Picture It!

When I woke up earlier than expected this morning, I headed to the den to get a little last minute studying done on tomorrow's lesson.
Picture it.

• Brian is still sleeping... so it's quiet throughout the house.
• The only sounds to be heard? Ice dripping from the rooftop and light classical music playing ever so softly in the background.
• Gas logs aglow.
• Coffee in hand.
• Pot roast, carrots, and potatoes cooking in the crock-pot since last night.
  

As the day progressed, we were able to get some things done around the house and in our "new" rooms.
Picture it.

• Brian taking tote after tote of books from the upstairs bookshelves to the new downstairs 9' shelves he installed a few weeks back. He loaded and I unloaded. We still have a ways to go in organizing everything on the shelves, but it's great having them all in one convenient place.
  
• I brought the fire-engine red Kitchen-aid mixer out of hiding and made a pound cake! I was pretty delighted with the outcome (and so was Brian). :)
• Brian experienced a second Christmas when the mail wo-man arrived. She delivered TWO things he had been waiting on -- the needle he ordered for his birthday and YES CD's he purchased for a bargain on Ebay. Stick a fork in him. He was done for the day.
  

I just heard a little while ago that all services at FBC have been canceled for tomorrow.
Picture it.

• I'm smiling! Of course I will miss teaching, learning, and worshipping corporately -- but I have no qualms about sharing that I will enjoy the day the Lord has made, whether enclosed by four particular walls or not. It will be a wonderful day of rest.
  
• Me turning off the computer and returning to the den where the gas logs, pound cake, and Rupert await. So where's Brian? Upstairs -- enjoying his music. Gotta love it!

A List Maker in the Making...

So, what's one way an eight-year old "only" can keep themselves entertained?

Writing out exercise plans, of course!

This particular plan was rescued from a stack of things my mom found while cleaning out my late grandmother's home. If you've read past postings, you may remember that she kept every letter I'd ever written her (w/the date recorded on the back of the envelope) and just about every piece of paper I had ever scribbled on (and that's a lot 'o paper!).

And oh yea, my exercise plans, of course...


What I enjoyed most about this find was seeing that I was not content to exercise alone. I added both grandparents to "The Exercise Team" and wrote out a sheet, just like mine, for each of them (although I don't remember them signing up!)

I'm not sure what prompted such a plan at that age, but I'm proud to say that I am still keeping my teeth healthy almost 40 years later (hey, one out of eight isn't so bad! ha!)

The Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday Brian!

His birthday wish? A replacement needle for his vintage turntable.

Gotta love it. :)

At Last!

Two things came to pass on Saturday... at last!

• My hubby came home from a two-week trip to France/Spain. It seemed more like four. :) He had stories and chocolate to share. I enjoyed both. He also picked up beautiful vintage robin's egg blue tins and enamelware at the flea market in Clairemont, as well as flower-pressed papers for my stamping from Richard de Bas, founded in 1326. It's so nice having him home... at last.
  
• While nodding off Saturday night, one moment captured on Channel 7 awakened me quickly and kept me awake until 11:00. There, on the screen, were Dave and Kim Rhodes holding a sweet little Haitian boy, their little boy, lovingly known as Frankie. They expected the adoption process to last another year, but God had other plans. Read the full story here. Frankie is home... at last. 

Thank You, Lord.

A Picture Perfect Day

That's putting it mildly.

Days like today are a pure delight. Mid 60's - light breeze - bright sunshine. 

Rupert and I just enjoyed gliding on the old metal glider out back. I think he likes it even more than me. 

Tomorrow, a cool front will bring rain showers. But for today, I will revel in the sunshine.

This day, and every day, is the day the Lord has made. Rain or shine.

I will rejoice and be glad in it!

Whew!

I was a little concerned one of my favorite mags wouldn't make it through the recession, so you can only imagine my delight when I came across this latest issue at Walmart:


My two favorite articles? "Come to Order" and "Be Still and Know that I am God" -- but a one page article entitled "14 Steps to Successful Change" was spot-on as well. Check out the 14 suggestions. The article obviously includes more info on each:

Step 1. Pray for discernment.
Step 2. Pray and plan each day.
Step 3. Seek out worthy role models in your life.
Step 4. Be accountable.
Step 5. Plan (I like this mag!)
Step 6. Set goals.
Step 7. Educate yourself.
Step 8. Set Short-term goals.
Step 9. Remove obstacles and temptations.
Step 10. Review progress.
Step 11. Forgive your failures.
Step 12. Cheer yourself on.
Step 13. Be persistent.
Step 13: Praise God.

In light of the tragedy happening in Haiti this week, a posting like this almost seems superfluous. Perhaps it is... but then again, the tragedy serves as a vivid reminder to embrace all life has to offer. It can change so quickly. Finding delight in the little things helps me to stay focused on the larger-than-life blessings that surround me every day.

Especially when I turn on the news.

I Put the "Dis" in Order

Dis-or-der
n

1. A lack of order or regular arrangement

That pretty much sums up our house right now -- but I'm convinced order will soon follow (which is my goal!)

In fact, it's the only thing that keeps me motivated.

I imagine one day soon sitting in my "new" room -- clean, bright, and white -- surrounded by organizational books that no longer beg for my attention. :)

It Was A Cool Day

OK... temp wise, it was downright freezing, but in other ways, it turned out to be a very cool day. 

This morning, our Sunday C4 group tidied up a yard for a single woman in our class. Her insurance company is threatening to remove coverage if specific things were not taken care of by the end of January. (Earlier in the week, a man from our church installed handrails at no charge for her. She had been quoted $700.00 a few weeks prior and was scrambling trying to figure out how she was going to afford it. He is awesome!) 

One of the coolest parts of today's clean-up? Seeing all the families arrive with smiles on their faces and tools in hand, even on what had to be the coldest day of 2010 so far. 

Our group is approaching its one year anniversary. So far, we've spent time doing what many newbie groups do -- getting to know one another, welcoming new people, and trying to stay connected to those who come and go. 

Today served as a vivid reminder as to what truly helps people get to know one another and stay connected. Serving together. 

I have a feeling 2010 is going to be a pretty cool year. :) 

It's Our Anniversary Today...

Our 20th first-date anniversary! And the best part? Brian is the one who remembered. He always is. 

So tonight we will be heading to Applebees, the same restaurant we went to that night back in 1990. Different city, same restaurant. We've celebrated most years, but this one is obviously pretty special. Twenty years! 

Little did I know on January 6, 1990, that I was gazing into the eyes of the man whom God would use to transform my life... as well as Brandon's and Zach's.

Twenty years later, I wouldn't change a thing, except maybe my food order. Goodbye fried chicken tenders, hello grilled. 

Look out Applebees, here we come. :)

Long Weekend Snapshots

• New Year's Eve: We finished up ham from Christmas (finally!) with homemade mac and cheese. Now if that, along with the Twilight Zone marathon, is not a way to welcome in a new year, I'm not sure what is! :)
  
• New Year's Day: We spent the majority of the day working on the "new" rooms. I'll post pics soon! Without books, the cases look a bit bare, but I have to admit the ladder looks mighty fine with or without them. :) Go Ikea!
  
• Saturday: Early on, I realized I'd forgotten to create/print our class newsletter for January. With the majority of our group having birthdays this month, it was a "to-do" I couldn't ignore or delay, so I sped home from Starbucks (yes, I still have some $ left on my gift cards! ha...) and got to work immediately. It was not what I'd planned for that morning, but I am grateful UPS was able to print them for me in such a timely manner.
  
• Today! We studied Mark 6 -- the feeding of 5,000. I especially appreciated verse 38 where Jesus asked the disciples, "How much food do we have?" -- followed by the instruction to "Go and find out". I think many times we sit around waiting for God to move on our behalf in a certain way -- when in fact, He is waiting on us to "Go and find out" first. I plan to lose some weight this year, but if I don't change my current habits (after my Starbucks gift card runs out, of course! ha!), the results will likely remain the same. I need to evaluate the necessary changes... and then follow through (discipline!). Those changes will bring forth a healthier body -- which will help me in pursuing some things I feel the Lord has laid on my heart for 2010. In Mark 6, we saw that when the disciples did their part, God followed by doing something only He could do. His part. How exciting!