Is it winter or spring?

It's snowing today. Those white, fluffy little particles are filling the heavens and wafting to the earth ever so gently. (I wonder if it looked like this when God sent manna to feed His children as they roamed through the desert many milenia ago.) Now the sun has just popped out, shining brightly, as though to focus light on the picture.

This lovely little reminder that winter is not quite over yet, was the first thing I saw this morning, when I first opened my eyes to the beginning of a new day. Since the ground already had a light dusting of snow, and it was still snowing heavily, I've held onto great hopes that we would soon have another winter wonderland to feast our eyes upon. However, with temperatures several degrees above freezing, and the warmth of bright sunshine, the ground refuses to hold on to the whiteness.

Oh well! The snowy scene is quickly disappearing, but it a was nice treat while it lasted. (Hope it hasn't hurt my spring bulbs whose green leaves had already sprung up.)

Scamper

Naming the Squirrel

Okay, I've decided what to call my squirrel.

Thanks to all of you who submitted name ideas -- such good ideas! However (sorry to say), none of them seemed just right for my furry friend.

"Chip" (or any variation therefore) seemed more befitting for a chipmunk (a cousin of my squirrel).

"Chat" (or any variation therefore) didn't work because I've never heard my squirrel chatter. (Guess he's always got his mouth full when he's sitting in my tree.)

"Barabbas" or "Achan" didn't seem just (or right) for my perfectly fine-mannered little friend, because he is no longer a thief. Now my little pet eats only what it finds in the squirrel feeder--freely offered by my own hand. Therefore, it seems unmerciful to attach a reminder of a shameful past by way of a nametag. Since he (she?) has repented of his/her sinful ways, I say, "Let sleeping dogs lie" -- or should I say, "Let scampering squirrels...squat (and sin no more)!"

For a moment I considered "Slick", for this fast little furball is pretty slick at running up and down the tree, and slipping in and out of the squirrel feeder; however, it's hair is seldom slicked back -- it's usually a bit tousled by the wind.

Actually, my squirrel (who used to be such a little scamp) was once appropriately named "Lucky Thief" (by Carol-Ann). But, now, this cute little critter has turned away from the practice of thievery and is nicely reformed. Since, it now seems quite well-behaved, and is so very fun to watch scamper about...from henceforth and forevermore, my favorite, furry litttle friend shall be known as "Scamper". Afterall, that's what it does best!

Definition of "scamper": to run nimbly and playfully about.
Yup, that perfectly describes this little rascal! "SCAMPER" it is!

Hey...maybe the "S" stands for "Slick", and camping out in my squirrel feeder is what he/she likes to do in his/her spare time!
(Slick camper -- S-camper)

Furry Friend

My squirrel friend hadn't shown up for awhile, so I figured something must have happened to him. Yesterday I put fresh food in his feeder, and today he was back. I guess he just got tired of eating the old leftovers! This squirrel feeder was a Christmas gift from my son (made by his own hands) a couple of Christmases ago.)
This is where he used to eat before I put up the squirrel feeder. My fine-feathered friends were very glad to see him leave their feeder alone once he got his own feeder. However, they also use his feeder!
Hey, Dianne, this post is for you, since you just posted pictures of your little squirrel friend also. Wanna name my little furry friend?

A Whole New Way of Life

Sometimes God doesn't give us what we ask for. This time I am soooo glad! Seven and a half months ago we asked God for the desire of our hearts--to move back to California, and for awhile it looked like that was going to happen--but it didn't, and now we're glad it didn't. That's because God gave us something far different than we would have thought of on our own. He gave us a whole new way of life (right here in Oregon), and we are really enjoying it!

Here's a little "snapshot" of daily life for us:

(10:30 P.M.) Larry says, "Are you about ready to go to bed?"
Jeannie says, "Yup", and heads for the kitchen to pre-make a pot of coffee (using programable coffee maker).

(6:15 A.M.) Larry gets up quietly to start his day. Jeannie doesn't hear a thing, and doesn't wake up, because he now uses the bathroom in the hall (instead of the one in the master bedroom), to get ready for the day (having put his clothes there the night before).

(6:50 A.M.) Jeannie is roused by soft music, but doesn't budge from her comfy, cozy bed. She wakes up gradually while enjoying the pleasant sounds coming from a CD in her alarm clock. Within a few minutes Larry enters the room with a smile and a cup of coffee. After a quick "good morning" greeting, he says "goodbye" and heads off to work--downstairs.

(7:00 A.M.) Jeannie props herself against extra pillows and sips the delicious, hot "wake-up" brew, while taking in the wonderful view out the bedroom windows, and thinking thoughts such as these:
"What a beautiful day! I thought it was supposed to rain today, but it sure doesn't look like it right now. There's some foggy mist hanging in the air here and there in interesting swirls, but the sky doesn't look like rain. Lord, what a beautiful world you created for us to live in! What a good God You are to your children! Thanks, Lord! Thanks for all You have provided for us! Thanks for all You have done for us! Thanks for your awesome goodness to us! Then there are prayers for friends, family, and this new day set before me.

(7:30 A.M.) Jeannie gets up with a happy heart and starts her day, (instead of dragging herself out of bed around 9:00, as been the usual habit lately).
1. Got dressed and checked my email.
2. Had "quiet time" with God, while enjoying coffee and toast.
3. Cleaned up the kitchen and started the dishwasher.
4. Made the bed and did the daily personal grooming.
5. Did a quick run through the house to put things in order.
6. Set up the ironing board, and while iron was preheating, played a computer game (or two).

(10:00 A.M.) Larry comes upstairs for a hug and a kiss, and says, "Hmmmm, this is good--I really like this benefit to working at home!" Then he invites me to go out to lunch with him today. (I also like the benefits of him working at home.)

By 10:30, much has already been accomplished, and Jeannie is back at the computer, with a happy heart and a good sense of satisfaction!

I am so glad that God delights in giving good gifts to his children, and that He always knows what's best for us. Who knows what will happen three months from now when the trial period ends with Larry's new job (only God knows). But, for now, we are delighted with this new way of life.

Oh! Larry just came upstairs to see if I'm about ready to go to lunch . . . gotta scoot!

Recipe for Happiness

This recipe may not be found under the category of "quick & easy", but it certainly is delicious and nourishing!

A Heaping Helping of Happiness

1. Hubby returns home (at 1:30 A.M.) after being gone for a week.

2. Serve leftover pizza for breakfast (hubby likes it), along with lattes (or cappuccino) made by son from his expresso machine.

3. Arrange for a day of bright sunshine and pleasant temperatures by midday.

4. Send hubby and son out to go kayaking on a nearby river.

5. While they're gone, prepare a surprise, yummy, hot dinner meal, ready to serve immediately when they return in midday.

6. Smile sweetly when they walk in famished and ask "What smells so good?"

7. Notice their obvious enjoyment and appreciation as they eat the delicious hot meal.

8. Savor the wonderful feeling that all is well!

As I cleaned up the kitchen afterwards, I couldn't help but notice how happy my heart felt!

Happy Valentines Day

I'm pretty sure I have the sweetest, kindest, most loving husband in the whole world! This beautiful bouquet of roses (complete with vase) and a box of chocolates just came special delivery! (Larry is currently away on business, in Florida.)

So, Larry, this post is for you...Thanks for your thoughtfulness, and your love, and the lovely gift! I love you, Honey!

All About Nothing

Hi.
I haven't written anything here for a whole week. (So, what?) That seems to have become a pattern for me, in case you haven't noticed. I rarely think about posting anything, except for the times I feel guilty for not putting up something new for awhile. But, then I notice that there are other bloggers who don't post very often either, and I feel more okay about me.

There's really nothing on my mind to write about here, but I just decided to say "hi". Larry is gone for the week--back east. He left before dawn on Sunday morning and flew to Jacksonville, Florida. He'll spend a few days there and then travel to Columbia, South Carolina--all in a day's work (or should I say, all in a week's work), because of his new job.

It's very quiet when I'm the only one here--except for when I have my music blasting. Last night my son came in and said (teasingly), "Hey--you better turn that down before the neighbors compain!" I figure there's gotta be something to keep me company while hubby's gone! Otherwise, I talk to myself (out loud). Sometimes I even laugh at what I say, and then I sing it (trying out different tunes), and then I laugh even more!

It was a beautiful day here today--sunshine and mild temperatures. I didn't go anywhere. Dumb! Tomorrow it will probably rain, and I will probably go somewhere anyway. Strange! Well, at least I got the ironing done today. (Yes, Kinza, I do iron--every week!)

Well, I guess I'm about all talked out for now--guess I'll curl up with a good book to read until I fall asleep, or my son comes home--whichever happens first.
G'nite!

Finally . . .

We arrived home from our vacation in Hawaii yesterday, and today we finally have our long-awaited answer regarding Larry's job situation.

He has been given the approval we have been hoping for . . . the "go-ahead" to begin another three months of employment! He will now be working for the "parent company" of the company he previously worked for...on a three-month trial basis, trying to recoup monetary losses from fraudulent mortgage loans. The really nice thing about this new job is that he will be working from home, setting up his office downstairs, in our walkout lower level.

So, for now, we're staying put! Our house will not be going up for sale--at least until the three-month trial period is over. My challenge will be learning to adapt to this new life style, having my husband at home all the time. I've had a couple of months to think about this, and I really do like the idea!

Pre-retirement years! While many of our friends have already faced retirement, we're still looking forward to it. While some of my girlfriends are already in the adjustment stages of retirement, I get to have a little slower process of seeing what it will be like to have hubby at home during the day. This week is when we begin taking only "baby-steps" into that world. Hopefully, for us, retirement is still several years away.

For now, we have our answer: God has provided a new job for Larry. Now we'll begin another waiting period -- three more months of employment before we have to say, "What's next?"

Here Today . . . Gone To-Maui

Ah . . . a week in paradise!

Vacation

We're there--can you guess where?









Actually, we'll arrive here on Sunday (Jan.28th), about noon their time, which is two hours earlier in the day than our time zone.

Well, have you guessed yet? Maybe I'll just keep you guessing.

The Wait Continues . . .

A week and half ago I wrote: "The beginning of a new week . . . will there finally be at least one definite answer for us?" The only answer available is, "No, there was no definite answer for us."

Perhaps I should start at the beginning: the end of June, last year (2006), since we've been waiting for our answer since then.

Just before I left for a family wedding/reunion in Penticton, British Columbia, Larry received a call from a "head-hunter" (job recruiter), asking if he would be interested in a job (in his line of work) in Southern California--our "old stompin' grounds", where we lived for 15 years and have longed to return to. He told me how difficult the job might be for him, and wasn't sure he would want to do it, so I thought no more about it. Then I left for six days to spend time with my family in Canada.

What a nice surprise to return home to the news that he told the head hunter that he was interested, and had sent in his resume. Normally he doesn't have much interest in leaving the job he has. However, this could turn out to be our ticket back to where we eventually hope to be, so he said, "Sure!" That job kept us waiting for a few weeks, but produced no results--not even a telephone interview.

While we were waiting on that one, the head hunter called again and told Larry about a job in Houston, Texas. No way, Jose! Some of our friends advised us, "You don't want to live there--it's terribly muggy and buggy!" We were not interested in moving to Texas--or so we thought, until we began to do some studying of the area, and the economics there. We decided, "Well, how bad can it be? Perhaps, as a result of living there for five years or so, we would be in really good financial shape for moving to Southern California." Larry landed a telephone interview, and another wait began. After weeks of waiting, we gave up hope on that one too.

Then the head hunter called again with news of another job in Southern California (Irvine area) -- a job that sounded just perfect for Larry, and only three miles from his family that lives there. Wow! Almost too good to be true! Once again, the wait was very long--but the many weeks of waiting also held the excitement of three interviews (two over the telephone and one on location). We were absolutely sure this was going to happen--sometime in November!

Meanwhile, during our time of waiting, it was announced that Larry's company was being shut down by the end of the year. We thought, "Isn't this amazing? God has a new job already lined up for Larry, before we even knew he would be needing it--and in Southern California, no less--land of our dreams!" But then, the wait continued, and got longer and longer with no further word--ever.

During the last couple of months of 2006 Larry was constantly searching the web for job opportunties, making contact with people in his network of business acquaintances, getting calls from other head hunters, and sending out countless resumes--all over the country (including a few more in Southern California), plus the island of St. Thomas in the Caribbean! He had a few more interviews (some even here in this area), but more of a casual nature, which produced no results, no follow-up, and no answers.

The wait continues to this day. Most of the employees at his company were let go by the end of December. Larry was one of the lucky few (half a dozen) who were kept on the payroll until January 12th. Then his employment was extended until January 26th. As of yesterday, his employment has been extended until February 9th, although there is really nothing left for him to do, and no office to go to after tomorrow.

Several weeks ago, Larry submitted a written proposal for a new position to be created by the parent company of the company that is closing. The parent company (which remains in business) is headquartered on the East Coast, but we would not be required to move. Larry would set up an office here, working from home. We are hoping this will happen, but we are still waiting on the final approval.

We are also hoping to go on vacation for a week, hoping to leave this weekend, but we haven't made any plans because we're still waiting and hoping to hear an answer to this new job. Life for us has been somewhat on hold for nearly seven months now. And, the wait continues . . .

Snow Day No. 2

We have been safely tucked away at home for two days in a row, due to all the snow, and bad roads, and cars and trucks spun out everywhere. But, we're not about to let cabin fever set in. Perhaps the perfect antedote for this malady is to get out and play in the snow!

Have you noticed how nice everyone gets when the weather knocks us for a loop? Neighbors come out and talk to each other, kids play and adults watch (some adults play too), and everyone laughs and has fun--even with strangers!

Our son went to work very early in the morning yesterday, only to find himself somewhat stranded in Portland for an overnight, at his workplace (a college) that waited until mid-morning to announce their closure. He finally got home this afternoon, about an hour ago, and couldn't resist playing in the snow.

Larry and I had just gone outside to go for a walk when we saw his vehicle come around the corner. So we stopped to talk, and, next thing we knew, we were helping him build a snowman. What fun! Snow just brings out the kid in us!

Then our neighbors came out and decided to join us for a walk around the neighborhood. There were several snowmen to greet us as we joined their cold, cold world, with warm, warm hearts, contentedly chatting away, as we breathed in the delicious fresh, crisp air, in a white winter wonderland.

Winter Wonderland

It began snowing at 5:00 this morning. (Since it almost never snows here, this is big excitement for us.) I woke up at 6:45, got up and looked out the window, came back to bed and said quietly to Larry, "Merry Christmas, Honey." There was about an inch or two of the beautiful white fluff covering the ground and the pine trees in our back yard. What a gorgeous winter wonderland to wake up to!

After watching the news for a little bit, Larry decided there was no good reason to head out into the snarls of traffic going sideways, to try to get to the office that is practically a ghost town now anyway.

By mid-morning, all the hills of our neighborhood were covered with kids on sleds, so we decided it was time for us to get out in it for our own enjoyment. It was cold (below freezing), but no one seemed to notice. There was just too much fun to be had!

What started out as an adult version of snow fun (walking in the winter wonderland), and just watching the kids enjoy playing in the snow, quickly became a digression into my second childhood. I just can't resist a good romp in the snow! Snow angels, anyone?

Those big fluffy flakes continued to fall for several more hours, finally stopping just a short time ago. Now we have at least four inches on the ground, and the weather man predicts that it will stay for awhile--at least a couple of days or more.

"Since we've no place to go,
let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"