Day 2, Friends

Alicia Bruxvoort in my Proverbs 31 Ministry email today wrote about friends...

"...He goes before us, and He stands behind us. (Psalm 139:5)
He walks beside us, (Isaiah 41:10) and He dwells within us. (John 14:17)

And, according to Joshua 1:9, when we’re short on courage, it’s in His presence that we find our pluck!
“… be strong and courageous. Never be afraid or discouraged because I am your God, the Eternal One, and I will remain with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

So next time we’re overwhelmed by the challenges that stretch before us, let’s remember the Faithful Friend who stands beside us."

I had several texts yesterday and this morning from friends checking in.  Saying hi.

We decided yesterday that with our dogs acting out a bit over so much change and our old boy sleeping so hard...we are wondering if he is soon leaving us, or if this is just a new stage...

Anyway, we will stagger our November visit back to city and not hire pet sitter and still be money ahead.

DH goes next week to play golf with his one brother and deer hunt with the other.  I automatically wished I had scheduled a girls weekend like we used to do...but very soon decided I would relish my solitude.

I can still text my girlfriends...

Have a wonderful Friday!  We are feeling so much lighter...we got 2 of our 3 new income streams going...AND DH received his earned time off monetary pay out.  Whew.

I am grateful for friends.

30 Day Gratitude Challenge, Day 1

Now that we are retired, I have time to do some challenges...I am going to do the 30 day gratitude challenge on my blog, not on social media.

I read a great post by Karl Staib on Becoming Minimalist.  He is also considering mental clutter, which I want to consider now that everything about my life has changed due to retirement. Old, unhelpful,  negative thoughts...

Karl wrote:  "...I admit I have a long way to go, but each day I work on clearing clutter from my mind and my home. I’m getting better at noticing these thoughts and not letting them dictate my actions. I’m also noticing the recurring negative thoughts and combating them with the most powerful mental habit known to man.  Gratitude.  Choosing to be grateful for what I have and not feeling like I need more has provided a big improvement in my outlook and overall happiness."

DH and I did absolutely nothing yesterday.  I did some laundry and fixed a couple shelves on my side of the closet, but that's all.  I did not even get dressed properly (sweats) and no make up. 

We watched TV and movies.  It was great.  It rained all day.  When it got dark, I lit a candle and we turned out the lights. I had left overs for lunch and DH had left overs for dinner.   

Today we are going to get our haircut and get some coffee at Sam's.  I finally sold my velvet blackout drapes. 

I am grateful for this opportunity to explore doing, having, thinking less.  Helping me to get to know myself.  Have a wonderful first day of November. 

Trim before (medium brown)

                                                  

Trim after (white)

Happy Halloween!

We are letting our bodies rest up after the stress of painting (and trimming wisteria).

Not even sure I will make it to yoga tonight.

This blissful inactivity corresponds with a cold front bringing rain to our area.  I sure feel for the kids who want to trick or treat.   From my childhood north of here, I remember some pretty darn cold and rainy Halloweens.

How are you spending All Souls Eve and All Saints Day?

Happy hump day

Front Trim Paint Finished

Now we just have sides and rear.  But I am happy to report  we lived another day after doing some steep ladder and roof work.

I dread the south side.  Will post photos soon.

DH did 2 parts and I was so nervous.  At one point he shut me up, just told me to stop and he went on up the ladder, on to the roof.

I insisted after we got all the front finished, we rest and eat.  It was taxing for me and I know for him.  He has a bad back.

Fixed a yummy pasta dish with roasted eggplant I saw on Rachel Ray.  Just lounged and watched an old Jeff Bridges and Tommy Lee Jones movie called Blown Away.

Wed and Thurs rain...more pain Friday.

Happy Halloween to all of you out there!  We don't have Trick or Treeters...impossible when you have chihuahuas.

Trim Paint

Well, I finished the entire front side of our house exterior trim, except for 2 of the steep roof angles and the dormers.

DH repaired couple pieces of wood around dormers and caulked.  We will paint trim around dormers tomorrow.

We are not exactly how to reach the steep pitch of the roof angles...stay tuned. 

Beautiful Weather

The day is just beautiful outside and we are inside...watching NFL.  Big rivalry today, my cousin and I go back and forth.  She roots for opponent. Looks like from social media she had Halloween party last night.  I was falling asleep by 11.

I did take a nice walk with our pup this morning.  Its sunny in the 70s today.  Trees are just gorgeous.

I finished painting trellis my friend gave me from his late mom's lake house.  Yesterday we hung a couple bird houses.

Today I am taking my moms pumpkin roll and my sister's choc cake to her house for my nephew's bday dinner.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Don't You Just Love Befores and Afters!?

"My heart is related to my relationship with my creator...That means my heart is attached to truth, wisdom, strength, healing and so much more. It demands that the messages filtering through my heart must first pass through my faith."
Suzie Eller, Proverbs 31.  Yesterday Amy Carroll wrote about elbow room we get when we lose something.  Something changes and we have room for growth.

I am essentially a Before and an After.

Something changed for me yesterday.   I was so tired after trimming our 2nd wisteria arbor, that I could barely make it to dinner my my dear inlaws.  But I muddled through (Mexican food, yum).
I have been gradually cutting more meat out of my meals (health and budget) and so I was starving last night.  We ate dinner and I was asleep on the couch 9.30pm!

This is a huge time of change for DH and I.  We have room to make some changes, some growth.
Some changes I have gone through previously in life have left room.  When my mom and my DLH SCG died, I had room to grow, for sure.  When I got my degrees...when I figured out children were not in my future...when I adopted pets...when my Dad died...

I am learning that if I remember I am not the center of the universe,  I can listen and let my faith guide my heart.  Right now, I am mostly getting to know myself,  which might seem weird to someone reading.

But my entire life I have stayed busy and employed many distractions to avoid looking inward.  But as I was falling asleep again after I got off the couch, brushed my teeth, washed my face and put my lotion on...I realized how blessed I am to get to know my DH more during this shift of life.

He quickly offered to drive his folks to the other side of the county Monday for a Dr appt.  His folks relieved to accept the gesture, him quick to offer and myself completely in agreement.  I just love my in laws so much.  And I am blessed to have them.

What changed to give you elbow room?  What are you learning lately?