Remember and Appreciate

 Today is a day of remembrance.

Three years ago, we said goodbye.

It was one of those goodbyes that isn't suppose to occur.

We expected to bury hubby's father and mother in our lifetime,

but we didn't expect to say goodbye to a nephew.

Just a little boy ...

Every life can make a difference.

My mother-in-law taught me to give and give some more.

She taught me that sometimes small changes in my life can open doors of ministry.

She inspired me practically to clean more and to clean deeper.

Little Timmy taught us too, even in his very few years with us.

We learned to be more sensitive to those with special needs.

We learned a joy in just the simple events

and to rejoice in milestones that often are taken for granted.

He taught us to value life and health.

He taught us how to fight and fight hard for good things.

On our day of remembrance,

take time to be thankful.

Take time to value something in each life around you.

Don't just think of the appreciation,

convey it to that person.

Help and Accountability

 Today was a basic home workday.

There was no running around.

There were no unusual visits.

I was rested after recovering from my bad decision-making on Monday evening.

My week typically begins with a general home cleaning on Monday.

This would be linens, bathrooms, vacuuming, and dusting throughout.

Then on Tuesday and Wednesday, I work in 1 of 5 specific ZONES.

This week was zone 3 which is the bathrooms and guest room.

Cleaning in specific rooms involves wiping down walls and baseboards

and moving furniture to vacuum behind things.

It involves tidying drawers and closets and cabinets and bookshelves if applicable.

It might involve washing curtains (more like once a quarter) or pillows or changing air filters.

This plan comes from a phone app that I found a couple of years ago.

The app allows me to check off what I have done and to be reminded of things I have skipped.

There is no wondering when I last washed the shower curtain or changed the fish's water.

This plan was motivated by the desire to stay on top of things.

Everything gets addressed at least once every 5 weeks!

There is a hope that on moving day, 

any helpers (or even hubby) won't see something awful when the couch or bed is moved.

There is a hope that any spider webs in the corners will only be minor if ever discovered.

I am reminded on a schedule of things that need to be addressed.

This is a simple example of a system of help and accountability.

Think of how many systems God has put in place to also address issues in our life.

He has given us His Word.

His Word should be read daily to remind us of His desires and our need for Him.

He has given us His church.

A balanced church should challenge believers and help to put a finger on sin in our lives.

He has given us fellow believers.

We should be challenged by the actions and rebukes of believers around us.

Are you availing yourself of the help and accountability available to you today?

When You Know Better

 Well, chalk another one up to "I knew better."

I mentioned that hubby took a sick day yesterday.

Then he was sweet and wanted to have a little date that evening.

He loves a good coffee and I will join him for a tea of some sort.

But our coffee shop was out of my favorite tea ...

and there was the "Apple Crisp Macchiato."

There are nothing like the flavors of fall - apple, pumpkin spice -

and they all go perfectly with coffee.

Surely just this once in 3 months would be ok - 

decaf - coconut milk - only 2 pumps of syrup instead of 3 ...

but "no," I spent the evening tossing and turning and taking surveys until 12:30 am.

The little caffeine, especially in the evening, just didn't work.

...And I knew better.

While the coffee was phenomenal, it was not worth it!

Isn't that the way with many of our decisions?

We think that surely this once we won't face the consequences.

Sometimes there is grace and mercy - 

but is it worth it?

Why not just do right?

What decision are you mulling over today?

Are you trying to get away with something?

Is there something you know you should give up ... completely?

Stop stifling your good progress!

Just let it go!

Seasonal Bug

 Even with the healthiest of diets,

there is always a little struggle at the change of seasons.

Hubby is at home with me today -

not a full-blown illness, but just a need to rest and kick something chasing him.

He spent the day, mostly quiet

and working on stuff to do with his mom's estate.

And I stuck to the Monday cleaning schedule for the most part.

It was nice to have some company

and the extra push to work a little faster and a little harder.

It was nice to have some company for lunch on a cool fall day.

And he is feeling much better.

And though we may want to wonder why we still have to face this seasonal bug,

we remind ourselves that it used to catch him quicker

and last for 3 or more days at a time.

We are grateful for the improvement in immune function.

And what are we eating this week?

Sunday - leftover vegetable stew from Saturday

Monday - leftover vegetable stew from Saturday but add some kidney beans

Mashed potato, gravy, roasted broccoli, beets, and one small pork chop for hubby

Tuesday - Shrimp pesto

Wednesday - Breakfast for Dinner

Thursday - Burrito Bowls (rice, taco seasoned beans, sauteed onions and peppers, guacomole)

Friday - Make Fast Food at Home!

I am also trying some new muffin recipes.

Here is a new one sweetened only with fruit.

I did add some chocolate chips (just in case they weren't sweet enough).

Muffins are a staple when you want the easy-to-grab snack with some nutrition.

Hubby takes 2-3 daily for his snack at work

and they often serve as an after dinner snack (unless Cheerios wins out).

Don't Forget the Gift

 Psalm 100:4

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

and into His courts with praise:

Be thankful unto Him,

and bless His name.

As a church musician, 

we are entering into a busy season.

There is special music for Thanksgiving

and then without a break there are the anthems of Christmas.

Currently, I am working on both seasons with the church children

and two songs include music based on Psalm 100 for Thanksgiving.

Perhaps it is just me,

but I am intrigued with gates.

I am drawn in by secret gardens and courtyards.

There is something peaceful about a courtyard.

There is something inviting about a gate.

And the Lord invites us, commands us, to visit these places with thanksgiving and praise.

When I am invited to a home, I like to take a hostess gift - 

flowers, soap, candles, food treat.

And my host makes the gift easy.  

Just come with praise.

There is so much to be thankful for.

I mentioned earlier that I am so thankful for the break in the rain on Saturday for the picnic.

I am thankful for the hope that God gives when the way is dark.

I am thankful for the man that I get to serve and minister with.

I am thankful that he supports my ministries and strengths.

I am thankful for health and strength.

I am thankful for the sale of my MIL's truck today (and more room in the driveway).

I am thankful for a break in the rain to walk to town and to mow the lawn today.

Let Our Lives Be Full of Both 

Thanks and Giving

Don't Give Up

The jokes are plentiful ...

husband/wife, daughter-in-law/mother-in-law, in-laws in general.

I don't like the jokes.

I don't like the generalizations.

But perhaps you have seen your real life reflected in the jokes.

I have to say that I did not always have the best relationship with my MIL.

And I get it ... I really do.

I was so different.

Can you imagine a girl who had never hunted?

...had never even shot a gun?

...was not versed in camping?

and then wore a skirt for ALL activities?

Then she adopted strange dietary habits!

It just didn't make sense.

The chasm was wide.

And add to that that her son had changed.

After nearly 20 years, the suppositions became comical.

She thought that he made me walk everywhere.

She thought that I made him eat healthy.

In truth, I was the one who would prefer to walk anywhere

and he was the discipline I needed to properly care for my body with my meals.

We learned to get along.

And in the last days, I may have known more about her than almost anyone.

I became her companion and nurse.

Not only that, but I was changed.

I realized that there were things that I could change to be more relatable.

Jewelry and makeup and purses were important to her.

And they were not to me.

But in order to minister, I remembered to put a little blush on in the morning,

I learned to accessorize (and maybe even like it a bit),

I tried to vary my handbags.

It was my way of "becoming all things to all people."

All this to say,

I don't know what difficult relationship you face,

but there is hope.

Cling to a Biblical Principle.

For me it was our reason for moving to Oregon and helped in the hard days.

"If any will not care for his own, he is worse than an infidel."

So keep praying

and do what you can to keep the peace.

The resolution may be right around the corner.

When the Real "You" Comes Out

 We often use an example of a teabag.

You may not know what is in the tea bag UNTIL it is put in hot water.

It is then that the tea, the flavor, seeps out.

I must say that I was faced with that situation this summer.

When the heat turned up,

when things got busy,

when there were more demands on my time,

I could see what was inside.

Unfortunately,

Some days, I most clearly saw my own selfishness.

Oh, how I wanted a morning to myself.

Oh, how I missed one shopping trip a week.

There were easier ways of fulfilling the tasks presented.

Why couldn't things be done MY way?

In seeing my selfishness,

I could work on it.

I could serve as Christ wanted me to serve.

I could remember that one day I might need daily help.

One day, I might be asking for help in ways that could be simplified.

I could remember that life is not all about ME.

Jesus was a servant - He served with humility.

I needed to follow suit.

What are the pressures of life showing you today?

Instead of blame-shifting,

why not work on you?

Why not let something sweet come out of your teabag?

Fall Picnic

 We are in the rainy season here in the Wilamette Valley.

It is a strange occurrence to most people.

After 5 months with no rain (or possibly drizzle on 2-3 days),
we will literally have rain every day until April.

It won't be all day, every day ... 

but at some point each day,

it will rain!

We planned a picnic for this past Saturday.

Some of the attendees were concerned ... and rightly so,

the weather would be horrible!

We did rent a pavilion for the party

and we prayed.

The weather prediction was Rain, Rain, Rain!

God gave us a damp October day - 

but only a few sprinkles during the picnic

and even some sun breaks.

The children were able to play on the availble equipment,

the fire pit was usable for heat and s'mores,

the leaves were beautiful against the often grey skies.

I enjoyed cooking for a crowd again.

I took shredded Italian pork, sloppy joes, baked beans,

cuties, grapes, and deviled eggs.

There were also lots of soups.

And this week ...

Sunday - leftover baked beans / green beans / salad

Monday - shepherd's pie (substitute lentils for ground meat)

Tuesday - mashed avocado taco (mash avocado with white beans and put in corn tortilla)

Wednesday - breakfast for dinner

Thursday - Crockpot White Bean Soup

Friday - Fast Food Fix (probably fish and french fries)

Time Away

 On this Thankful Thursday,

I am thankful for time away at the beginning of October.

For the past year,

while we could have gone away,

we felt a responsibility to be near in case we were needed.

 

We enjoyed day trips to the coast a few times,

a trip to the Tillamook cheese factory in May,

and some shopping trips in neighboring towns.

But between Covid shutdowns and responsibilities,

we had not had a vacation.

At the beginning of October,

we took a little getaway to see 2 well-known West Coast sites.

We went to Northern California to see the Redwoods,

and then traveled to see Crater Lake here in Oregon.

We first went to Mystery of Trees - highly "touristy,"

but the suspension bridges through the trees was fun

and there was a gondola ride through the trees as well.
Both were a little bit of a challenge as far as a fear of heights.

We also just hiked through the national forest on a rainy afternoon.

The great thing was - the forest was pretty dense and we stayed mostly dry.

We are always drawn to the coast.

The first picture is the California coast on a stormy afternoon.

And a pier and a lighthouse in Crescent City, CA.

We also enjoyed Chick Fil A for the first time since leaving NC 2 1/2 years ago.
There are sadly only 7 in Oregon and the nearest is right outside of Portland
which we don't like to visit.

And Crater Lake was just beautiful.

When we left home, we thought we would be visiting in snow and icy rain,

but just look at the skies.

We had talked of going to the Redwoods when we lived in Washington,

but just never had.

Come April or May, it is likely that we will not be back to this area of the West,

so we wanted to take it in before we move again.

I am thankful because we had the time to take the trip.

I am thankful because we had the resources to make the trip.

I am thankful because the weather was cool and comfortable (and only a little rain one day).

I am thankful because our car developed an issue on the trip but never left us stranded.

I am thankful because God created such magnificent beauty.

I am thankful because I have someone to share my adventures with.

Clean It Up

Back to Woman's Work Wednesday ... 

Part of our responsibilities of my MIL's estate
was to prepare her "home" to be donated.
We rented a steam cleaner to clean the carpets
and while we had the cleaner, I asked hubby to spot clean a few stains in our home.
The spots he cleaned showed us just how dirty the carpets were.
The carpet throughout the whole house really needed doing.
We are not sure that the cleaners before we moved in put a lot of effort into the process.

Some simple math led me to believe that I could buy a small machine
to clean my carpets and then I could sell it for half the price when we move
and make out better than renting one again.
I could take my time and I could do it more than once.

So last week I began the process.
I finished 2 rooms (the living room and bonus room).
Monday, I finished the dining room.
Yesterday, I completed the guest room.
Now I just have the Master Bedroom for next week.
I will probably repeat the process upon completion,
because I was actually still not getting clean rinse water after completing the first round.

I love the feeling of "knowing" that my house is really clean.
It is more than just the superficial.
It is a "breath easier" feeling.

What are you working on specifically this week?

Do you have a goal project?

I have also been working on running again.
It is actually going fairly well. 
I am no longer timing myself per se.
I am not trying to do a 10-minute mile.
I am interval running 2-3 times a week.
I have read that interval exercise is actually better than steady running.
It keeps the heart working and recovering over and over again.
I run for 2 minutes, I walk for 2 minutes, and I repeat it 6-8 times.
You know what?
it is getting more enjoyable (most days).
And some days, I actually move fast enough that hubby can get some cardio value from it.
All part of that effort to take care of my health.
And this time of year, who can't enjoy the fall leaves, the cooler temperatures, and the fall decorations?