Simple Christmas

 I think there is nothing better than a Christmas Day that falls on Sunday.

I can't remember that many -

maybe I have just forgotten,

maybe many churches I have been in have canceled services on Christmas Day.

But what better way to celebrate our Lord's birth than in His house on His day.

Not with a pageant (their over),

not with a program (probably a limited group),

but simply a Christmas service focused on Him.

The focus of my blog is simplicity - 

truly the example of Jesus!

He came simply.

A simple family,

a simple location,

a simple "welcoming committee."

And today we celebrate Him!

Merry Christmas!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

 Here we are ...

the month has flown by.

I did visit my surgeon on Tuesday.

The x-rays look good.

So I am done with doctor's visits.

Still rehabbing to increase mobility,

but done with the bills and doctor's visits.

Our Christmas has not gone quite as planned -

changes due to a "Bomb Cyclone."

We awoke Thursday, the start of our vacation,

ready to head to the "Ark Encounter."

The storm was coming, but we would finish our travel

and be ready for our visit on Friday.

Before we left, we checked the website,

the Ark was closed Friday due to impending storms.

Oh, well, we could still go visit family on Christmas Eve.

Or maybe not, the sun did not come out enough to clear the roads.

Kentucky, like NC, does not really have plows and other road machinery for storms.

The police and the governor encouraged people to stay home.

So it is Christmas Eve, and we are alone in our little house.

We are enjoying the Christmas lights;

we are enjoying Christmas music in the background;

a cranberry apple crisp is in the oven, perfuming the house with "Christmas";

we have enjoyed pot upon pot of hot coffee;

we have enjoyed skype calls, texts, emails, and regular calls with friends and loved ones.

We have been thankful for a warm house,

we have been thankful for protection in the storm

Our plans may have changed,

but, Praise God, He never changes.

'Tis the night before Christmas ...

and we rejoice in our Savior's birth.

Immanuel ... God with us.

How we have relished that fact in 2022.

Through moves,

though home purchases,

through injuries,

through inflation,

through job changes.

Our Savior is with us.

Our God offers us His presence - 

as a baby many years ago

and in our hearts today.

I Found My Happy Thought

 When Peter Pan found his happy thought ...

he could FLY!

Well, I must have found my happy thought,

because I drove myself to town for the first time in 11 weeks!

It was kind of exhilarating to be in the stores bustling before Christmas.

I enjoyed just wandering without feeling that I was holding anyone up.

Between living right in the city and then being a "cripple,"

I think I have had about 6 months off from driving this year!

And that means that I can drive myself to my final (I hope) checkup with the surgeon on Tuesday!

If You Want to Break a Wrist - A Satirical View

 Be prepared, be prepared, be prepared.

If you want to break a wrist - plan ahead.

First of all, teach your husband how to perform a basic ponytail.

If there is no time for this, at least teach him how to use a hair straightener.

Second, stay current on all of your home projects - don't leave anything for tomorrow.

Always keep a stash of small trash bags and duct tape around for cast shower covers.

Stock the cupboard with food in boxes (cans are difficult to open).

Be sure to have at least a few "stretchy" shirts with short sleeves and elastic-waisted clothing items.

Make friends with the flip-flop.

Plan your accident between summer and winter 

(you don't want to sweat up the cast, your jacket/coat sleeves may not fit over your cast

and the yard work is waning)

Sign up for share services (health insurance) the month before your accident to help with hospital bills.

Learn humility and willingness to ask for help.

Keep life as simple as possible.

Most of all - Plan to avoid the accident.

Be careful on ladders!

The Power of Light

 One of the most beautiful parts of the season is the sparkling, twinkling lights.

We have had some dark, rainy days recently and the lights certainly do warm the days and disperse the grey.

The lights ... a picture of the Light of the World - Jesus Christ.

He came to give an answer to the darkness of sin in the world.

What a blessing to us all!

The week after Thanksgiving,

we did a little decorating outside.

Be did not want to be "that house" in the subdivision!

Turns out that we didn't have to worry about it,

but the house does look happier with some greenery and lights.

Then we debated the inside.

We had retired (thrown out) our little alpine Christmas tree in OR after over 10 years of service.

Little did we know what inflation would look like this year.

Hubby liked the lights and garland outside so much

that we decided to do it in the house as well ... instead of a tree.

It adds lights and a place to hold some favorite ornaments.

And it saves valuable floor space - win, win, win.

And of course, the decorating was not complete without the Nativities.

More Recovery Than A Wrist

 Other than the first 27 years of my life when I didn't know what a workout was,

I do not believe that I have ever had more than a week off from my workouts.

With surgery, splint, cast, and the first few weeks of wrist rehab,

I went 8-10 weeks without a really good workout.

Yes, I tried, but there was only so much I could do without jarring too much,

lifting too much,

or being in an unstable position.

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving,

hubby and I did our "Turkey Trot."

It was rough, but it was a start back into things.

We did 6 rounds of jog 2 minutes, and walk 2 minutes.

This week, I have started back at the beginning of the Couch 2 5K program.

The first week is a 60-second jog and a 90-second walk for 8 rounds.

I need to build my endurance and stamina back.

I also started back to more dedicated strength sessions instead of just cardio.

There is a bit of creativity involved to accommodate this weak, stiff wrist,

but it is good to be back.

I don't know how long the wrist rehab will take or how long it will be till I can use my 12 lb weights again,

but you have to start somewhere.

Right now I am rehabbing the wrist for 45 min to an hour 3-4 times a day.

I am "running" 3 times a week.

I am back to my workouts 5-6 days a week.

And when I am not rehabbing ...

there is the typical "woman's work."

But the house is fairly easy to keep in shape,

and I am keeping the meals simple and light after our holiday feasts.

A Week of Thanks - Day 7

 Today, as we dig out the Christmas decorations,

I am thankful for this season of the year.

I am thankful that Christ would come as a baby to die for my sins.

I am thankful for the hymns that focus our hearts on His life and ministry.

I am thankful for a season focused on giving.

I am thankful for the beauty of the decorations with many symbols pointing to Christ.

A Week of Thanks - Day 6

 There is not a day that goes by that I do not want to express thanks for my hubby.

He has been God's perfect match for me for the past 20 years.

he has exhibited care in leading our home.

in providing for me,

in caring so deeply for me,

in rejoicing and weeping when I rejoiced and wept.

In the past 8 weeks,

he has particularly shown a selflessness in meeting my every need as I recover 

and in helping with my therapy daily.

I may have had to wait for my mate longer than many,

but he is certainly worth the wait.

A Week of Thanks - Day Five

 I am thankful for God's Salvation.

I am a sinner.

I deserve nothing but punishment and eternity in Hell.

But ...

God in His mercy sent His Son to pay for the penalty of my sin by dying on the cross for me.

As a little girl,

I believed that Jesus is God

and trusted that He took my punishment on the cross.

There is no greater gift than the Gift of Eternal Life!

A Week of Thanks - Day Four

 I am thankful for Friends.

It is great to have friends around the nation and now around the world.

We are thankful for friends in NY, WA, NC, SC, OR, KY, and TN.

We are also thankful for friends in or headed to Colombia, Ivory Coast, the Philippines, and Australia.

With a common bond in Christ, friends become family.

I am thankful for all those that we have met and with whom we still communicate.

I am thankful for the prayers, care and concern of those near and far.

A Week of Thanks - Day Three

 I am thankful for my family.

After nearly 3 years in Oregon,

I have been thankful to catch up with family again.

Covid and family responsibilities kept us from traveling,

but by December 1, we will have seen all of the immediate family except for 3.

I am thankful for nieces and nephews who still want to see their aunt and uncle.

I am thankful for each one who spent valuable resources to make a trip in the last 8 months to stay in touch.

I am thankful to be within a reasonable driving distance again.

A Week of Thanks - Day Two

 I am thankful for a body that is fearfully and wonderfully made.

I have never had a health issue like I have this year.

My fracture did require plates and screws,

but God created my body to use those tools to heal.

The collagen piled up in just the right space to strengthen a broken bone.

The incision closed up and generated new skin.

The muscles continue to relearn what they are supposed to do.

I am thankful for His care in every aspect of our life.

By Degrees:

Extension is still 55 degrees

Flexion increased to 45 degrees this week

A Week of Thanks - Day One

I am so thankful for a new home.

God has blessed us with a beautiful home.

God gave us a home near a sizeable city.

He gave us a home with walkable sidewalks.

He gave us a home within 1 mile of hubby's work.

He gave us a home that was brand new as well as new to us.

He gave us the right size home at the perfect time.

He provided a closing date before rates went too high.

He provided discount after discount on moving trucks.

Simple Pictures are Best

 For the past 7 weeks,

I have had much time to think.

Some of my work has been postponed,

while other work just takes so long that I can do a lot of thinking.

My thinking this week has had me thinking about a childhood book,

"Simple Pictures are Best."

It is a fun story of a couple who are celebrating their anniversary with a commemorative picture.

As they "sit" for the picture, they think of all of the things that they want in the picture.

Nothing can be left out.

The photographer keeps reiterating, "simple pictures are best."

In the end, as the apprentice tries to get the couple to smile,

the bull gets out and actually ends up the only thing in the picture.

My prideful self wants to stress about the upcoming holidays.

My prideful self wants to create the "perfect" day.

My prideful self wants to fill the day with things I may not be able to do right now.

My prideful self wants to worry.

But don't you think "simple holidays are best?"

Maybe there is some boxed food.

Maybe you don't make every side dish you planned.

Maybe there are some paper plates.

Maybe the pizza delivery man is called on.

Maybe you are packed in like sardines.

Perhaps you are stressing about the holidays.

It's not about the food.

It's not about the venue.

It's not about the decorations.

It's about the heart of the day.

It's about friends/family and thankfulness to God for all that He has provided.

By Degrees

For those who have been praying for my rehab progress ... thank you!

The prayers are working.

 I am one-week post cast removal.

I mentioned that day one was a big discouragement.

There was a daunting task before me.

Could I progress without professional therapy?

Would YouTube really be enough?

Hubby and I set a mark.

If I wasn't improving by Thanksgiving,

we would make an appointment at PT.

One lady on YouTube encouraged me over the weekend.

She documented her progress for the first two weeks post-cast.

And ... she showed her progress in one year.

She documented all of the exercises that I was doing

and suggested an app.

The app was a CLINOMETER!

Now I can monitor my progress ... by degrees.

My goal is to get to 90 degrees of flexion and extension.

So far the greatest flexion (palm down) I have seen is 60 degrees.

And the greatest extension (palm up) is 25 degrees.

The swelling continues to go down.

AND ... I did a weight workout with 2 lb weights today!

I also practiced on the organ on Sunday afternoon and plan to accompany the service Sunday am!

Two Sides of the Same Coin

 There is much excitement today.

The cast is off.

I have washed away most of the dead, dry skin on my arm.

The scar is looking better now that 4 more weeks have passed.

I can progress with phase 2 - REHAB!

Working on grip with therapy putty

And there is a little discouragement.

 I tried to prepare for what "stiffness" meant, but I fell far short.

It is as if my arm and hand are just fused together without a joint.

My range of motion is tiny, very tiny.

I have gained a little mobility as I worked on some exercises throughout today,

but it feels like a long road.

But, I have a great cheerleader who worked from home today 

and made the meals while I rested and exercised.

It is definitely ready for a rest tonight.

The Cat (er ... sock puppet) is Out of the Bag

 It didn't last long.

It has been discovered that my hubby has a crazy side.

He introduced the crazy  to a friend ...

... and then we received this ...

... a crazy sock puppet.

And now, the entertainment just flows.

Preparation

 Only 3 days left ...

and I am preparing to REHAB.

I am accumulating my supplies,

planning my exercises,

and preparing mentally for how weak I may be

and how much time it may take to rehab.

"They" say 2 weeks for every 1 week in a cast.

And so I am preparing for that.

"They" also say pushups my not be comfortable for up to a year ...

well, maybe I am not mourning that one to much 😀

The Early Bird ...

 ...finishes a blog post.

The blog has been neglected ...

... not for lack of thinking about it,

but because I run out of steam by the end of the day,

I have usually overused my arm and it refuses to hang over a keyboard.

But, I just finished my grocery shopping

and saved so much time

that a morning blog post will be written.

The day that I wish to forget,

I had gone grocery shopping.

And then I was banned from driving!

Hubby took me shopping the next week,

but I could tell he was worn out and it was just one more thing to wear him out in addition to cooking and dishwashing.

Surely I could help him.

I discovered that I could get a Walmart+ subscription with free delivery for free for 4 weeks.

That would cover my time in the cast.

I also signed up for Kroger's delivery program for what we deemed a moderate fee.

It has worked surprisingly well.

This morning, my shopper was great and very communicative.

She even found me some marked-down products (big win)!

While it is not for everyone,

it has been a blessing in this season.

We even saved money this month because I wasn't seeing extra things that I "needed" while shopping.

It is a help in a one car family.

It allows me to restock bananas and spinach in the middle of the week as necessary.

And since everything I read says that I may have the best control of a car for about 8 weeks ...

I guess I will continue to see groceries on my doorstep.

2/3

On this Thankful Thursday,

I am thankful that I only have 2 weeks left in a cast. 

My convalescing is progressing well (I think).

I am 2/3 of the way through.

I will get my cast off on Election Day!

I am thankful that I am doing most of what I could do before the accident.

I am thankful for hubbys dishwashing help and for his occasionally help with other things just to speed up the process.

Normal activities take twice as long with one hand and by the time I finish, I am just worn out.

I am thankful for the fall season.

It seems as if fall may finally be here in KY.

We have enjoyed a few strolls through the changing leaves.

One was at a Scarecrow Walk at a local cave.

Local businesses put up scarecrows advertising their businesses along a walking path.

We also found a lovely greenway in northern TN and enjoyed strolling it one afternoon.

We have had beautiful leaves and everyone says it has been the best that they have seen in many years.

The temps have been bouncing around, but mostly staying in the fall range.

I am thankful for some natural "Icy Hot" that I had been given in Oregon.

I found that it helps to loosen my fingers when they want to tighten up and just be stiff.

I am thankful that I am back to playing some things on the piano,

I can't play octaves and crazy arpeggios, but I can give the general idea.

The Little Things

During one of my workouts, the trainer talks about our skewed view of self.

She mentions how we might be upset about our size or shape,

and yet, we can move about when others cannot.

Perspective is a beautiful thing.

 It is often when we lose something that we appreciate it more.

It is often when growth or learning is slow that we value it more.

I may appreciate a home more than some, not because I have ever been homeless, but because I have borrowed homes for years.

I appreciate my meals more after I have been to a place where there are fewer allergy-friendly options.

This week, I am enjoying each little activity that returns to my schedule.

I tied my sneakers again this week.

I pulled my hair back in a ponytail (albeit a loose one) all by myself.

I opened a can with the can opener.

I made a pumpkin pie while hubby was at work.

I ironed using my casted hand to hold the iron.

And ... I mowed the lawn today.

Though I was disappointed to be put in a cast instead of a splint,

I learned through the x-ray reports that I actually had broken both of my lower arm bones.

(I feel like a true overachiever)

While only one bone needed surgery, the other needs the help of the cast to set.

I also realize that the stability of the cast is making some activities possible again.

And the slow progress makes me appreciate each activity more.

"Slow and Steady,"' they say.

So this morning I had my 2-week follow-up.

They removed the splint,

they x-rayed again,

they removed the stitches,

and they cast my arm for the next four weeks.

All this while I proved why I could never be a nurse.

I saw the scar and stitches

and got very, very lightheaded.

The scar wasn't really red or particularly disgusting,

but it was long and I will definitely have a story to tell for the rest of my life.

I wish it could have been another splint,

but the doc said I had created too many pieces.

"Slow and Steady," he said.

I am glad that more of my fingers are free this time.

I am exercising them regularly and will try basic 5-finger piano very soon.

No octaves for a while.

I wasn't quite bold enough to go with the pink camo or the tie dye.

The blue is pleasant ... and there is really no disguising the cast anyway.

We do think it is a little less bulky than the splint, so I may be able to find a few more long-sleeve tops that accommodate it.

A Changing Rhythm

 Immediately upon my accident,

my rhythm changed.

My resting heart rate immediately jumped.

Upon surgery, it jumped some more.

Change, pain, and discomfort led my body to speed up its rhythm.

I need more blood to the wrist to heal it.

In fact, the research shows that I need more calories during this time, even though I am not as active.

Not only has the rhythm of my body changed,

but the rhythm in the home has changed.

There is a rhythm of an electric dishwasher after lunch to spare hubby a few dishes and drying out his hands even more.

The kitchen often has 2 cooks now.

The workouts are slower and more thought out.

I am glad that this rhythm does not have to be indefinite.

And I am trying to speed things along.

The 6 week timetable may not change, but I want my wrist to heal strong.

So, I am thinking of nutrients:

protein, calcium, healthy fats, vitamin D, Potassium, Magnesium, and Vitamin C.

All are working together to heal my body.

So some of my meals have become more like medicine than enjoyable meals.

Daily I drink a green smoothie.

Almond milk - protein and calcium

Spinach - calcium, potassium, Vitamin K

Banana - potassium

Flax Seed - Iron, protein, healthy fats

Peanut Butter - Protein

Matcha Powder - antioxidants, anti-inflammatory

Maple Syrup - just to make it drinkable

It is actually a good smoothie anyway, but I have upped the flax seed which makes the texture a bit thick!

It is also great because I can actually make it myself.

Take Nothing for Granted

 I can procrastinate with the best of them.

My life is fairly simple (isn't that my goal) which makes tasks fairly easy to juggle.

Last week, I mentioned that I was glad that I had finished painting a dresser.

It would have been terrible to see it staring at me for 6 weeks  ....

and hubby would have definitely wanted the space back in his garage.

So often, we think of not procrastinating in the realm of fixing relationships.

You never know what the next day will bring ...

death, illness, mental troubles.

But there is also the simple matter of just being deligent.

Get todays work done.

You never know what tomorrow holds.

I am "flying solo" again this week.

Hubby took his work back to the office.

I never would have imagined that I would be doing my everyday work with primarily one hand.

I am glad for the work that I stayed up on,

and sorry for the projects that I pushed to "tomorrow"

which may now be 5 more weeks.

Update:

I am one week into my healing.

I am primarily without pain except when I make a few odd movements without thinking.

I am actually using both hands to type this blog.

I have my first follow-up next Tuesday.

The surgeon said that he will remove the splint and cast the arm then.

I assume that there will be another xray - and I hope to hear that we are running ahead of schedule.

The 4-Year Old in Me

 Being restricted is a challenge.

My independent self does not like to rely on others.

I am often found making life "easier" for hubby in the kitchen.

This usually involves me trying to be independent, but instead making more work for him because of the mess I leave behind.

It involves me struggling for 15 minutes with tongue out and brow furrowed trying to button a shirt with one hand.

It involves strange scrawling on a grocery list or menu plan.

I am having to slow down, to think about the simplest tasks, to make extra trips.

One such activity is card writing.

It is one of the activities that I value as a special ministry.

While I might have to stop playing the piano for 6 weeks,

surely I can write a letter :)

You may receive one.

Please give grace.

The 4-year-old is trying.

This one is headed to Oregon.

The day after surgery, I filled the whole morning with a card and balancing checkbook because it took so long to write anything legibly.

My Right Hand Man

 My dear one has always been a hard worker,

but even more so this week.

While working from home, 

he has taken on ...

lawn care,

cooking,

dishwashing,

shopping,

and general help when I get "stuck."

Just hours before the event which we would like to forget,

I bought two bags of Macintosh Apples.

They are my favorite and are quite difficult to find in the PNW.

I told hubby that I had planned to make him a pie and some apple sauce

(as well as just enjoying them as snacks).

I should have bought them the week before to "keep the doctors away."

Yesterday, hubby decided to tackle some mini pies.

He did just great!

Here they are ... ready for the oven.

I may be out of a job when this is all over.

On The Mend

 I am so grateful for all the people who prayed for my surgery yesterday.

We arrived at the hospital at 1:30 with surgery slated for 3:30.

Well, surgery didn't happen until 5:30ish,

but I was out of the hospital by 8:30.

I am thankful for a skilled surgeon.

I am thankful that my new splint ends before my elbow and is only hard on the bottom making it more breathable.
I am thankful that hubby has been able to work from home.

I am thankful that I have been able to manage pain with Tylenol only.

I am thankful for the cool temps outside so the house is cool and comfortable.

And today, I don't feel too bad.

I can sense where the plate and screws are,

but I have done two small loads of wash

and made a tuna pasta salad with hubby's help.

I hope to take a walk later on this beautiful fall day.

Did I Mention that I Have to Paint?

Today is surgery day.

It appears that I get a plate and some screws.

And ... quite the lengthy recovery.

Hubby has been great helping his one-handed wife and just taking on a second job.

There are still some extra projects that have been going on.

I am glad I finished some projects that were already started.

In fact, I finished the dresser the day before the big fall.

One project was refinishing a dresser for our bedroom.

We sold 2 dressers that we had purchased when we married.

I had refinished them in OR, but we just needed to downsize.

We still have 2 dressers from hubby's grandmother.

But ...

we were tired of the French Provincial style.

this one is waiting its turn :)

So we turned it into more of a farmhouse look.

I was confused as to how to get the look I wanted.

I love the look of a wood top,

but the dresser had a laminate top.

I tried to sand, but to no avail.

Then I found a paint online that is made of wood chips.

I ordered it (again with survey money),

and it actually worked.

The top of the dresser was painted and then stained like regular wood.

I used "Coastal Blue" chalk paint and then distressed it.

And I spray painted the handles.

The other project was a console table that hubby made for the living room.

I so wanted a place to decorate for the seasons and a place to set things on the way in or out of the house (ie phone, wallet, bag).

It also is a good place to set a drink at night while relaxing on the couch.

Hubby quickly put this together using some leftover wood from the closet project and $12 of additional wood.

Stained top and shelf

Chalk paint on legs and aprons.

Simply

 Perhaps you noticed it on the SideBar ...

Perhaps you didn't.

Hubby has a new blog ...

He wanted something with a little more variety.

And he gave a little nod to his wife.

My blog is "Simply Keeping the Home."

His blog is "Simply a Working Man."

The Left Handed Blogger

 So...

I am all about making new experiences.

New homes, new friends, new churches ...

but I am making a first that I never expected to have at 47.

Yesterday, I decided to clean the siding in my entryway.

Shoulda, woulda, coulda says why didn't I just use the car wash brush ...

but I did not ...

and I tumbled off a step ladder, caught myself with my hand

AND...

TADA

It appears that I could not just break neatly,

I had to shatter it

and so ...

on Monday or Tuesday, I will have surgery including pins

and start on the road to recovery.

And at 47, I have experienced my first broken bone.

Now if only I were a southpaw like my father.

Making Friends - Do You Want to Play?

One of my goals when getting settled after a move is to make friends.

I usually find it easiest to make friends with "little" people first.

This move was no exception.

Early in our time at our new church,

we made friends with the children of the church.

They liked to play hide and seek.

And they wanted us to play as well.

They liked to hide in cupboards,

between cupboards,

behind tables,

all places that grown-ups can't really fit.

We played a round one day,

but then I decided that we needed to change up the game.

Enter - the little wooden people.

I made some wooden people to stand in for us.

The children even call them Mr. and Mrs. B.

We hide them so that at least some part of them is showing

and then we have to be found.

It is a lot easier for us, for they can hide in a lot better places.

Yardwork May be Dirty, but It's Not A Dirty Word

 There are few things that I enjoy more than working in the yard.

While I did not like weeding the red clay in preparation for the sod,

I love mowing, tending flowers, enjoying the outdoors.

We are not truly to Fall weather but after 3 days back in the upper 90s,

today's mid-70s weather was perfect for some mowing.

You can see a few spots where the grass was "drowned" or "matted down." 

Still some maintenance to do, but making progress.

When we moved to Oregon, hubby would always ask prospective landlords 

if I could mow or if they hired the lawn care out.

After nearly 6 months off, I am now back to mowing.

On Saturday, and then again today, I mowed our new yard.

It is a peaceful activity and usually very satisfying.

It takes a whopping 33 minutes and it is just perfect!

Hubby bought me a little battery-powered mower in OR.

After 3 years, I am thankful that it is still running well.

And now we are adding to the family of battery-powered tools.

2 weeks ago, I ordered an edger to keep the sidewalk, patio, and driveway neat,

and in the first week of October, I hope to order the string trimmer and blower.

Why wait for the order?

Well, I have been able to use survey money to provide for a lot of the extras in our move ...

Curtain rods, curtains, lawn care.  

By the first week of October, I should have what I need.

I am thankful that just this week,

God provided 2 online interviews (for 2 hours total) for $68 in gift cards.

Atypical, yes, but a blessing nonetheless.

Then 2 weeks ago,

a survey company sent me a Galaxy Smartwatch to evaluate.

When I finish the survey - on the marketplace it goes!

Thanksgiving, Stewardship, and the Goodwill Dilemma

II Samuel 24:24  

And the king said unto Araunah, 

"Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: 

neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. 

So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

There is not a day that goes by that I do not look around and thank God for my home.

This is not really a new concept - I have always seen our homes as a gift.

God has always provided the right place at the right time in miraculous ways.

I have always been thankful for a place to practice homemaking ...

places to practice new skills...

places to adapt and change ...

from the one-bedroom apartment of a newlywed,

to a two-bedroom apartment on the Pacific Coast,

to a single-wide trailer for college families,

to another single-wide trailer right next door,

to a two-bedroom duplex in a town near enough to care for family,

to my own home ...

But ...

I have noticed as I clean and tidy and organize

that the "new" home inspires a greater desire to do a good job.

Again, it wasn't that I never cleaned my home or put my all into it,

but it seems that because this home cost more than a "pretty penny,"

I value it more.

We tend to value that which has a greater cost to us.

Have you noticed this as prices rise?

Do you think before you just hop in the car?

Do you contemplate before sticking the "non-essential" in the grocery cart?

Is it worth it?

David recognized this when it came time to offer sacrifices.

He wanted his sacrifice to have weight and value.

As I cleaned one morning,

I was ashamed that I don't see all of God's gifts as items of great value.

All His gifts deserve proper stewardship and care.

Thus the Goodwill Dilemma ...

... and a challenge to me and a word to the wise.

I love Goodwill when I have the time to search for great finds.

(Of course, some stores are nicer than others.)

It is fun to find the styles of yesterday on sale today.

It is fun to find "deals" on skirts, dresses, shirts, home decor, and housewares.

And yet, I have also observed the lack of care and stewardship that sometimes comes with the bargain purchase.

I have noticed families that purchase "bargains" so that there is no hardship when the children make a mess or when the children are rough with the purchase.

While I agree with that idea in theory, and there are definitely seasons where this makes sense, and it does help to provide training times for children with less stress,

in practice, the "bargain" also often causes the parent to fail to teach the value of clothing, toys, or furniture.

Because it costs next to nothing, the children can throw it, rip it, jump on it, or leave it in the yard.

And why is this a problem?

Because the children (or I for that matter) may not learn good principles of stewardship.

We do not learn how to care for what God has provided.

We may not see the difference between the "bargain" item and the item at another person's house that might have cost quite a bit more.

Good stewardship of the funds God provides may involve shopping at Goodwill or yard sales,

but it also involves taking care of the bargains that God sends our way through these means.

Beyond the Living Space

 One of our primary wishes in a home was a garage.

Yes, it is nice to protect the car, especially in an area prone to tornadoes and wild storms,

but it is also our place to exercise.

We have made it work inside various homes, but it often involves a lot of moving of furniture,

and has resulted in dented floors and sweat that must be cleaned off of everything.

One of the challenges of the garage is in not filling it so full that it cannot suit its intended purpose.

Right now it is also a workspace for finishing or refinishing furniture

(see the dresser in front of the shelves),

but it is primarily hubby's space and I have to keep my sentimental storage to a minimum.

We quickly realized that if we insulated the door a bit,

the garage would be better suited to workouts year-round

and would also keep temperatures down inside.

We have worked to keep things off of the floor.

Hubby recently made the mat holder above the weight rack for the wall

as well as a rack for many of the tools of a homeowner.

I am looking forward to digging out the mower again very soon.

One of the other areas that we recently "set up" - at least temporarily - is the patio.

We have big dreams for this area - but all in good time - we must stay focused on some big goals.

I love to see "life."

Life in plants,

life in birds,

life in butterflies,

and maybe in time some little kiddos may move in across the backyard.

I was not sure if the birds would find my little feeders,

but today I had 3 eating away

(2 on the sock and one up on the hook above).

Happy, happy, happy!

Will have to wait until spring to see if the patio lavender comes back 

after the move and a hard summer without adequate light while in the apartment.

The sod is doing well - 

we are no longer watering twice a day, or even once a day.

I am enjoying an extra hour or two in my day!