This is the day the LORD hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!
With my cold cup of coffee in one hand and an opened bag of yellow onion bulbs in the other, I ventured outside for a little garden time. Now, I live in a city, in a fairly quiet little community, in a suburb. There is a hospital, a firehouse, a school and a river with all its trades nearby. Because of these establishments there comes a great deal of man made sounds: sirens, alarms followed by sirens, school children's laughter and playful screaming while waiting for the bus and then there are the foghorns and traffic from the bridges that cross this river. I am quite used to these sounds and even find comfort in some of them. (I love the sound of the tugs' foghorns and laughing children..)
Anyway, this morning has been quite a gift from God. On my backyard venture I was met with....quiet. A few birds chirping, a couple of squirrels scurrying down from the old trees for their morning meal of birdseed and a mallard flying in for the same cuisine, but still...quiet.
My world, even for only a short time today, is filled with the most soothing morning fog imaginable. The cool morning air is so filled with sweetness that I can almost taste it. The cardinals, titmouse, chickadees, gray squirrels and the lone mallard male seem to be enjoying this lightly jacketed morning as much as I am. This is a day to rejoice and be glad in....truly it is.
It is so nice to be able to go out into my backyard. I would love to have a covered area where I can sit, read, craft and sip whatever it is that I feel like sipping. I do not have the finances to build what I see in my mind's eye, but I do have a weathered old picnic table with an umbrella. My husband knows of my wish so he cut a hole in the middle of the ol' gray thing and now I have a nice shaded place to sit, read, craft and sip whatever it is that I feel like sipping.
It is nothing fancy but we are making the most of what God has given us. (Not only it is a place to sit, read..etc..it is a wonderful gardening table. There have been many a repotting and plant starting done on my old weathered friend.)
I love going out in the morning and doing my gardening work. Weeding is much easier because the soil is usually moist from the dew and of course, the weeds just pull right up. And having mornings like this morning everything done in my garden is pleasurable. I did plant some more onion bulbs. I like to stagger my plantings so I can enjoy fresh onions throughout the summer and even into the fall.
My little raised beds are doing fairly well. The blooms are coming on...so God is at work as usual.
The cucumbers, yellow squash, zucchini, bell peppers all have yellow or white plumage beginning. I am hoping to put up sweet pickles, dill pickles, sweet pickle relish and dilly beans this summer. Of course, I am also hoping for lots of jams and fruits to put up soon, but for the present they have to come from the surrounding farms and orchards. I do love to can my own foods!
This week, actually starting today, the Beale Bungalow dejunking will begin. I have done all I can do in my gardens, so now it is time to get busy inside. I have a plan...I call it my "Bojangles' Plan"; I will explain that tomorrow.
Well, it is time to run a load of laundry, get the house straightened and have my second cup of coffee (hot this time)...then the dejunking begins.
Rejoicing in His day,
Sharon
I am really feeling unappreciated today. I seem to BE the only one who knows how to load the dishwasher and then actually run it. (It takes a great deal of know how to push the right button.) Then there is the actual cleaning of the sink. Gee, a little soap, a little water, a dish towel, some elbow grease and then a good rinse. It must be rocket science and since I was a nurse...which falls under the sciences in college...I am the only one qualified for such a task. Sigh...
There are other tasks that seem to be mine and only mine... Picking up everything and putting them away. What about the folded towels that have been in the laundry basket for a week? I'm I the only one possessing the skill of putting them in the linen closet? I know this is not rocket science....I think.
I am aware that God sees all that I do, but my attitude in doing these monumental tasks have not been done in love, this night. Thank the heavens that my men have been in bed and away from my unappreciation pity party that I seem to be having. It is just that I do feel unappreciated and taken for granted which, in turn, makes me feel unloved. (My love language is "Serving" so when it goes unappreciated it feels as if my love is being rejected....hmmm...I need to work on this.)
I probably could take all of these "tokens" of my life if I had a night out or a vacation (at least once in thirty years of marriage) or a decent Mother's Day. It seems that I am always an afterthought of the family I am forever serving. This makes me very very sad. It is so hard not to grumble when I think I deserve something...gee..this is another thing I need to work on. At least I am honest..ehh...
Of course, I am going to go to my Heavenly Father....ask for forgiveness...repeat the verses that seem to be my montra for 2012...The Lord will replace what the locust have eaten; I lift mine eyes to the hills..where does my help come from...My help comes from the Lord...Maker of heaven and earth. I will take some time to place my focus back on Him, drink another bottle of water, brush my teeth, change into my nightgown, crawl into bed, hum a hymn in my head until I fall asleep. I know I will feel better tomorrow morning. At least that is my prayer.
Gosh, I am feeling extremely human and tired tonight....
Sharon
It is cooler in at the Beale Bungalow. My little garden is growing though. I am really trying to work it this year.
I have seven raised beds and they seem to be doing fine. This morning I was able to do some weeding and putting some soft ties from four of my cucumber to the "covered wagon". That is what I call the domed trellis in the second bed. When it is full of vines it favors a Conestoga wagon covering. I grew trombocini zucchini on it last year.
Today is going to be a lovely Friday. I am thawing a chicken for supper tonight. Laundry will be finished for the weekend. Schooling lessons will be done, of course. The house will get a cleaning and I will probably relax for a bit with some Trader Joe's Peppermint Tea sometime this afternoon. It is a day to rejoice and be glad in!
Sharon
On the 51st day, my daughter called! The very best Mother's Day gift ever! We talked hurts and misunderstandings out...apologies were said. Forgiveness asked for and I have my daughter back. Thank you, Abba!
I didn't realized how many people were praying that she would call. I am so thankful for each person that took the time and had the compassion to pray for this hurting momma's heart. I am truly grateful and relieved, I couldn't be more content at this moment. What a blessing. I am humbled, Abba.
The rain is falling and my garden is drinking in Heaven's refreshment. It is so very green outside. It kind of reminds me of a yard that one might see in a book about Ireland. I think the rain is forcasted to last most of the day. I really don't mind and I know that my veggies are ecstatic. Fresh water! Not the treated kind that comes from the hose.
The rainy day plays well into my plan for the day. Laundry, cleaning, baking and working on my rug. Not to mention schooling lessons with my son. We are on our summer schedule already, so today is Bible reading, Developmental Math, Explode the Code, SSRW book 11 and The Dangerous Book for Boys (we are learning how to tie 5 different knots today, a perfect rainy day indoor activity!)
I am trying to finish all my gardens so I can start dejunking and painting my house.
For the past few years I have been in a depression. Call it midlife crisis, menopause, stress, whatever you want, but a depression none the less. When I started coming out of my depression...I noticed how much I wasn't doing on a daily, weekly, monthly even yearly basis. YIKES!! My house was a dirty junky mess! I didn't mean to let it get so bad, but the second law of thermodynamics is so true. When left alone...decay sets in. (My paraphrase) The house needs a deep cleaning and I am chomping at the bit to get going. I just feel that food production must get started first...then cleaning. So, my gardens are almost done and the Beale Bungalow is getting a little makeover.
My plans are to dejunk and bless someone else. Deep clean each room. Paint every wall, ceiling, woodwork and door with a fresh...colorful coat of paint. Make new simple curtains for every window. Rearrange wall groupings. Bring in some life in the form of plants, crafts and whatever else God chooses to let me have and do. It will take all summer, but that is okay. I don't have a car right now, so home projects will be done. :)
I am also planning on doing a great deal of canning. Food is getting somewhat expensive and not the best quality either. So, I am trying to be as organic as I can in my little raised beds. I have already canned 20 pints of strawberry jam. I have found a lovely recipe for pickled pineapple that I am going to try next. By the end of canning season (which where I live will be November) I am hoping and praying for complete stock that will allow me to buy organic grass fed beef, organic free range chickens and such. This is a goal and my prayer.
Oh God, please let my hands to the work that You have ordainded for me to do. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Sharon
Tomorrow is Mother's Day. In my flesh, I am dreading it.
You see, on March 24th I called my daughter. Her husband has been just diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome along with a Traumatic Brain Injury (PTSD and TBI). They have always had a very rocky relationship. He was to have some test results on the 23rd, but when I called on that Friday...she did not pick up her phone. I called the next day..Saturday.
My daughter did pick up but all I heard was screaming and pleading from her. I panicked and ended up calling the police. I am in one state she is in another....this took a little time. She finally got on the phone and I told her not to worry...we were calling the police. She went ballistic!!! Somehow, everything became my fault and how dare I get involved. She said she didn't need me and once again, everything was my fault. I was in shock!! After very calmly telling her to to go to her husband she hung up and we have not spoken since.
My daughter was raised to respect her parents. My daughter was raised to be a godly woman and mother, but she has made some poor choices in her adulthood and now it seems to be all my fault. The Blame Game....
50 days and no phone call. Tomorrow is going to be rough.
God, please help me through it. I never knew how much it hurts to be so numb inside. I do believe You are in control. I do believe You work everything for our good and Your Glory. I do believe You will replace what the locust have eaten.
I am asking for a genuine smile tomorrow.
In Jesus Name--Amen
Gee, I get a blog and then my computer dies. What a bummer! But God knew what He was doing. The computer is a tool not a way of life and that is exactly what it had become, so now I get on, do my business and then get off. Lesson learned and habit broken. Praise God.
So, what has been going on for the past two months. My husband totalled my car, the computer died, our heat exchanger went out on our heating system, even my hairdryer died! On the 24th of March my daughter and I had a phone call that has changed our relationship. That is all the negative...
.....Here is the positive--because of no transportation I have had to reorganized my time and I am learning to be satisfied at home. This took some getting used to, but all is going very well. I am more content to be at home and doing what I believe God has for me to do.
Not having a computer has been very interesting. My son and I have had to go through cyberspace withdrawal symptoms. It was harder than I thought...but now I have so much time. Time to make rugs, bake, clean, garden etc. The computer is a HUGE time waster. It is a tool---not a way of life.
Another benefit on not having a computer is we are a family again. My son plays OUTSIDE! He is back doing is Lego creations, making movies on my camera, playing with the neighborhood children, reading better and actually enjoying schooling lessons. We, as a family, spend evenings together...not separated glued to a screen in the computer room. It has been wonderful to talk, laugh and joke again. I really didn't mind it after a while.
The heat exchanger had a chilly reception at the Beale Bungalow. This happened March 5th. It was cold in this house for about a month, but with space heaters and a gas stove in the kitchen...we managed. Once again...this brought the three of us closer together. One stays warmer when one is sharing the cold with others.
New hairdryer...easy fix!
Daughter dilemma....not so easy to fix. I have been on my knees more over this situation than the combination of all the other trials put together. I know where my help comes from. I know that He will replace what the locusts have eaten. I also know that all things will work together for my good (and my daughter's) and His glory. Today I am a peace. Doesn't mean I don't pray, but I am at peace....today.
Well, that's it....a catch up and fill in day. Tomorrow .... my Garden.
Sharon
I am sitting here listening to the beautiful love songs of the returning birds while the scent of spring is gently flowing in through my open windows. It seems to me that spring has already sprung and I for once am glad of it. Though I would have loved to be blanketed in the soft cool white fleece of winter....I am not going to moan and groan about missing out on the "winter" experience. I am so priviledged to be sitting here at my desk basking in this lovely "spring" experience. Time for cleaning up the lawn chairs, getting my garden ready for early planting, planting fresh flowers in my pots, buying paint for my inside painting projects, and ridding closets and drawers of unneeded articles that someone may be able to use. Yeap, spring fever has arrived and it is a much welcomed friend....
