Raking

The garden has been raked!
Today the sun finally peeked out of the clouds,
and I was able to work in the yard,
before the rain starts again!
I was so incredibly tired afterward,
that I could barely keep my eyes open
through the wonderful dinner V cooked for us tonight!
Salmon with lemon and onion on the grill,
heirloom tomato, pasta,basil and mozz salad,
and cold stone from Hil.

I have wonderful girls!
I have a clean garden, waiting for me to explore again.
I have a family room to paint and flooring to figure out
before friends visit the second week in May.

I have a God who loved me so much that His son died for me today.
I am blessed!

Care Ministry

I am so floored by how blessed I am
with the Care Ministry team members.

Care Ministry is a team that makes meals
for new mommies, folks returning from the hospital,
widow or widowers, or other folks in need.

We are beginning to make meals for the church staff monthly,
hopefully will be able to make snacks for the Recess program,
send cards to those we care for,
meals to include adoption or foster families,
celebrations of life in the church, etc.

We have had one new baby this month and the meals are being
delivered every other day.
We have also had a family who had their youngest in the hospital.
This family has lots of kids.
I tried to divide up duties to help this family out.
I suggested a few people make the meats,
a few make sides and a few make desserts.
I was overwhelmed by the responses of my team
to make complete meals!
Feeding 10 people is a big thing!

I am so thankful for the excitement and love in these women
for our members!

Great Job Care!!!!

Fun Things

As I was driving home the other day,
I noticed a young boy jumping on a trampoline.
He has his winter coat on.
With wild abandon and a very red face,
he was enjoying every bit of jumping in the sunshine,
this late Spring was allowing.
I smiled as I watched him from the car
at the stop light.

I remembered seeing a young girl
playing in her yard last year.
She wore only socks on her feet, no shoes,
and they were FILTHY!
She could not have been happier.

I remember playing as a child in the neighborhood.
Red Rover, Hide and Seek, and Car Tag.
We built huge snow forts in Ellen Shelley's back yard.
We played hop scotch for hours!
There was a whole crew of us in the neighborhood.
Happily, because of facebook,
I am still in touch with most of them!

We played until dusk and after.
We waited for the big cow bell to be rung by my parents.
Then everyone knew it was time to go in.

I remember sitting on the curb the day Elvis died.
Chip Townes came and brought us that news.
I didn't believe him.

As I get older, fun is different for me.
I love to watch and remember, but.....

Working in the garden this warm afternoon,
I saw the first deep wine peony stalks
peeking from beneath the leaves.
I hunted down the tiny points of the many hostas waking.
The rich black earth feels cool and damp and glorious.
The pink buds on the tree I thought did not survive the winter,
made my heart skip a beat.
The yellow, sunshiney daffodils greet me along the driveway!
This is my heaven!
P.S. I again invite anyone to come
to my garden any time and be refreshed.
I'm hoping for a small pond this year.

Another joy was this week when Joe, Hilary's fella,
invited me to go to the Randy Travis concert with him.
Hil is in Florida, and we were feeling the winter blahs.

Joe is an old soul and loves traditional country.
I listened to Randy Travis when I was first married
and he was just starting out, 25 years ago.
Lordy!

We sat in the third balcony, and I have never been to a better show.
For an old guy, Randy Travis sure does perform!
I believe he sang all of his songs!
He sang for over two hours!
All the band members have been with him 18-33 years.
I remembered most all of the words to his songs.
I could not believe it!

I saw Elton John in Houston in the early 80's,
Sha na na in high school,
Hall and Oates, and Richard Harris' Camelot
with my best friend Beth,
More than a few country concerts in Alabama
with Ann Margaret and Sissy,
when the girls were young and the heat was oh so hot.
Many Christian artists when the girls were teens
at the youth group events.
And I am happy to say,
that I know the pop group The Switch very well.
They spent many a night on my family room floor
while passing through on tours.

It's nice to know that having fun can take so many paths!
I am blessed!

Finished with Bazar Preparations!

Whew!

I have finished with all of my bazaar preparations!
From the business cards,
to the balls of yarn,
to cute little snow people!

I've found antique table coverings,
and flowers for decoration,
and even sewed a pocket onto a cute little apron!
Don't want anyone walking away with my money box.

I am a bit excited.
I must say that I NEVER thought I would do a craft show
ever again!
Folks don't seem to buy or appreciate quality handiwork.
They want cheap and cutesy.
Hoping this vintage and handmade show will be different.

If I sell nothing, everyone will be getting
a sweater, mittens, hat and socks,
with all this yarn I have spun.

Looking online, I have priced my stuff
about half of what others charge.
First, because I would never pay $7 an ounce for yarn,
and second...I don't believe folks would pay that here.
I do know that I am the only vendor selling yarns and my other stuff.
Only two others have crocheted things.
The rest are jewelry and vintagey decorations.

I will be so glad this week will be over though.

My mom broke her arm last week, and I had surgery on my toes.
Hilary is on vacation in Florida, and my house is a disaster.

I just found out that my two best girlfriends are coming
for a week long visit in May,
and I must finish my family room along with
getting the garden ready for spring

I have missed blogging and look forward
to diving into some adventures
with different wools and fibers and dyes.
Fiber festivals are about ready to begin!

So my friends,
enjoy your weekend,
come see me at the Elks Club on McKinley
if you have a chance this Sunday from 10-4.

V will be helping me out as well as selling
some gift certificates to Selah Day Spa.
Hurry and pick one up,
as I have a feeling I will be getting
a few facials and massages after this week.

I am truly blessed!

Hilary is 22!

My sunshine turns 22 years old today!
Every bone in my body feels like I have a 22 year old.

Easiest labor and delivery I can imagine.
I actually slept through it all.
One push and out came my 9lb 11oz baby girl!
Papa came into my room and said...Hi Larry~!

She has brought us much trouble,
but all the good buries the bad so deeply,
I do not even remember it was there at all.

She is beautiful without trying,
inside is just a beautiful as outside.
Even more so in my opinion!

I am blessed every day by her empathy towards others.
She overcomes things so quickly, that it gives me hope
in my own struggles.

I depend on her for coloring my world.
She is never afraid to try anything
or dive right into the mess.

She is my scary movie buddy, my gardening partner,
the conversation started and ender,
she makes me laugh uncontrollably with every tale.
I love that she loves to be around me,
and that she has so many good friends to share her life with.

She is so very talented and deserves so much more from so many.
Her time will come and continues every day!
She loves God with all her heart and I am so proud of her.

Happy Birthday Beaner!
I am so very blessed!

Sick of Salads

I was at dinner with my girly girls yesterday!
We have been meeting for Martins salad bar
weekly for at least three years.
Could be longer, but my mind doesn't seem to
track time efficiently any more.

Really, I am just sick of food.
For one person, cooking for one person,
is miserable.
Unless we have lots of babies in the church
or hospital new releases,
I don't cook AT ALL!

This brings me to the craft show in April.
I have been spinning my little heart out for weeks now.
Thousands and thousands of yards of yarn!
I still have more to do....
orange Shetland mixed with soy,
national blue mixed with, maybe some sparkle,
yellow mixed with milk......
and I have one final weaving project almost complete.

Working on business cards yesterday wore me out.
The template wasn't working with the actual cards,
the photo was too dark, and would not be lightened,
and when I finally got the final draft,
the copier sucked up the cards and went into
Paper Jam mode!
My copier, whether it knows it our not,
it getting thrown across the room if it doesn't get with it
and figure out that it is not jammed any more!
That put a kink in my productivity.

So today I paid bills and fought with the insurance company.
It snowed a bit last night.......what a shock!
So I suppose, God gave me a little reprieve,
as I have been longing to get in the garden for days!
Back to the wheel!
Enjoy your day!
I am blessed....anyway!

PUSH!

Three weeks until the all things vintage and handmade sale.
I have been spinning, carding, weaving, felting and knitting
for what now seems a life time!
I am having a great time!
The sun has been shining,
and I have been out on the deck, enjoying my craft.

It seems as if I have had not time for facebook,
blogging, visiting or resting much.
The garden is calling my name with every rustle of wind.
I am anxious to get out and play in the yard.
Three more weeks!~

Hopefully this will be a grand venture.
My fibers are almost depleted....
all but a few icelandic fleeces.
These need to be hand carded however and the time is not cooperating.
Festivals are coming up beginning in May.
I hope to be able to travel so some.
I am also planning on taking a few classes in Allegan again this year.

So off the the wheel/loom I go!
More updates and photos in three weeks!
I am blessed.

WHOP!

What drew people to Jesus was not His message.
It was HIM!

The way He loved, cared, laughed, shared and lived.


Many who were drawn to Him would leave Him after hearing His message.
This is the tough stuff.
This is the character stuff.

Jesus is our advocate....
John 8 describes how Jesus loves on the adulteress about to be stoned.
At her level.
Close to her.
Heart not head.

This has changed my life.


It's not about shouting the Word.
It's about loving the person.
God will start the heart's change
if they are first loved as He would love them
through us!

Wow.

Truly blessed.

from study...Tangible Kingdom

Tragedy

Today was a disturbing day.
I woke to a dream that there was a huge flood coming
and I had to escape somehow with my young Ronni Lynn.
Water was in our escape route.

Then I woke to the sound of the TV in my room.
(I keep it on at night since the kids moved out)
At 7:23am, they were reporting that Japan was hit
by an 8.9 earthquake and a tsunami had caused complete
destruction in its path,
and was heading toward Hawaii and California and Oregon.

Funny how your brain works.
A complete dream sequence can occur in moments.
I learned that sometime in high school.

As when 9-11 occurred, I was glued to the television
waiting for the horror.
But today, I had a coffee date with a friend.
We discussed the catastrophes a bit,
but mostly caught up.
It was nice.
I felt loved and cared for.
I found out that she and two other friends were concerned for me.
They think I am too nice.
Hmmmmmmm.

I can imagine one reason for their concern is my state of marriage.
Don't get me wrong...I LOVE my husband, and I love our situation!
He is a truck driver and loves what he does.
He just doesn't get home often.
I miss him and he, me.
We talk all the time on the phone.
Seriously, at least ten times a day.
I go out on the road with him once a year for two or three weeks.
We are looking forward to retirement in the future.
I enjoy my time alone and I enjoy the freedom this allows me.
So please, do not be concerned for my happiness!
And I love caring for those I love!

I have a good friend who I knew in school.
We sat next to each other for six years in home room.
Her name is Kristen V and I was Kristen V.
We were never good friends in school,
although we liked each other.
A few years ago, our twenty fifth high school reunion was being planned.
Yes, I am that old!
For some reason, we got in touch on facebook
and have developed a wonderful friendship!
We pray for each other, share in joys and sorrows,
comfort each other when ill, encourage each other about our kids, etc.
And....she is letting me read the most wonderful manuscript as she is writing it!

I mention my friend because today, she learned that her husband
is being deployed just after Easter, for a year to Afghanistan.
My heart goes out to her family.
I am so appreciative for Blake and his fellow soldiers.
They will be in my daily prayers, as will Kristen and her family.

Our God is so good.
He answers my prayers and I am amazed at each answer,
even the nos or waits.
I can not comprehend how Kristen will struggle through each day.
I am blessed for the circumstances I am in.
I am thankful for all of the things I take for granted every moment.
The concern my friends have for me, humbles me.
I love you Kristen!
You are lifted up.

Sirens

There have been sirens blaring for half and hour now.
Chuck has howled silently...
he doesn't seem to know how to make anything but air
come out of his throat when howling....
and is not exhausted from the effort.

I woke this morning to the sound of rain.
I love rain!
I love thunder!
I love storms!

Someone, somewhere is in trouble right now though.
Sirens warn to look up and watch out!
We are coming through and there is no stopping us.
We will run you down to get to the emergency.
So pull over and stop!

Tooth pain generally means get to the dentist.
Sinus pain generally means..for me anyway,
get on antibiotics and sniff some eucalyptus.
Loneliness means it's time to call a friend and have some coffee.

I have been reading Tangible Kingdom by Hugh Halter and Matt Smay.
I am getting excited about living life as Jesus lived it,
not like the "churchy people" have always lived.

These times they are a changin...
The thunder is warning of the storm to come.
Sirens are howling all around.
It's time to take notice and look up!

And while my sinus infection heals,
what I want to do is lie on the beach and soak up some sun.
I will instead, spin yarn on the Kromski,
dye in bright colors,
and be on the lookout for the next step!
I am blessed!