation and therefore easier to get adopted. It was hard at first because you feel sorry for them and want to take them all home but it doesn't take long to realize that is not possible but I can make their lives better while they are looking for their new "forever" homes.
Other than that I still have my Weight Watchers job and enjoy that very much too. Keeps me hopping sometime but It is a very rewarding and fun job.I have a great team that works with me and we really have grown close to each other.
Ok... Bob just walked into the room (sent him out to get the garbage can this time) and I can't concentrate now so this will be it for today.
(Are you happy, Jan !! )
Hugs
Dee
I get frustrated at times when people come up with a one liner and it is never explained what is going on. I don't call that communication. It just makes me wondering what happened or is going to happen and it leaves me feel like...OK, what is going on here. Is this something I could be praying about or something I could be celebrating with this person. Leaves my hanging....that is frustrating !
I went back this morning and read some of my former blogs and they were actually sort on interesting. One wonders sometime how much of life goes by and we sort of forget about all of fun little interesting little things that go on.
So I have no agenda at all this morning as I sit here with my cup of coffee listening to the winds we are getting this morning. We just had a 58 mile an hour gust they just said on the radio. Of course it is garbage day so our can is sitting by the road waiting to be picked up by the garbage truck.That may or may not happen as he doesn't get out of his truck and if it is laying on it's side it just stays there. It has already been picked up out of the driveway twice this morning because the wind blew it over. Luckily, ours is always in plastic bags tied shut so it didn't spill out onto the road. The neighbors down the road had things flying all over their yard. Plastic bags, cartons etc just enjoying a little trip flying thru the air to land where ever. (OHHHH - there went ours again - another THUD and sure enough it is on it's side. Maybe Bob will be up soon, it's his turn I think !!)
See, now wasn't that one thing you really needed to know this morning..my little episode with our garbage can. Sometimes I wonder why my friends (one especially !!) keeps bugging me to blog. I know you just wouldn't have been happy going thru this day not knowing I am having a battle with my garbage can ! I'm sure that will REALLY MAKE YOUR DAY ! That was really one piece of info you just couldn't live without today, right ??
Life is good. We continue to keep busy...I have cut back on some things to just have more time for some other things but I still have enough to more than keep me busy. I am enjoying more time to myself though. I still go to the Animal Shelter every Tuesday. I just realized the other day that I started going out there every Tuesday in 2004 right after I retired. I had a gal going to my WW meeting that volunteered out there and she told me about it and then Chester and Samantha (our two little feral kittys) showed up on our doorstep as wild as could be and I went out there to get a trap to catch them and have them neutered and spayed so we wouldn't get more feral kittens around and put in a volunteer sheet and began working shortly thereafter. I still love going out there. I volunteer in the kitty room just socializing and petting them so they are feeling loved which makes them adjust better to their situation and therefore easier to get adopted. It was hard at first because you feel sorry for them and want to take them all home but it doesn't take long to realize that is not possible but I can make their lives better while they are looking for their new "forever" homes.
Other than that I still have my Weight Watchers job and enjoy that very much too. Keeps me hopping sometime but It is a very rewarding and fun job.I have a great team that works with me and we really have grown close to each other.
Ok... Bob just walked into the room (sent him out to get the garbage can this time) and I can't concentrate now so this will be it for today.
(Are you happy, Jan !! )
Hugs
Dee
Monday, August 30, 2010
Do It NOW !
This is my new motto ! I have gotten so bad about putting things off it is driving me crazy. Like when the dryer stops - my resolution when I retired was to not pile the clothes in the clothes basket and set them aside but to fold them as they come out of the dryer (well - That didn't happen) Although that one doesn't bother me too much as that is one thing I can do when we sit down to watch TV.. so I am pretty much ok with that one.
BUT the clothes that I hang on the hook so they won't get wrinkled do tend to hang there way too long. It really doesn't take anymore time to go hang them right up instead of putting them on the hook in the laundry room and then look at them each time I go thru there.
We all have things I'm sure that bug us - little rituals we set in our minds as important. I remember Mom's was always a dirty bathtub. Now think about it - how many dirty bathtubs do you really ever see but that was her hangup. She always said if my bathtub is clean I feel good. Well OK that doesn't seem to be a problem for me...Not that I often have a dirty bathtub but it just isn't my particular hangup.
However, dirty dishes in the sink is.... Somehow I just don't like to see dirty dishes in there for some reason. It just takes a second to rinse them and stick them out of sight in the dishwasher.
Or how about mail that lays on the table waiting to be decided what to do with it.
Get it in the wastebasket if it isn't important and if it is then put it where it won't get lost! That's my motto. I have solved that one by putting it in a basket where it is safe until we forget about it - then go thru it and half of it isn't really as important as we thought and it gets sorted out then.
Now then - we get to people that are always late.... That one REALLY gets me. I like to be EARLY if anything. We had some people that were always late for our Bible Class at our old church and someone said "Well, we should start later." No Way Hosea - They would have just arrived later yet as that was just their practice. Let them sheepishly tiptoe in late if they can't leave on time !
Then there is even my cat with his "late" problem only he isn't late really, just stubborn. Cats live their own lives you know and sometimes they give in to our desires but not usually. He will come RUNNING across the yard when I call him like he just can't wait to come in THEN he comes to a screeching halt right outside the door which I am holding open for him - STOPS and SITS DOWN and looks at me with his sweet little face ! Then after awhile he stands up, stretches with his front feet, then leisurely with his back feet and then sits down again. By then I usually shut the door in his face and then open it up again and usually he will slowly tiptoe in at his own pace. We can get even with him though if Bob is sitting in his chair I ask him to shake Chesters "treat" jar so the way to get him in is thru his stomach!
Clutter is another thing that doesn't get along with me much although I have PLENTY of it around. Sometimes my desk gets so I can't even see the top. Then I just have to sit down and start going thru it. Why can't I just put things neatly in a file drawer or a box instead of piling them up in a stack to "put away later because I'm in a hurry now." In a hurry for what ?...
Then there's our new coffee pot. It is a "one cup at a time" pot (LOVE IT!) but when it is low on water you have to take out the canister and fill it and it always seemed to be out of water when you wanted your coffee the most SO now I fill it when it is half full and that problem was solved! There are solutions to what bugs us if we can just be flexible and think about ways to make life more enjoyable and not always just get uptight!
My time is pretty much used how I want to spend it. There's not too much I am tied down to when it comes to time. Just in my head I think "I'll do that later !" WHY? WHY NOT NOW ? It takes no more time to do it now and then it is done, out of sight and I feel good about it...Life is funny sometimes. We do things that bug us and then never really wonder why we get upset with ourselves because things aren't the way we want them to be.
RELAX - ENJOY LIFE AS THE GIFT THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US AND DON'T GET HUNG UP ON THE LITTLE THINGS. They aren't really that important in the real scope of things.
Save yourself an ulcer or worse....Go with the flow and ask yourself "Does this really matter enough to get up tight about it ?" JUST DO IT NOW AND IT IS DONE!
BUT the clothes that I hang on the hook so they won't get wrinkled do tend to hang there way too long. It really doesn't take anymore time to go hang them right up instead of putting them on the hook in the laundry room and then look at them each time I go thru there.
We all have things I'm sure that bug us - little rituals we set in our minds as important. I remember Mom's was always a dirty bathtub. Now think about it - how many dirty bathtubs do you really ever see but that was her hangup. She always said if my bathtub is clean I feel good. Well OK that doesn't seem to be a problem for me...Not that I often have a dirty bathtub but it just isn't my particular hangup.
However, dirty dishes in the sink is.... Somehow I just don't like to see dirty dishes in there for some reason. It just takes a second to rinse them and stick them out of sight in the dishwasher.
Or how about mail that lays on the table waiting to be decided what to do with it.
Get it in the wastebasket if it isn't important and if it is then put it where it won't get lost! That's my motto. I have solved that one by putting it in a basket where it is safe until we forget about it - then go thru it and half of it isn't really as important as we thought and it gets sorted out then.
Now then - we get to people that are always late.... That one REALLY gets me. I like to be EARLY if anything. We had some people that were always late for our Bible Class at our old church and someone said "Well, we should start later." No Way Hosea - They would have just arrived later yet as that was just their practice. Let them sheepishly tiptoe in late if they can't leave on time !
Then there is even my cat with his "late" problem only he isn't late really, just stubborn. Cats live their own lives you know and sometimes they give in to our desires but not usually. He will come RUNNING across the yard when I call him like he just can't wait to come in THEN he comes to a screeching halt right outside the door which I am holding open for him - STOPS and SITS DOWN and looks at me with his sweet little face ! Then after awhile he stands up, stretches with his front feet, then leisurely with his back feet and then sits down again. By then I usually shut the door in his face and then open it up again and usually he will slowly tiptoe in at his own pace. We can get even with him though if Bob is sitting in his chair I ask him to shake Chesters "treat" jar so the way to get him in is thru his stomach!
Clutter is another thing that doesn't get along with me much although I have PLENTY of it around. Sometimes my desk gets so I can't even see the top. Then I just have to sit down and start going thru it. Why can't I just put things neatly in a file drawer or a box instead of piling them up in a stack to "put away later because I'm in a hurry now." In a hurry for what ?...
Then there's our new coffee pot. It is a "one cup at a time" pot (LOVE IT!) but when it is low on water you have to take out the canister and fill it and it always seemed to be out of water when you wanted your coffee the most SO now I fill it when it is half full and that problem was solved! There are solutions to what bugs us if we can just be flexible and think about ways to make life more enjoyable and not always just get uptight!
My time is pretty much used how I want to spend it. There's not too much I am tied down to when it comes to time. Just in my head I think "I'll do that later !" WHY? WHY NOT NOW ? It takes no more time to do it now and then it is done, out of sight and I feel good about it...Life is funny sometimes. We do things that bug us and then never really wonder why we get upset with ourselves because things aren't the way we want them to be.
RELAX - ENJOY LIFE AS THE GIFT THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US AND DON'T GET HUNG UP ON THE LITTLE THINGS. They aren't really that important in the real scope of things.
Save yourself an ulcer or worse....Go with the flow and ask yourself "Does this really matter enough to get up tight about it ?" JUST DO IT NOW AND IT IS DONE!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Life At It's Best : )
What a bummer. The last time I sat down to blog I ended up with a nicely length for a blog..after many months of blank space in my head. Pushed the publish button and it TOTALLY disappeared so if this one does that I am really going to be upset.
Can't even remember what I wrote on that one or I would just ditto it....
BUT here I sit - totally blank... in front of a blank blog with no thoughts of interest to anyone or myself --What a bummer !
But I promised to try and get one off so here goes --- ramble - ramble !
Guess I could do like Cathy does sometimes and just post "random thoughts."
Probably not of interest to anyone but at least it will be something.
1. WEll, I CAN DRIVE AGAIN - GOT MY FREEDOM BACK. BOTH BOB AND I ARE BOTH SINGING PRAISES. Bless his heart, he has been packing me around for over six months and I had been going stir crazy for some alone time too. LOVE IT !
2. Why can I drive? I have a new "kicker bumper" - WEll, I guess I should say I got a pacemaker to keep my heart beating on a regular rhythm.. It's pretty cool actually. I have a monitor by my beside and every night it checks how things are going and my Dr in Beaverton checks it periodically and makes sure all is normal. No regular trips to the big city. It is all done remotely. Only have to check in once a year if it is doing ok. Pretty handy, huh ? (So no more fainting spells yippee !)
3. Weight Watchers - still plugging along with my three meetings at least until the end of summer then think I will get to go back to my two regular mtgs. It has been enjoyable but keeps me pretty busy each week. Then I also have been doing a lot of subbing for other gals so some weeks it is REALLY interesting. One week I ended up with seven meetings. Two across the river, one in Knappa and one in Seaside besides my three. That was quite a week !!
3. Our yard. It is a MESS - I have the name of a guy from church that does garden work for people. I need to give him a call and see if we can get something done to it. I can't do any pulling or heavy lifting so can't really accomplish what needs to be done out there. Our sweet gal, Jackie, is mowing our lawn for us (Thanks Jackie) but she has her own yard to take care of so we need to call in "the troops" and see what we can have done.
4. Church - VBS was a blast ! Had about 200 kids throughout the week. 20 decisions for Christ. Bob did the coolest video to show to the parents on the closing day. We have a baptism at the lake coming up in August. They are so fun ! I'm sure there will be some of the VBS children taking part.
5.Kittys - We found our neighbor kitty, Mia, up on our roof one day recently.... She was totally content to sleep up there in the corner where the garage roof meets the house but we finally had to get the ladder to get her down. She is a sweetie. We still can't figure how she got up there.
Chester is doing fine. Is a bed hog at night sprawling out full length across the bed totally inconsiderate of anyone else that might want to stretch out and get some leg room.
Shelter kittys - have had a pretty good summer. Had six or so adopted in just the past week or so. Judi and I still enjoy every Tuesday going out to love and snuggle with them. Kittens have been slow so far this year and go fast when they come in.
6. New things - We finally got our act together and purchased two new recliner chairs for our living room. Came to the realization we got our old ones shortly after we moved in here in 1991. Bought our old ones at Montgomery Wards in Longview. Does that tell you something. They are no more... They have served us well but it is time for a change. Bought our new ones right next door and J & S.
7 Pretty boring year - didn't take any trips to speak of.. Just old "home bodies" for some reason... Nothing currently planned - BUMMER ! Now summer is nearly over....
8.Rural Excitement !! We looked out the window awhile back and saw a HUGE BLACK BULL in our front yard. I mean HUGE!! He was just munching away at our lawn (maybe the answer to our yard upkeep ?) He had escaped from the pasture behind our house. The city sent out a patrol car to watch him until the owner could get over here to round him up. I wasn't about to mess with him. HE WAS HUGE. Every time I would go out on the deck to check on him, he would raise his head and look at me with drool and long weeds hanging out of his mouth. The patrol car played tag with him keeping him off the street until his owner arrived. This is the second time he has come to "visit" I know ! I know! Small town excitement !!
9. That has been my "interesting" life recently. NOW you know why I haven't blogged Who would be interested in this anyway !
Love all you faithful check in people even if I don't blog !
Can't even remember what I wrote on that one or I would just ditto it....
BUT here I sit - totally blank... in front of a blank blog with no thoughts of interest to anyone or myself --What a bummer !
But I promised to try and get one off so here goes --- ramble - ramble !
Guess I could do like Cathy does sometimes and just post "random thoughts."
Probably not of interest to anyone but at least it will be something.
1. WEll, I CAN DRIVE AGAIN - GOT MY FREEDOM BACK. BOTH BOB AND I ARE BOTH SINGING PRAISES. Bless his heart, he has been packing me around for over six months and I had been going stir crazy for some alone time too. LOVE IT !
2. Why can I drive? I have a new "kicker bumper" - WEll, I guess I should say I got a pacemaker to keep my heart beating on a regular rhythm.. It's pretty cool actually. I have a monitor by my beside and every night it checks how things are going and my Dr in Beaverton checks it periodically and makes sure all is normal. No regular trips to the big city. It is all done remotely. Only have to check in once a year if it is doing ok. Pretty handy, huh ? (So no more fainting spells yippee !)
3. Weight Watchers - still plugging along with my three meetings at least until the end of summer then think I will get to go back to my two regular mtgs. It has been enjoyable but keeps me pretty busy each week. Then I also have been doing a lot of subbing for other gals so some weeks it is REALLY interesting. One week I ended up with seven meetings. Two across the river, one in Knappa and one in Seaside besides my three. That was quite a week !!
3. Our yard. It is a MESS - I have the name of a guy from church that does garden work for people. I need to give him a call and see if we can get something done to it. I can't do any pulling or heavy lifting so can't really accomplish what needs to be done out there. Our sweet gal, Jackie, is mowing our lawn for us (Thanks Jackie) but she has her own yard to take care of so we need to call in "the troops" and see what we can have done.
4. Church - VBS was a blast ! Had about 200 kids throughout the week. 20 decisions for Christ. Bob did the coolest video to show to the parents on the closing day. We have a baptism at the lake coming up in August. They are so fun ! I'm sure there will be some of the VBS children taking part.
5.Kittys - We found our neighbor kitty, Mia, up on our roof one day recently.... She was totally content to sleep up there in the corner where the garage roof meets the house but we finally had to get the ladder to get her down. She is a sweetie. We still can't figure how she got up there.
Chester is doing fine. Is a bed hog at night sprawling out full length across the bed totally inconsiderate of anyone else that might want to stretch out and get some leg room.
Shelter kittys - have had a pretty good summer. Had six or so adopted in just the past week or so. Judi and I still enjoy every Tuesday going out to love and snuggle with them. Kittens have been slow so far this year and go fast when they come in.
6. New things - We finally got our act together and purchased two new recliner chairs for our living room. Came to the realization we got our old ones shortly after we moved in here in 1991. Bought our old ones at Montgomery Wards in Longview. Does that tell you something. They are no more... They have served us well but it is time for a change. Bought our new ones right next door and J & S.
7 Pretty boring year - didn't take any trips to speak of.. Just old "home bodies" for some reason... Nothing currently planned - BUMMER ! Now summer is nearly over....
8.Rural Excitement !! We looked out the window awhile back and saw a HUGE BLACK BULL in our front yard. I mean HUGE!! He was just munching away at our lawn (maybe the answer to our yard upkeep ?) He had escaped from the pasture behind our house. The city sent out a patrol car to watch him until the owner could get over here to round him up. I wasn't about to mess with him. HE WAS HUGE. Every time I would go out on the deck to check on him, he would raise his head and look at me with drool and long weeds hanging out of his mouth. The patrol car played tag with him keeping him off the street until his owner arrived. This is the second time he has come to "visit" I know ! I know! Small town excitement !!
9. That has been my "interesting" life recently. NOW you know why I haven't blogged Who would be interested in this anyway !
Love all you faithful check in people even if I don't blog !
Thursday, July 22, 2010
So sorry !
I just spent 20 minutes posting and then lost it.
I'll try to get back and redo it later. I have too many things to do this am!
I'll try to get back and redo it later. I have too many things to do this am!
Monday, April 12, 2010
APRIL 12 - A SPECIAL DAY
Today is my Daddy's birthday. He would have been 98 today.
He went to be with His Lord October 3, 2001. I still missed him.
He was always my rock when I was growing up. Somewhat gruff at times
but he always loved us kids and I could always depend on him.
He could fix ANYTHING and love to work in his garage on all kinds
of projects. He was always puttering out there with something for someone. He made
beautiful things with wood. Furniture, lamps and all kinds of beautiful things.
He and Mom moved us to a six acre farm when we were little and he drove
all the way thru our town and a neighboring town to get to work each day,
but we all loved the farm. We had animals and six acres all to ourselves.
He loved Mom with all his heart and cared for her up until the day she
went to be with the Lord.
He was my big strong oak tree with branches sheltering me from life for
the first 18 years of my life and even after I moved out, I knew he was
always there for me! LOVE YOU DAD !!
It is also my daughter-in-laws birthday but I consider her just "my daughter".
She is such a beautiful part of our family. I love her dearly and she
is all I could ask for in a daughter. I'm so glad she shares Dad's birthday.
It makes the day EXTRA SPECIAL. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LA CHEL !
He went to be with His Lord October 3, 2001. I still missed him.
He was always my rock when I was growing up. Somewhat gruff at times
but he always loved us kids and I could always depend on him.
He could fix ANYTHING and love to work in his garage on all kinds
of projects. He was always puttering out there with something for someone. He made
beautiful things with wood. Furniture, lamps and all kinds of beautiful things.
He and Mom moved us to a six acre farm when we were little and he drove
all the way thru our town and a neighboring town to get to work each day,
but we all loved the farm. We had animals and six acres all to ourselves.
He loved Mom with all his heart and cared for her up until the day she
went to be with the Lord.
He was my big strong oak tree with branches sheltering me from life for
the first 18 years of my life and even after I moved out, I knew he was
always there for me! LOVE YOU DAD !!
It is also my daughter-in-laws birthday but I consider her just "my daughter".
She is such a beautiful part of our family. I love her dearly and she
is all I could ask for in a daughter. I'm so glad she shares Dad's birthday.
It makes the day EXTRA SPECIAL. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LA CHEL !
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Chores
Chores are funny things Some are regular little things you HAVE to do each day...Others lurk over your head saying "I need to be done, don't ignore me" and yet I so often do just that. They can dominate and frustrate us beyond belief if we just ignore them and they often just hang there in the back of the mind.
I tried making lists of what needs to be done but that usually doesn't help either.
Time just seems to disappear sometimes and those pesky little chores just remain out there saying "Don't forget me, Don't forget me, I need to be done and I'm not letting you off the hook until they are done."
So what do I do with my time, who knows, it just disappears, right gang!I got up this morning, fed my kitty and let him out. Took my shower, had my breakfast, checked my e-mail to be sure I didn't have a message from one of my WW staff saying that they couldn't be there tonight for some reason, left a quick note on Facebook, then had my devotions. Then my day was open until about 2 pm.
What to do - what to do ?? Such decisions!
Well, I looked at my desk, I could clear it off (what a mess it gets to be),I could do some scrapbooking (that's always an option) I could clean the kitchen floor (that didn't sound like fun.) So now I sit here deciding to do what to do with what is left of my day before I leave for my mtg. Then I spotted something that has been lurking on my desk for months. Bob pays the bills but when he is done with them they get stacked on the upper shelf of my desk to file. WELL, guess what, that is one that has been lurking there since the end of last year so the light bulb went on and I scooped them up and got them sorted out this morning. WOW, what a chore but now it is done ! Maybe I shouldn't let them go so long, you think? One down, but can you believe this, my Christmas cards are lurking in my desk drawer waiting to be recorded in my list book. Maybe that should be next.
And then there is my scrapbook room in desperate need of reorganization so I can find what I need when I need it !
Oh well, life is full of things to do and sometimes organization isn't always at the top of the list. As organized as I like to be, I have learned there are more important things in life than always having everything in it's place every second of every day. (Even though I would love that sort of life.)
OOPS Bob just got up, had his breakfast and now it is time for our devotions .. back in a minute !
That is how my days go. Always something coming up that seems to leave all those little chores undone.
One chore I don't have to deal with anymore is the vacuuming! We recently bought a "Roomba" Have you seen them ---a little circle of love as far as I'm concerned. He sits in his docking station and when I need to vacuum I wake him up, block off the room I want done, push his little clean button, he chirps back with a cute little tune and takes off across my floor and I go back to whatever I wanted to be doing.
He buzzes around the room until he finally has it all clean, beeps again and goes back to his docking station with all the junk from the floor in his tummy to be emptied later.
It was so cute when we had our little stray gray kitty that lived on our front porch for awhile was here, he would look in the sliding door and his head would go back and forth watching it move across the floor. I'm sure he couldn't figure out what it was. There was a spot on YouTube awhile back of a kitty that rode around on it as it cleaned. It was really cute. Don't know how he kept his tail from getting caught in it though as it just trailed along behind Roomba on the floor.
So such is life in the Carson household. Things getting done eventually...
Not to worry. There are more important things in life that having everything in the exact spot it should be and every hair in place.
Enjoy life, put God and people first and you will live a fulfilling life that will honor him.
Have a good day today....and maybe try to squeeze in "just one little chore that will make you feel happy and fulfilled today."
I tried making lists of what needs to be done but that usually doesn't help either.
Time just seems to disappear sometimes and those pesky little chores just remain out there saying "Don't forget me, Don't forget me, I need to be done and I'm not letting you off the hook until they are done."
So what do I do with my time, who knows, it just disappears, right gang!I got up this morning, fed my kitty and let him out. Took my shower, had my breakfast, checked my e-mail to be sure I didn't have a message from one of my WW staff saying that they couldn't be there tonight for some reason, left a quick note on Facebook, then had my devotions. Then my day was open until about 2 pm.
What to do - what to do ?? Such decisions!
Well, I looked at my desk, I could clear it off (what a mess it gets to be),I could do some scrapbooking (that's always an option) I could clean the kitchen floor (that didn't sound like fun.) So now I sit here deciding to do what to do with what is left of my day before I leave for my mtg. Then I spotted something that has been lurking on my desk for months. Bob pays the bills but when he is done with them they get stacked on the upper shelf of my desk to file. WELL, guess what, that is one that has been lurking there since the end of last year so the light bulb went on and I scooped them up and got them sorted out this morning. WOW, what a chore but now it is done ! Maybe I shouldn't let them go so long, you think? One down, but can you believe this, my Christmas cards are lurking in my desk drawer waiting to be recorded in my list book. Maybe that should be next.
And then there is my scrapbook room in desperate need of reorganization so I can find what I need when I need it !
Oh well, life is full of things to do and sometimes organization isn't always at the top of the list. As organized as I like to be, I have learned there are more important things in life than always having everything in it's place every second of every day. (Even though I would love that sort of life.)
OOPS Bob just got up, had his breakfast and now it is time for our devotions .. back in a minute !
That is how my days go. Always something coming up that seems to leave all those little chores undone.
One chore I don't have to deal with anymore is the vacuuming! We recently bought a "Roomba" Have you seen them ---a little circle of love as far as I'm concerned. He sits in his docking station and when I need to vacuum I wake him up, block off the room I want done, push his little clean button, he chirps back with a cute little tune and takes off across my floor and I go back to whatever I wanted to be doing.
He buzzes around the room until he finally has it all clean, beeps again and goes back to his docking station with all the junk from the floor in his tummy to be emptied later.
It was so cute when we had our little stray gray kitty that lived on our front porch for awhile was here, he would look in the sliding door and his head would go back and forth watching it move across the floor. I'm sure he couldn't figure out what it was. There was a spot on YouTube awhile back of a kitty that rode around on it as it cleaned. It was really cute. Don't know how he kept his tail from getting caught in it though as it just trailed along behind Roomba on the floor.
So such is life in the Carson household. Things getting done eventually...
Not to worry. There are more important things in life that having everything in the exact spot it should be and every hair in place.
Enjoy life, put God and people first and you will live a fulfilling life that will honor him.
Have a good day today....and maybe try to squeeze in "just one little chore that will make you feel happy and fulfilled today."
Monday, December 14, 2009
Stressed or Not Stressed - That is the Question
IF
IF you can get along without pep pills
IF you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains
IF you can resist complaining to and boring people with your troubles
IF you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it.
IF you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time
IF you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you when, through no fault of your own, something goes wrong
IF you can take criticism and blame without resentment
IF you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct him or her
IF you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor one.
IF you can face the world without lies and deceit
IF you can conquer tension without medical help
IF you can relax without liquor
IF you can sleep without the aid of pills
IF you can honestly say that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against creed, sex, color, religion, national origin, gender preference or political parties
THEN YOU HAVE ALMOST REACHED THE SAME LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT AS A DOG OR CAT.....
Don't you need a friend like this? Learn to deal with your stress as you stroke a kitty on your lap - Consider adoption of a kitty or dog for Christmas.
You will NEVER find a more faithful friend anywhere ~~~
MERRY CHRISTMAS
IF you can get along without pep pills
IF you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains
IF you can resist complaining to and boring people with your troubles
IF you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it.
IF you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time
IF you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you when, through no fault of your own, something goes wrong
IF you can take criticism and blame without resentment
IF you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct him or her
IF you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor one.
IF you can face the world without lies and deceit
IF you can conquer tension without medical help
IF you can relax without liquor
IF you can sleep without the aid of pills
IF you can honestly say that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against creed, sex, color, religion, national origin, gender preference or political parties
THEN YOU HAVE ALMOST REACHED THE SAME LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT AS A DOG OR CAT.....
Don't you need a friend like this? Learn to deal with your stress as you stroke a kitty on your lap - Consider adoption of a kitty or dog for Christmas.
You will NEVER find a more faithful friend anywhere ~~~
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Monday, October 19, 2009
DO YOU HAVE AN EAGLE LURKING OUTSIDE ??
Don't you just love it when God uses ever day things in your life to prove a point when you begin to question things ???
In our church small group study this fall we are going thru a book called "Respectable Sins."
Last night we studied a very thought provoking chapter. It was on anxiety, frustration and worry....basically the opposite of trust in God thru all things that take place in our lives ! It says anxiety is a sin because it is a lack of acceptance of God's providence in our lives. He is orchestrating all events and circumstances in our lives because He loves us and knows what is best for us.
But think about that, do we really act like that when some of our plans change and/or we get bad news about something or someone and we get anxious and worried about the situation. When thing don't go as WE planned! Usually we get all frustrated and worried when something doesn't go right - traffic is tangled so we are late for a very important meeting... or someone in the family is going thru a crisis and we can't understand why God is allowing that!
How could God allow that if He really loves us."
We had a great discussion last night about how God often intervenes in our lives with circumstances when we have no idea He really is controlling the situation (good or bad) because of His love and care for us.
This morning He reinforced that in my life with my sweet kitty and an eagle.
Chester had been in all night and I let him out when I got up as usual. Then noticed a short time later he was at the door wanting back in. So I opened the door...he went to his dish and ate a short time, then headed back to the door and meowed to go out. JUST AS I OPENED the door in the closest huge evergreen tree near our back yard I saw the huge wide spread wings of one of our local eagles that live close by as he landed in the tree. We see them quite often flying over but they usually don't get this close.. He fluttered his wings a bit then settled in on the top branch so he could see over the whole neighborhood.
Now, let me explain, one day awhile back while I was at the animal shelter we had a lady call all shook up because she had just watched an eagle swoop down and grab her kitty right out of her back yard....SO what immediately came to my mind. "Sorry, Kitty you are not going outside while he is sitting up there." The screen door was still closed, so I shut the inside door - much to his dismay. He always goes outside in the morning and is out most of the day.
So he looks up at me with those pitiful big eyes of his as if to say " Well, let me out."
Now I tried to explain to him that it was dangerous out there for him right now and I was keeping him in because I loved him and wanted him safe and it was for his own good......it was not a good thing for him to be out there right now. Do you think that he bought that !!!
No way, I had changed his routine for the day. He immediately began meowing at me. Now he generally has this tiny little meow that you can hardly hear but when he gets upset that soon grows into sort of a howl he drags on and on with. It can be very grating on the nerves... but I was determined he was not going out as long as that eagle was looking for breakfast!
SO for the next 45 minutes I kept trying to keep him on my lap, convince him that his plan right now to go outdoors was not a good idea even though I had changed his plans, upset his whole day and ruined his agenda. HIS idea was not my idea of what was good for him right now !
That's when it hit me. That was exactly what we were talking about last night.
He was frustrated with me because I had changed HIS plans.
Don't we do the same thing with God when He changes our plans. All we see is our point of view not God's overall knowledge of what might be on 'the other side of that door and up in that tree."
So folks, the next time your plans or agenda doesn't go as planned, sit back and think about my kitty just knowing what HE wanted but totally oblivious to what was lurking outside.
We really do need to put our trust in God when things don't "go our way" and be willing to "give up our agenda" and trust Him !
YOU MAY HAVE AN EAGLE LURKING OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR AND GOD IS WANTING TO KEEP YOU SAFE....
You know God really does love us and knows what is best for us in all circumstances whatever the reason we get our noses bent out of shape with anxiety, worry and frustration.
"Cast all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
In our church small group study this fall we are going thru a book called "Respectable Sins."
Last night we studied a very thought provoking chapter. It was on anxiety, frustration and worry....basically the opposite of trust in God thru all things that take place in our lives ! It says anxiety is a sin because it is a lack of acceptance of God's providence in our lives. He is orchestrating all events and circumstances in our lives because He loves us and knows what is best for us.
But think about that, do we really act like that when some of our plans change and/or we get bad news about something or someone and we get anxious and worried about the situation. When thing don't go as WE planned! Usually we get all frustrated and worried when something doesn't go right - traffic is tangled so we are late for a very important meeting... or someone in the family is going thru a crisis and we can't understand why God is allowing that!
How could God allow that if He really loves us."
We had a great discussion last night about how God often intervenes in our lives with circumstances when we have no idea He really is controlling the situation (good or bad) because of His love and care for us.
This morning He reinforced that in my life with my sweet kitty and an eagle.
Chester had been in all night and I let him out when I got up as usual. Then noticed a short time later he was at the door wanting back in. So I opened the door...he went to his dish and ate a short time, then headed back to the door and meowed to go out. JUST AS I OPENED the door in the closest huge evergreen tree near our back yard I saw the huge wide spread wings of one of our local eagles that live close by as he landed in the tree. We see them quite often flying over but they usually don't get this close.. He fluttered his wings a bit then settled in on the top branch so he could see over the whole neighborhood.
Now, let me explain, one day awhile back while I was at the animal shelter we had a lady call all shook up because she had just watched an eagle swoop down and grab her kitty right out of her back yard....SO what immediately came to my mind. "Sorry, Kitty you are not going outside while he is sitting up there." The screen door was still closed, so I shut the inside door - much to his dismay. He always goes outside in the morning and is out most of the day.
So he looks up at me with those pitiful big eyes of his as if to say " Well, let me out."
Now I tried to explain to him that it was dangerous out there for him right now and I was keeping him in because I loved him and wanted him safe and it was for his own good......it was not a good thing for him to be out there right now. Do you think that he bought that !!!
No way, I had changed his routine for the day. He immediately began meowing at me. Now he generally has this tiny little meow that you can hardly hear but when he gets upset that soon grows into sort of a howl he drags on and on with. It can be very grating on the nerves... but I was determined he was not going out as long as that eagle was looking for breakfast!
SO for the next 45 minutes I kept trying to keep him on my lap, convince him that his plan right now to go outdoors was not a good idea even though I had changed his plans, upset his whole day and ruined his agenda. HIS idea was not my idea of what was good for him right now !
That's when it hit me. That was exactly what we were talking about last night.
He was frustrated with me because I had changed HIS plans.
Don't we do the same thing with God when He changes our plans. All we see is our point of view not God's overall knowledge of what might be on 'the other side of that door and up in that tree."
So folks, the next time your plans or agenda doesn't go as planned, sit back and think about my kitty just knowing what HE wanted but totally oblivious to what was lurking outside.
We really do need to put our trust in God when things don't "go our way" and be willing to "give up our agenda" and trust Him !
YOU MAY HAVE AN EAGLE LURKING OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR AND GOD IS WANTING TO KEEP YOU SAFE....
You know God really does love us and knows what is best for us in all circumstances whatever the reason we get our noses bent out of shape with anxiety, worry and frustration.
"Cast all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Day By Day Life
OK OK - So I don't blog much anymore. I guess Facebook has sort taken the urgency out of it but there you can't really get much detail into what is going on. But no one ever comments on my blog so I assume I'm just doing it to use as scrapbook journaling which isn't a bad thing either.
Had a fun visit with Jean and Harvey last week who drove up from Louisiana at the end of September to visit Mark and Debi and all the rest of us "northerners." It is always so good to see them. It is such a long trip but they faithfully drive out each fall.
What else is happening.... Life is busy....... but fun. Have been doing some subbing for Weight Watchers so picking up a little extra "mad money." Have gotten season tickets to the Liberty Theatre for this season and also for the Cannon Beach playhouse. We always enjoy them. It keeps us busy but is a lot of fun to attend each of them.
We are still enjoying our new church very much. Have started leading a small group in our home this fall on 'Love and Respect" - marriage related. Has been very good. Really makes you aware how much we take our spouses for granted and the importance of communication.
We have also joined a different group that meets on Sunday evenings studying "Respectable Sins" Wow, I think that is going to be a real eye opener ! Has also been really good fellowship and a great chance to really get to know our associate pastor and his wife as they lead the group. What a great couple - just everything you would expect from a pastor.
What else is happening. Bob had a chance to take a really neat trolley trip which took them all the way out to Tongue Point on the trolley on some old train tracks. He got lots of great pictures. It was just for trolley drivers not the general public.
He is still busy with lots of tours at the Maritime Museum and his regular shift on the Lightship greeting visitors from actually all over the world at times.
I'm still loving kittys weekly at the local animal shelter. Each week there is a new sweet and dear kitty it seems that needs love along with those that have been there awhile. It has slowed down a bit now that school starts. Thru the summer Moms tend to bring kids out "for something to do" with no intention of adopting a kitty. Which is fine but it does get to be a bit busy at times when we are trying to let each kitty have some play and snuggle time with us. My favorite this week was a BIG black boy named Lottie. He came out of his kennel, crawled on my lap and laid there just as long as I sat there. What a dear! Long black soft fur with big eyes that stare right into your heart. Anybody want a kitty ??
Well, enough for today. Nothing very exciting but sometimes that is good too. Life moves on and all is well - what more could we ask for.
God Is Good !! Hugs to anyone that takes time to check in. Love you all !
Had a fun visit with Jean and Harvey last week who drove up from Louisiana at the end of September to visit Mark and Debi and all the rest of us "northerners." It is always so good to see them. It is such a long trip but they faithfully drive out each fall.
What else is happening.... Life is busy....... but fun. Have been doing some subbing for Weight Watchers so picking up a little extra "mad money." Have gotten season tickets to the Liberty Theatre for this season and also for the Cannon Beach playhouse. We always enjoy them. It keeps us busy but is a lot of fun to attend each of them.
We are still enjoying our new church very much. Have started leading a small group in our home this fall on 'Love and Respect" - marriage related. Has been very good. Really makes you aware how much we take our spouses for granted and the importance of communication.
We have also joined a different group that meets on Sunday evenings studying "Respectable Sins" Wow, I think that is going to be a real eye opener ! Has also been really good fellowship and a great chance to really get to know our associate pastor and his wife as they lead the group. What a great couple - just everything you would expect from a pastor.
What else is happening. Bob had a chance to take a really neat trolley trip which took them all the way out to Tongue Point on the trolley on some old train tracks. He got lots of great pictures. It was just for trolley drivers not the general public.
He is still busy with lots of tours at the Maritime Museum and his regular shift on the Lightship greeting visitors from actually all over the world at times.
I'm still loving kittys weekly at the local animal shelter. Each week there is a new sweet and dear kitty it seems that needs love along with those that have been there awhile. It has slowed down a bit now that school starts. Thru the summer Moms tend to bring kids out "for something to do" with no intention of adopting a kitty. Which is fine but it does get to be a bit busy at times when we are trying to let each kitty have some play and snuggle time with us. My favorite this week was a BIG black boy named Lottie. He came out of his kennel, crawled on my lap and laid there just as long as I sat there. What a dear! Long black soft fur with big eyes that stare right into your heart. Anybody want a kitty ??
Well, enough for today. Nothing very exciting but sometimes that is good too. Life moves on and all is well - what more could we ask for.
God Is Good !! Hugs to anyone that takes time to check in. Love you all !
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Slow Down - I Want To Get Off
Well, I don't really really want to get off. But it could slow down a bit.
Life is good but why does it go by so fast.
Here it is fall again (My favorite season of the year) but it came so quickly this year.
I got up this morning early to meet a friend and it was DARK ! Had to come home from my meeting last week after dark too.
But I love the beauty of the fall leaves and the cozyness of being at home after dark as snug as a "bug in a rug.". Just always something special about that for me.
Life has been so busy lately. I guess that is why it is going so fast. All good things happening
but it just seems like the days, weeks and even months just whiz by !!
What are we doing ? I don't really know. Just living daily life but we are totally enjoying it.
Love our new church and our activities there. We will be starting a small group at our home
in three weeks. A marriage seminar and it really looks interesting from our first glance at the material. We are praying for just the right mix of people to really bond and be able to share ideas, problems and solutions while making new acquaintences that we pray will be lasting friendships. Totally enjoyed the church picnic and baptism last Sunday. How inspiring to see 20 or so people step into the waters of baptism from a 7 year just saved at VBS this year to an 85 year old lady who had been a Christian for a long time but had never been baptized. God is so good....and it is so refreshing to see our church reaching out to the community in a way that is so what God commands us to do !
I'm loving my Weight Watcher job. It is so much fun each week...I have been substituting for another leader the last two weeks and have one more week to go SO I have been leading four meetings a week. Wouldn't want to do it on a regular basis but it has been fun to work with different people and get to know the members that attend there. I love my staff - we work so well together and have formed REAL bonds of friendship above and beyond our working relationship.
Haven't really done too much traveling or exciting things this year but it has been a good summer! Had the joy of our oldest grandson, Cameron, propose to the sweetest little gal and we are so excited for them. A new grandaughter !! We love it. Life moves on and it is so fun to see them around each other. Brings back fun memories of when we got engaged. Bob was in the Coast Guard and had been away at ET school in Conneticut. I was in my senior year of high school. He bought my ring with the travel money he got to come home. We had known for a long time we were meant for each other, after all we had gone together for about two years but there is something very special when the ring really comes ! Happy Memories and hard to believe we will have our 50th wedding anniversary next June 18 ! Talk about time flying by - that really confirms it !! Wouldn't trade a day of it for anything !!
LIFE IS GOOD -
Life is good but why does it go by so fast.
Here it is fall again (My favorite season of the year) but it came so quickly this year.
I got up this morning early to meet a friend and it was DARK ! Had to come home from my meeting last week after dark too.
But I love the beauty of the fall leaves and the cozyness of being at home after dark as snug as a "bug in a rug.". Just always something special about that for me.
Life has been so busy lately. I guess that is why it is going so fast. All good things happening
but it just seems like the days, weeks and even months just whiz by !!
What are we doing ? I don't really know. Just living daily life but we are totally enjoying it.
Love our new church and our activities there. We will be starting a small group at our home
in three weeks. A marriage seminar and it really looks interesting from our first glance at the material. We are praying for just the right mix of people to really bond and be able to share ideas, problems and solutions while making new acquaintences that we pray will be lasting friendships. Totally enjoyed the church picnic and baptism last Sunday. How inspiring to see 20 or so people step into the waters of baptism from a 7 year just saved at VBS this year to an 85 year old lady who had been a Christian for a long time but had never been baptized. God is so good....and it is so refreshing to see our church reaching out to the community in a way that is so what God commands us to do !
I'm loving my Weight Watcher job. It is so much fun each week...I have been substituting for another leader the last two weeks and have one more week to go SO I have been leading four meetings a week. Wouldn't want to do it on a regular basis but it has been fun to work with different people and get to know the members that attend there. I love my staff - we work so well together and have formed REAL bonds of friendship above and beyond our working relationship.
Haven't really done too much traveling or exciting things this year but it has been a good summer! Had the joy of our oldest grandson, Cameron, propose to the sweetest little gal and we are so excited for them. A new grandaughter !! We love it. Life moves on and it is so fun to see them around each other. Brings back fun memories of when we got engaged. Bob was in the Coast Guard and had been away at ET school in Conneticut. I was in my senior year of high school. He bought my ring with the travel money he got to come home. We had known for a long time we were meant for each other, after all we had gone together for about two years but there is something very special when the ring really comes ! Happy Memories and hard to believe we will have our 50th wedding anniversary next June 18 ! Talk about time flying by - that really confirms it !! Wouldn't trade a day of it for anything !!
LIFE IS GOOD -
Monday, August 3, 2009
Garage Sale Fun
Just finished up two weekends of sales in our garage. The first just a normal old 2 day garage sale with assorted items and odds and ends...the second focusing on craft/scrapbook supplies. We just left all our tables set up after the first one was over and set up again for just a one day sale. Had a blast at both. We just enjoy seeing and talking to all of the people that come to shop.
Like:
* The Bike Man - He stopped by because he needed a blanket. (yes, he found one) He said he had had a heart attack awhile back and decided he needed some exercise so he was riding his bike all the way down the coast. Interesting man !
* The Alligator Man - He stopped just to see if we had any type of alligator (stuffed, statues, etc)
He had some throat surgery awhile back and said he sort of sounded like an alligator when he tried to talk after his surgery and got sort of interested in alligators and had started collecting them! (Sorry, no alligators)
*The Cat Lady - Came looking for cat items. She has a refuge home for cats (think she said she currently had 18) Not a cat "hoarder" like we hear of sometimes though. She has a regular little house her husband built for them full of toys, climbing things etc and loves and pets spends time with them regularly.
*The Joke Man - Came in with his wife and while she was looking around, he came up and started talking. Then shared a silly little joke with us and when we sort of chuckled, he was encouraged and told us another one. (Don't laugh, if you don't want another joke : )
His wife finally came, bought some items and rescued us ! )
We really do enjoy seeing and talking to everyone that comes. We have one most every year and now are getting a regular following of people that know we put out good stuff and come regularly when they see our ads and signs. We have the ideal place at our house as we catch not only the newspaper ad people but bring in gobs of people who are just shopping at Costco and Freddy's on weekends. We have big yellow signs that are all alike and have big arrows that are easy to follow. Lots of people comment on our good signage....
BUT it is good to have them done this year.... Had a good year money wise too. People are looking for bargains....
Like:
* The Bike Man - He stopped by because he needed a blanket. (yes, he found one) He said he had had a heart attack awhile back and decided he needed some exercise so he was riding his bike all the way down the coast. Interesting man !
* The Alligator Man - He stopped just to see if we had any type of alligator (stuffed, statues, etc)
He had some throat surgery awhile back and said he sort of sounded like an alligator when he tried to talk after his surgery and got sort of interested in alligators and had started collecting them! (Sorry, no alligators)
*The Cat Lady - Came looking for cat items. She has a refuge home for cats (think she said she currently had 18) Not a cat "hoarder" like we hear of sometimes though. She has a regular little house her husband built for them full of toys, climbing things etc and loves and pets spends time with them regularly.
*The Joke Man - Came in with his wife and while she was looking around, he came up and started talking. Then shared a silly little joke with us and when we sort of chuckled, he was encouraged and told us another one. (Don't laugh, if you don't want another joke : )
His wife finally came, bought some items and rescued us ! )
We really do enjoy seeing and talking to everyone that comes. We have one most every year and now are getting a regular following of people that know we put out good stuff and come regularly when they see our ads and signs. We have the ideal place at our house as we catch not only the newspaper ad people but bring in gobs of people who are just shopping at Costco and Freddy's on weekends. We have big yellow signs that are all alike and have big arrows that are easy to follow. Lots of people comment on our good signage....
BUT it is good to have them done this year.... Had a good year money wise too. People are looking for bargains....
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Take 2 - Got some pictures !
Got some pictures in but they aren't in the order I wanted them in. Will have to work on that I guess. #1 The first one is all the "loot" he got. We had people bring 70 of whatever item they wanted. Ranged from 70 pennies from a friend to 70 chocolate kisses from me : )
People were very creative with their ideas.
#2 Then we have the whole gang outside after the party.
#3 is Bob's entrance at the party with everyone hiding off to the side.
#4 is the fantastic poster Ken had made up.
#5 his cake. HE BLEW OUT ALL 70 CANDLES WITH ONE BREATH !
WHAT A RELIEF !
What a relief is right. The kids actually pulled off Bob's 70th Birthday Party without a hitch!
It was a total surprise to him. We had 43 people in attendance at the Warrenton Community Center on the day after his birthday.... We had gone out to dinner on his birthday with friends so he wouldn't think we weren't celebrating and be suspicious. It was a blast. From friends we hadn't seen in ages to very new friends from our new church.
One will never know how many slips there were before that could have led him to know that something was up but they all seem to go right over his head never expecting anything like this.
The kids brought it up months ago and we set the date, reserved the room etc and then tried to keep him at home and not doing anything that day to pull it off.
I know it was a lot of work for the kids but it meant so much to Bob just to know they would take the time, effort and travel to honor him in this way.
THANKS KIDS FOR EVERYTHING.... IT WAS VERY SPECIAL !
So sorry -- I had pictures to add to this and for some reason, it won't load pictures. Will try later..
It was a total surprise to him. We had 43 people in attendance at the Warrenton Community Center on the day after his birthday.... We had gone out to dinner on his birthday with friends so he wouldn't think we weren't celebrating and be suspicious. It was a blast. From friends we hadn't seen in ages to very new friends from our new church.
One will never know how many slips there were before that could have led him to know that something was up but they all seem to go right over his head never expecting anything like this.
The kids brought it up months ago and we set the date, reserved the room etc and then tried to keep him at home and not doing anything that day to pull it off.
I know it was a lot of work for the kids but it meant so much to Bob just to know they would take the time, effort and travel to honor him in this way.
THANKS KIDS FOR EVERYTHING.... IT WAS VERY SPECIAL !
So sorry -- I had pictures to add to this and for some reason, it won't load pictures. Will try later..
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
I'm Coming, I'm Coming
I am so far behind in blogging I can't believe it
Haven't shared Bob's birthday party or a zillion other ideas I have had.
But things are still busy, busy, busy !
I will be back -
don't give up
Haven't shared Bob's birthday party or a zillion other ideas I have had.
But things are still busy, busy, busy !
I will be back -
don't give up
Thursday, May 21, 2009
WHAT'S THE CHANCE !
TIMING IS SUCH A FUN THING ! You go somewhere and do something entirely thinking only of the event or place you are going to.
Then paths cross -- unexpected paths. It is so COOL !
Wednesday we were in Beaverton for an appointment. A one time thing probably,
to a buiding we had never been in before. We were early so we walked upstairs and the door was locked for lunch hour so we walked back down the stairs to wait in the car.......WHEN just as we walked out of the stairway door into the foyer (THE SUSPENSE BUILDS !) the door opens and a tall young man walks in the door from the outside. WE ALL PAUSE --- But just for a second, and then we hear "Carsons?"
Standing there right in front of us was Jeff Capellan. We hadn't seen Jeff for years.
He was there with his briefcase in his suit all ready to head upstairs for an appointment on the second floor. He lives out of town - we live out of town. We had appointments on the same day, at the same time, at the same place. We were early so went back downstairs.... WHAT WAS THE CHANCE OF THE MEETING HAPPENING. It was so fun and we just laughed about it. We hugged, chatted a bit and all went our own way.
ISN'T LIFE FUN. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT IS AROUND THE CORNER !
Then paths cross -- unexpected paths. It is so COOL !
Wednesday we were in Beaverton for an appointment. A one time thing probably,
to a buiding we had never been in before. We were early so we walked upstairs and the door was locked for lunch hour so we walked back down the stairs to wait in the car.......WHEN just as we walked out of the stairway door into the foyer (THE SUSPENSE BUILDS !) the door opens and a tall young man walks in the door from the outside. WE ALL PAUSE --- But just for a second, and then we hear "Carsons?"
Standing there right in front of us was Jeff Capellan. We hadn't seen Jeff for years.
He was there with his briefcase in his suit all ready to head upstairs for an appointment on the second floor. He lives out of town - we live out of town. We had appointments on the same day, at the same time, at the same place. We were early so went back downstairs.... WHAT WAS THE CHANCE OF THE MEETING HAPPENING. It was so fun and we just laughed about it. We hugged, chatted a bit and all went our own way.
ISN'T LIFE FUN. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT IS AROUND THE CORNER !
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