Life is Exciting, isn' it?

I can not believe how much my life has changed in the last few months! All of it is good. It's just so different.

I guess it started when my sweet kids convinced me to buy the townhome. It all kind of escalated from there.

Increase of friends ( truly sent from God), projects to get my house and the townhome both better prepared for living in them, more homey atmosphere, more visiting with daughter and her family, more traveling back and forth, more prayers as to what to do concerning moving (that still is up in the air), just so many things happening. Keeping me so very busy.

Then, of course, walking in my first 5K and the thrill of that.

Having the opportunity to cook more for family in lp...wish the other part of my family was closer to be able to do that for them.

Just so many blessings. So many wonderful things happening. I get so tired when I do so much and then I sleep so well and I am ready to face another adventure.

I know this is where God wants me right now. I feel His presence guiding me, blessing me, protecting me, and bringing me along in His plan, and in His time. I am excited to see what happens next.

Walk with Jesus.

Life Goes On

Wow! I am learning so many new things!
For one thing, when I type a new post on a laptop and all of a sudden the whole thing disappears, where does it go????
And then when you wait a day and type one again, and the same thing happens, is it telling you somethin??? like, maybe, forget it and give it up??
But I am a stubborn ole cuss, so here I am again. Someone please let me know that all this is worth it and that someone is reading these blogs besides me. Please...
I just got back from lp and I had a wonderful time down there.
I had the chance to cook for two of my grandkids and they brought friends..which was alright with me...they asked in advance..which I thought was very nice of them. I did warn them to do that because I was frying chicken and I wanted to be sure to have enough for everyone...and I did. I am looking forward to more meals with them, that is for sure...I hope, I hope.
Then I had a chance too to cook for my daughter's birthday...late though it was. I made her favorite casserole. And it was kind of tricky. I have almost forgotten how to cook some of these dishes that used to be done all the time. I don't think I have cooked that particular recipe in 30 years. Can't imagine how she remembers what it even tasted like...she was so young then. Precious.
I am in the process of exchanging some of my furniture in my one home with some of the furniture in my 2nd home...just so that they will both feel comfortable to me. I did some of that today...and it worked out beautifully...very pleased with it. I even took some books and precious moments with me and they look great too. It is coming right along.
I am becoming more familiar with people at the church and I am sure I will soon be attending sunday services down there more than I have in the past.
Life is everchanging, isn't it? And I am glad for that because otherwise we would all get into a rut...and that is no good. I believe God wants us to live each day to the fullest with His guidance and always sharing Him and what He gives us to share...whether it is words, love, understanding, kindnesses, or monetary things to those who need them.
I have been blessed with a new handyman. I found him through the church that my daughter attends. He is a new Christian. He has a wife (she has a job) and four children, but he is temporarily out of work. I am keeping him busy and he is truly a blessing from God. He told me they had been praying for some way for him to bring in a little money and then the next day I called him. He is honest and personable. I have also found him a job with another person when he finishes my list.
However, he did put me to shame the other day....or, should I say, he opened my eyes?
I had purposely purchased too many groceries and I asked him to take some to his house. ..slyly of course, so as not to embarrass him...and he said...oh, this is great. our church is gathering food for the needy and I will put it in there.
Man! My mouth almost fell open. I was ashamed that I had not bought some for him and for the church. He had so little...no job and all...and he was giving to the needy. Isn't that an eye-opener?? It surely worked for me. Has made me want to be more aware of where I can give more to those who need it. Life goes on, and there are always people sent to you to help you learn again how wonderful God is and how He plans for you to do His will. Walk with God.

WHAT WOMEN NEED

I went to the doctor today and she weighed me and found that I had lost another 4.2 pounds. That was wonderful news to me.
The last time I had been to her was the week after my european trip and I had gained because I was retaining too much water.
It made me want to get rid of the fluid and to try harder on the food plan, but then I had company, and some of those other "good" reasons we give outselves to cheat, and I had been putting off the "day of reckoning". But I had to do it.
Then when I heard the good news, I let my daughter in law know, who is also trying, successfully I might add, to beat this body problem.
And she gave me alot of encouragement.
That's when I decided what this blog would be about today...encouragement.
That's what women need. And men too, of course.
But now that I am a widow and live alone, I don't hear those compliments and kind thoughtful things that my husband used to say to me.
My family compliments me, but it is not the same. I have to get used to that, though, because I know they mean it. I know they love me and are proud of me, of the stronger woman I have become.
I am just selfish enough to need wonderful, encouraging, bragging remarks from time to time. I need to know that someone is noticing my accomplishments. I need extra hugs. I need comments on something simple that I have done that really is not spectacular enough to make a big fuss over, but someone does anyway. That's what makes me feel loved and appreciated.
I miss this part of life. .. Not having comments from my husband. I am getting used to it but right now, when I am trying a whole new thing in my life, I need it badly. Isn't that crazy??? To be a grown woman, and still need that attention. But I guess that tells me that no matter what age we are, we need love and encouragement constantly.
Thank you for letting me learn to be stronger but thank you for the connection we all have with each other...the encouragement we all receive.

What's happening????

It has been awhile since I wrote anything and I have missed it.
There's not much happening here right now....have just been a little bit lazy.
My friend was here for a week with me and I think it fagged me out to go so much with her, but I HAD to show her everything I could during her visit.
Then I spent a week in my "other house" and that kept me busy and going every day. Had some shelves put into the closet and other things. That kind of stuff wears me out for no reason at all.
Then my Thomas got a scratch and it got infected and he had to go to the vet.
Lordy, Lordy, things just pile up, don't they?
Had my preacher and his wife over for dinner on Sunday and that was fun! I am going to miss them when they move away in august. They have become dear friends.
My friend had slipped and hurt her hip, so she was in the nursing home for a month or so and I was helping her as much as I could. Took her snacks and visited.
Then when she came home, cooked some meals and took them to her.
Thank goodness, she is getting better and is almost her old self again. She is 84 and is taking awhile to heal. But she is stubborn and tough and she will recover nicely.
Went to the dermotologist yesterday and had some skin tags removed. Man, did that hurt! Still feeling the pain some but it's better. The doctor said this is inherited. Sorry, kids. I don't like them either. But now I can honestly say it is not caused "by age". ha ha
Today I am packing some books, some dishes, and some Precious Moments to take to my "other place". Need to get myself thinking about that place becoming my home somewhere in the future and stop putting it off. When I mention this to friends here, tho, they don't like the idea of my thinking that way.
The "other town" is nice tho. And everyone is friendly and kind and very accepting of me. I would be happy there, I know, but it is just such a big decision. To leave this house that has so many memories and the feelings of love that dwells here from the past. But I know the Lord is going to see me thru this and give me strength and wisdom comcerning this. He always does.
So, here I go now. Leaving the comp to start packing some books. see you soon.

I'm A Winner!

I did it! I entered my first 5K yesterday and won third place in my age group! I did it!

Of course, 5K sounds so much longer and of the feeling of greater accomplishment than saying....3.2 miles.

But I did it!

I had a "co-walker" with me...a friend of the daughter....and he helped me and encouraged me. I really would have not finished if he had not been there. It is such a crazy thing. to be walking so hard and so fast as you can and look around and you are the last one in the group. and you think you are the last in the entire 230 that started the race. I wanted to quit because I was ashamed of being last...and then the friend told me that there are people behind me and in front of me that I can't see.

I also knew that if I quit, I would never hear the end of it from my kids and family. and I am just stubborn enough to not give up.

Guess that "stubborn" that I have always had finally paid off. that "stubbornness" that my husband always fussed at me about...but in the Bible, there is this story about the "persistent" woman going before the judge and her "persistance" won out. So I guess I am persistant instead of stubborn. ha ha.

It was kind of interesting. I used to walk four miles all the time when I lived in another town, but then I had knee operations, gained weight, and got older, and did not work out like I should and it all came down to my getting "partially, at least" back in shape.

I am on the way now! This race probably created a monster, as they say. I am encouraged to do more walking now and to learn to speed it up and grow stronger.

I did it! Such an accomplishment in my mind! At my age, to take on this aspect! Thank you, Lord, for bringing me to this place and for my health.