Reflections, Thoughts and Ideas

I almost gave up.  I almost quit.  I have spent a lot of time thinking about how and why things turn out the way they do.  I have been reflecting on what brings me happiness and joy, and what doesn’t.  I have realized how much I have missed writing and how much time I have spent not doing things that bring me happiness and joy.  So, I have wiped my face and am picking up where I left off.  Thank you for sticking with me…bigger and better things are on the horizon. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.~Philippians 4:13Read More →

This is a wonderful time of year, yet potentially a terrible time of year.  It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness, trying to be and do everything that we lose sight of what is really important.  Stuff happens…really, really bad stuff.  I know this first hand.  After the shock has had a little time to wear off I can see that yes, my holiday is not going to be what I had planned, but it’s going to be okay.  I got to wake up this morning, others did not.  We have a roof over our head, and a pantry full of food,Read More →

How in the world did we get to only 53 days of 2017 left to go?!?  Remember that big long list of goals and dreams we all made at the end of 2016?  I don’t even know where mine is, let alone have much accomplished.  It’s a sad fact that I am still not organized or de-cluttered, not debt-free and not more than several pounds lighter.  I am not going to let that get me down and discouraged. First things first, take a deep breath.  Next, get out the calendar, a notepad and pen.  Now make a realistic to-do list, a realistic list of goals andRead More →

My little helper after our last wind and rain storm.  Roger and I were able to get most of the fallen branches in the burn pile and fill up a bag full of pinecones.  He thinks he’s a big dog! Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. ~2 Corinthians 8:11 (NIV)  Read More →

A few hours ago, there was a shooting at a high school not far from us.  The horror and panic is all consuming.  My mind cannot wrap itself around what the students and families must be going through.  No matter what your beliefs on gun control, police, bullying, mental health or whatever else, we as a nation are all in this together.  While we have no idea yet what has prompted this tragedy, we need to not point fingers but to come together regardless of religion, race, politics or whatever else; set that all aside today.  Hug your children and talk with each other.  Tell them you loveRead More →

I first met my husband’s grandparents, Gus and Rachel, in the late 90’s.  Everyone loved Gus, he was funny and kind.  Rachel had the sweetest smile and made the best strawberry jam you ever tasted.  Their gardens were amazing.  When Brad and I moved to Idaho Rachel gave me a paper sack with some hollyhock seeds from their flower garden.  Not realizing what a treasure I had, those seeds got put on a high shelf in the laundry room for a very long time.  Between unpacking, setting up our new home and getting our son ready for preschool, I completely forgot about them. It wasRead More →

The weather is finally warming up here, the rain has slowed down and dandelions are sprouting up everywhere!  They are trying to completely take over my lawn, and frankly I don’t care for them.  They can grow out in the fields all they want, but they refuse to stay there.  It seems like each little flower turns into millions of seeds that kids of all ages love to make a wish and blow, resulting in millions more dandelions. I do realize that there are so many positive benefits of dandelions and that they far outweigh the negatives.  Foremost in my mind is that the bees really seemRead More →

Here we are, half way through the fourth month of the new year.  I realized this morning I haven’t accomplished or even thought much about the goals I set for the year way back at the end of last December.  Not a very good track record, but for me it’s nothing new.  My husband once told me that I have really good ideas but I quit before I get anything completed, harsh to hear but so very true.  I’m sure you’ve heard the saying about the person who keeps doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results…yep that’s me.  After reading and followingRead More →

“You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” –A.A. Milne Spring brings renewal and renewal often brings change.  Yes, change can sometimes be unpleasant and scary, but I am learning to shift my focus to the positive.  I often find myself fighting change kicking and screaming only to realize how much happier I am afterwards.  My son doesn’t do well with change either so I encourage him to look at is as an adventure, a lesson I am trying to learn as well. This year our families have children that are spreading their wings and learning to fly on their own, and new childrenRead More →