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Friday, March 23, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
She said YES!!!
Tonight was the big night (a very BIG surprise for Patti, although the surprise has been in the planning stages for quite awhile now.
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Sorry this picture quality isn't the best. (Another one will be posted as soon as I receive another one.) This picture was taken on the beach in San Diego, and sent via Jim's camera phone to my camera phone.
Thus begins Jim's new life! Patti is moving up here next week (Thursday, I think), and already has a job to start the following Monday (April 2nd). We're very excited and, of course, so are they! Welcome, Patti!
Let the wedding plans begin . . . .
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Sorry this picture quality isn't the best. (Another one will be posted as soon as I receive another one.) This picture was taken on the beach in San Diego, and sent via Jim's camera phone to my camera phone.
Thus begins Jim's new life! Patti is moving up here next week (Thursday, I think), and already has a job to start the following Monday (April 2nd). We're very excited and, of course, so are they! Welcome, Patti!Let the wedding plans begin . . . .
Friday, March 16, 2007
Just pondering . . .
Ever feel like this?
I've run out of adventure (adventurous thinking).
I've run out of fun (fun ideas).
What happened to joyful Jeannie?
(She got tired and grew old -- or, did she get old and then grow tired?)
Lord, I need newness (new freshness).
I need new strength.
I need a lift from my feeling of being old and tired.
(57 isn't old enough to feel old, is it?)
Lord, I need Your strength; I need Your help. I need You.
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV)
"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits--Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." (Psalm 103:2-5 NIV)
Okay, I will continue to hope in the Lord and He will renew my strength, so that I can run and not be weary. I will praise the Lord and think on all His benefits--the One who satisfies my desires with good things (so that my youth will be renewed).
Now what? What fun and adventurous things will I think of to enjoy today?
Hmmmm . . . guess I'll start with a dish of ice cream -- yes, at 11:00 in the morning)! It sounds fun and satisfying, so why not? It's a start -- definitely a new idea!
I've run out of adventure (adventurous thinking).
I've run out of fun (fun ideas).
What happened to joyful Jeannie?
(She got tired and grew old -- or, did she get old and then grow tired?)
Lord, I need newness (new freshness).
I need new strength.
I need a lift from my feeling of being old and tired.
(57 isn't old enough to feel old, is it?)
Lord, I need Your strength; I need Your help. I need You.
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV)
"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits--Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." (Psalm 103:2-5 NIV)
Okay, I will continue to hope in the Lord and He will renew my strength, so that I can run and not be weary. I will praise the Lord and think on all His benefits--the One who satisfies my desires with good things (so that my youth will be renewed).
Now what? What fun and adventurous things will I think of to enjoy today?
Hmmmm . . . guess I'll start with a dish of ice cream -- yes, at 11:00 in the morning)! It sounds fun and satisfying, so why not? It's a start -- definitely a new idea!
Monday, March 5, 2007
Must be Spring!
What an incredibly beautiful day today! It sure does look and feel like spring now, with the crocus in bloom all over the neighborhood (including in our yard), along with some other spring flowers. With bright sunshine and temperatures above 60-F (16-C), Larry and I couldn't resist going out for a walk at lunch time--without jackets! Then we enjoyed eating lunch out on the deck, basking in the warm sunshine. Just delightful!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
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.)
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.)
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
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)
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)
Thursday, February 22, 2007
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?
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?
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
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!
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!
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Recipe for Happiness
This recipe may not be found under the category of "quick & easy", but it certainly is delicious and nourishing!
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!
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!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
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!
Monday, February 12, 2007
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!
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!
Monday, February 5, 2007
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?"
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?"
