Curiosity Killed the Cat ...

 ... but not me!

About a week ago, hubby and I went for a walk after dinner.

There was nothing new about that,

but the builder in our neighborhood was having a grand opening of the new Model Home.

I love seeing the latest in home designs and decorations,

so I asked hubby if we could stop in.

We took a quick tour of what they were labeling "The Barbie Home."

As you can imagine, there was a lot of pink.

It was definitely not decorated to my liking.

But, as we left, they took my contact info.

Normally I would not share this,

but technically they already have it

and I have already purchased what they are selling.

Today they called and told me I had won a $50 Amazon card.

So curiosity may have killed the cat,

but a 5-minute self-guided tour made me a few dollars!

Sweetest Day - a "step" by "step" narrative

We don't always remember,

but this year we did.

We don't always celebrate,

but this year we did.

It really didn't look much different than any other day together,

but it is fun to give it a label.

Saturday was Sweetest Day.

Hubby and I enjoyed the day together.

We started with one single lap at our favorite park (just for a few steps).

Then we headed to the downtown area for the Harvest Festival.

We wandered a few craft booths,

enjoyed the fall decorations,

and mad our way up to our favorite Cafe.

We enjoyed a huge harvest bowl - 

quinoa, sweet potato, roast chicken, apples, cranberries, pumpkin seeds.

I think we could have split one, but we didn't realize how large they would be.

We wandered town for a few more steps,

and then because hubby was such a good sport about the festival,

I bought him an iced coffee at Dunkin Donuts.

With coffee in hand,

we went down the street to another local park to walk the Scarecrow Trail.

This was our second visit this year

and our third year to attend.

As we got back to the car ...

I hit 13,000 steps - my goal!

Now to head home to just relax.

Click.

Click.

Oops!  The battery was dead.

Firestone about 3/4 mile down the road - no battery in stock.

Discount tire about 1 mile - we don't stock batteries.

We decided to trek to Walmart to get the battery.

3 miles ... one way!

We got out battery

and after a long walk back (especially for the one carrying the battery)

we were up and running!

How many steps for the day?

Well, it was my record for the year 27,000!

What a blessing that it was a beautiful day!

What a blessing that we did not go dead in a more remote location!

What a blessing that our daily workouts made that jaunt seem feasible!

It wasn't the afternoon that we expected,

but we did enoy spending the WHOLE of Sweetest Day together

and creating a new, crazy memory.

Oh!  

And hubby is going to listen to that little voice that tells him 

we must be getting close to needing a new battery.  

The old one was 6 years old this month!

Time Away

 There is nothing like time away.

Time away from the regular work of the day

(for me that means no cooking!)

Time away from the work phone ringing.

Time to enjoy something new.

Almost 2 weeks ago,

hubby and I set out on a trip north for a family wedding.

This one was in Wisconsin,

so we decided to detour on the way into Chicago.

Since hubby had been in bootcamp in that area,

he wanted to return to the Aquarium located up there.

The setting was lovely.

The weather was lovely.

Of course, the aquarium was full of marvels of creation.

We tried something new and packed a very small lunch because we did not know how long the aquarium would take.

We each carried a tuna/quinoa salad, some apple sauce, crackers, some nuts, and 2 water bottles.

It was simple, but healthy and less expensive than the aquarium offered.

We had the morning free on the morning of the wedding.

Our airbnb wasn't as fabulous as the "wedding chapel" from last August in NY,

but it was right on a walking trail,

so we walked about 6 miles - a welcome stretch after sitting in the car.

We also found a fresh, healthy restaurant in our "back yard" and walked to lunch.

Fall is almost upon us and we are looking forward to some more "explores" as the weather cools and the leaves change.

Something "Out of the BLUE"

I often blog about changing ministries.

I often remind myself and others that sometimes ministries need to change.

Sometimes ministries involve creativity.

I am not currently teaching,

I don't have an abundance of music responsibilities,

but since our time in NC, I have had a heart for college students.

 Within the next few day,

I hope that there are some very happy college students.

I organized a collection to send out boxes to 11 students and one airman.

The only stipulation was that the items had to be blue - or at least wrapped in blue.

The church came through and we filled 12 of the USPS large boxes.

The boxes were light enough that it was cheaper for me to wrap the boxes 

rather than paying the "one rate" price.

Here are 6 of the 12 boxes.

The other 6 had already been delivered to the post office.

'Tis the Season

 The weather may not be cool yet,

but when the calendar hits September,

I am ready for fall decorations.

So this past weekend in the heat and humidity,

hubby and I worked on some autumn decorations.

The neighborhood is hosting a decorating contest.

We will in no way win,

but I wanted to contribute something clean and wholesome to the darkness all around us.

We decided on trying a blend in the large pots.

mums, asters, kale, ornamental peppers, and the "tall thing"

and the browning lemon grass, pumpkins, mums, celosia, and cockscomb

A festive garland with lights above the door

and inside - the same garland with lights

When the days get shorter, we like the twinkly lights inside

From September to March we will have some sort of garland and lights around the living room window.

22

22 YEARS!

Another anniversary to celebrate.

A few years ago, I read a book that talked about how your home decorations should be more than pretty.

They should inspire discussion.

They should say something about you.

And I thought of how I might do that in our home.

This year hubby got me a decoration that fit the bill.

It tells our anniversary.

It uses Scripture.

It shows the places we have lived - independently and as a couple.

You can't see, but there are three colors - Hubby (silver), Me (rose gold), and Couple (gold)

When I look at the scattered pins,

it reminds me of all the miracles that had to occur to bring us together

and all the miracles and provisions that have occured as we added more pins together.

Happy Anniversary to my dear hubby!

And may our prayer always be ...

"...cause me to know the way wherein I should walk."

 

Manna Doesn't Come in Bulk

 I have been listening to an audiobook and was fascinated by this idea.

Manna doesn't come in bulk!

I like to know what is coming.

I like to be in charge.

I like to know that the future is secure.

I want to know that things will be done decently and in order.

I like to MAKE things happen.

But, God doesn't always work that way.

His mercies are new every morning.

He provides "daily bread."

I should be content with that.

So on this "Thankful Thursday,"

I am thankful for the blessings of today.

I woke beside a man who works hard each day.

I ate a good breakfast that strengthens me.

I woke in the protection of a cool house.

My legs carried me on my morning walk.

I may not see the month's worth of blessings,

because manna doesn't come in bulk!

Room for More

The HOA gave me a good excuse for more plants!

Recently, the HOA decided to crack down on exposed trash cans.

The bilaws say that trash cans must be inside, out back, or hidden from the road.

We often keep our trash can in the garage,

but

sometimes the heat of the summer can make the trash a little intolerable.

So hubby built me a planter / screen.

The center plant is supposed to be evergreen (or yellow) - so hopefully will still look beautiful all winter.

The side plants are red day lilies.

Since hubby built it,

I could stain it to match the garage header.

And hubby made it strong enough (and heavy enough) 

to survive any B.G. storm.

I am enjoying an overcast day with not such a crazy heat index.

It was the perfect morning for yardwork.

When the Temperature Climbs

 

By the end of the day, it is easy to be grumpy when the temperature climbs.

The day starts early so that the outside work and any baking can be done by 8 or 9.

Running and/or walking, strength workouts, yardwork can all be unsafe in the high heat of the day.

My quiet time this week has reminded me to focus on God's nature.

The Psalms are full of reminding me of His mercy, His care, His protection, His strength.

I am thankful that He is faithful regardless of the temperature.

I am thankful that when the heat "zaps" me, His strength is unchanged.

I am thankful for His provision of a cool home (even 78 feels cold after being outside).

I am thankful that hubby is no longer in a hot mechanic shop when temps are high.

I am thankful for His provision of water and cool meals.

Make it Fun

Laundry is one of those jobs that seems to never end.

Even with just two family members,

the laundry builds up quickly.

With the high temps,

it seems even more so because every workout, walk or run deems an outfit worthy of a wash

and even the good clothes can't make it beyond a day.

I use wool balls in the dryer.

They are supposed to help things dry faster.

They can add scent if you put a few drops of essential oil.

They keep the laundry from clumping up so that it dries more quickly.

My last dryer balls were falling apart,

no longer removed static,

and were just begging to be replaced.

So I added some fun to my chores.

Now these little penguins greet me when I finish a load of wash.

Doesn't that make you smile too?