Our Last Monday

Before the Israelites arrived in the Promised Land, they spent decades wandering the desert. That’s where God cared for His people so much He provided manna in the morning and quail at night. (Exodus 16:12) But God only provided food six days of the week. Moses said, “Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, which is a Sabbath, there will be none” (Exodus 16:26, ESV). And, “This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD … ’” (Exodus 16:23a).

Yesterday was a day of blissful rest.  We went to a friends to watch football.   We took a pizza.  My friend sent us home with enough pulled pork for 3 sandwiches!

Even last night I slept great.   But I sure am grouchy today.  Still fighting this site throat going on 3 weeks now.

But my thoughts this morning are on two things.  How God has always provided for me and how quickly time marches on, making me want to relish in gratitude this morning.  Even as we are counting down the days, we are still aware just how much grace in our lives we have received. 

So, even when I am grouchy.  I have to laugh because I know I need to reign in my inner 5 year old, when things don't go my way.  After all, I did not get bronchitis or even a sinus infection. 

When I read this post I paste above, I had to knock on wood mentally, because while I assume we will have good health the next 3 months (with more rest, relaxation, less stress, less eating out) I certainly could be wrong.  So it is with God's will, we have good health.  And my wish is for any of you who read this to also have good health.

We drove by our old neighborhood yesterday, our favorite neighbors had some mail for us that had not been forwarded.  We got to catch up with them real quick.  We just love these people to bits.  Then we lounged at home and talked about our plans this week.  We decided after dinner wed night we will do the bulk of our room pack up.  Which leaves me time to sleep in Friday, since Thursday is my last day at work. 

What are your plans for this week?

Fri-Yay

Super busy at work.  Yesterday I finished my annual continuing ed, so that is a huge relief.  If one plans ahead they can get much/all of their cont ed free - I got half of mine free.  So all finished until next year.  Then I came home and loaded last of the big content (bunch of kitchen stuff/clothes/misc still) in suburban.  It is simply amazing what that thing will hold.  We are really pleased that we have been able to pull of this move all by ourselves for only the money we have put into that used suburban (too much).  Then I fixed dinner and sat for few minutes and then I walked as the temp had dropped to a lovely 91 degrees!  My stop and smell the roses moment was sitting and visiting in the driveway with our dear neighbors Wed night, after hanging out with my Granny.  Then Thurs it was going to bed early.  I was so tired that I fell asleep as my husband was trying to talk to me...ooops.  We have this last large load to unload in the heat tonight (and find places to put!).  But at least I can unpack/organize mostly inside in the AC.  We also get to ride together this trip - my DH is glad because he usu makes me drive!  I am right on budget for everything.  I am actually little under b/c DH paid for my probiotic supplement and his rx and gave me some extra money since he is not paying any house payments now!  I immed pigeon holed it for savings!  Have a wonderful Friday!

Sunday Surplus

Relaxing at home after having early coffee and buying couple gift cards/delivering couple gifts/church.

Then came home and finished up some leftovers for lunch.  Sure was glad I braved WM after the museum Saturday, even though it was crazy busy yesterday.  I will avoid WM and Target until well after the holidays now.  I will go to Aldis or reg grocery now...maybe Sams, but I try to avoid WM and Target right before/after Christmas/New Years.  I just stress over crowds and rude people, but add in the crazed commercialism and my anxiety just increases!

After the museum, and after WM shopping last night we had soup I had in crock pot and bread I made in our bread machine.  It was good!  I used some frozen gr beef and half the frozen turkey stock from TG and added taco seasoning, ranch seasoning, can tomatoes, can kidney beans, frozen corn, can rotel.  The bread made the house smell great!  I bought my bread machine in 1990 and used it regularly since!  Mostly limited to winter only.  I cant believe it has lasted so long. 

So our neighbors let us know, their daughter passed 2am sat morning.  She was only 49.  A year younger than me.  A year older than my mom was when she passed away.  My DH went over and started their truck and let it run for about 15 min.  He said it was reluctant to start.  Before we went to museum we bought a trickle charger to keep it on and keep battery charged.  They are good people, we wish we could do more, but obviously we cannot.  They are going to have their daughter's services in her state she died in, where her daughter still lives.  My neighbor texted to say they will stay for a while longer.  The past year and 4 months, they have driven 8 hours one way about once a month, sometimes a couple times.  This last trip they have been there since well before TG.  they are in early 70's.  I cannot imagine how exhausted they must be.  I have been through the process too...more than once...the vigil to see a lived one's life ebb and flow...more on that someday.

Never again will I complain about the holidays...God please confort T and R and J's children as only you can...Amen.

8 more work Mondays in 2017

10/16/17
8 more Mondays in 2017

Praying for our neighbors and my friend.  My neighbors' daughter (J) is my age and has stage four colon cancer.  She moved to another state to marry and raise her 2 children (both young adults).  It is about a 6 or 8 hour drive from here to her city.  My neighbors are my parents' (if they were both still alive) age.  For the last year, I have seen my neighbors run themselves ragged coming and going on this trip trying to help their daughter.  I really empathise with them.

My friend (R) is someone I have known since I was 4 years old.  She is suffering from mental illness and has left the home twice to go for stays in psychiatric hospital.  She is suffering and so is her family.  I have told her that I love her unconditionally and that I am here.  I have attempted to support her husband, at least in spirit.  I don't know what else to do.  Her 2 children are also young adults.  One just graduated, the other is a junior in high school. 

I feel helpless faced with such situations.  I just try to let the people know I care.  There is nothing else really I can do.  I did deliver a jar of home canned apple butter to my neighbors yesterday.  I got a text this morning saying they were enjoying it with toast and it was a nice start to their day.  I have been processing 2/3 of those apples I picked 2 weeks ago since Thursday night.  Wooooo weeeee, my back is sore!  I canned 18 quarts of applesauce and made 3 pies yesterday.  I delivered a quart of the apple butter and a pie to my work friend (B) whose farm we pick apples from.  He said next year we are welcomed to come back and pick more.  As far as I am concerned, it will be worth the 5 hour drive annually to do this.  We can visit with him and get apples, stay in touch.  More about him later, he is an interesting person!

I sold a jacket over the weekend and got ride of a couple bags of clothes/shoes.  But I also bought a new pair of walking shoes for myself and my husband, so I actually brought more in!  Plus, i must confess the store i found my walking shoes at had buy one get one half off, so i also bought a winter pair of casual walking-around sneakers.  They were not impulse buy, so that helps me keep in check.  At any rate, that is the wrong thing - bringing more in, but I got rid of my old pair and 2 pair of boots. My husband broke his in with a walk with me Sunday- worth the price!  One donated, one to sell.  I also washed sheets and towels and got a pie (froze) ready for this upcoming girls weekend.  Too busy for projects with all the apples!  But I have given out 13 jars already and have fun all winter giving and enjoying the apple butter! 

I went to see my Dear Grandmother (DG) Sat and took her and my aunt (PA) a jar.  My DG exclaimed "it is still warm!" and I barely had walked in the door when she was trying to open it and give it a sample.  I ran an errand at the store for her and so that made me feel good to help her feel good.  I won't get to see her for 2 weeks.  I have celebrated a couple of meaningful meetings with a couple of special women friends in my life and my gratitude cup is full.  I am happy for the present moment.  And then I come up with a title like today's post. Progress, not perfection.  Have a great week!