So I Have Been Sick!

 

                                Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

 Make me patient, kind, and gentle,

    Day by day;
  Teach me how to live more nearly
    As I pray.
SHARPE'S MAGAZINE.

If you have been following me, you know very well that I have begun a new career adventure in the field of Assisted Living/Independent/Rehab Facility with our seniors. Since the covid19 epidemic, we have been tested twice a week for the virus. The test itself consists of either a throat swab or a nose swab. I have been taking the throat, because it is a lot easier and not as awkward/uncomfortable. 

It was during one of these regular covid19 swabs that I tested positive. I did have a sinus congestion and a headache, but thought nothing of it. Every time I went through the test, I would have a similar reaction for the remainder of the day. I also had a flu shot at the same time so I just thought these minor symptoms were all connected. 

Of course, I was immediately sent home for the next ten days with full pay, by the way. I put that in, because everyone wanted to know. I don't think it was being nosey or too personal. I believe this virus has affected many people and will continue to do so. People are just wondering if this is something that companies will be adding, because of the pandemic. By us, one has to be a full time associate to receive pay.

My symptoms were pretty mild compared to others who have been hospitalized. I never had a fever of any kind. I did experience a sinus congestion with a headache, a minor sore throat for a few days, metal mouth nausea and incredible fatigue. It totally reminded me of my chemo days, especially the metal mouth which affected my taste buds making everything taste horrible. 

. I think this covid flu takes some time before we can say we are completely recovered. We may not be contagious, but the side effects still can be found. I have been back at work a couple of weeks already and I still get an occasional cough here and there. I should also add shortness of breath which I still seem to experience when exerting myself.

Again, I am fine now. There is a silver lining in this: I don't have to test for at least 90. I have no idea where I caught this or how or when. I am just grateful it was a mild case. It could have been a lot worse. Please stay safe out there and take care of yourself. 

Have a blessed day everyone.

The Year Of Discord

 

                           Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

For all sweet and pleasant passages

 in the great story of life men may 

well thank God;

for leisure and ease and health and

 friendship may God make us truly 

and humbly grateful;

but our chief song of thanksgiving

 must be always for our kinship with him, 

with all that such divinity of

 greatness brings of peril, hardship,

 toil, and sacrifice.

—Hamilton Mabie.

I think it's safe to say that this year has been full of havoc and discord. We as a society have been faced with uncertainty all around us. The way we shop, interact with one another and even work has changed. It's no wonder that people feel misplaced and anxious about where we are heading. 

So many of my friends are faced with so many new challenges as a new decade is ahead of us. Changes don't scare me as much as they did in the past. I guess, I have realized that perhaps change isn't as bad as we may think. I have learned to pick the fights that I want to address and which ones to discard. The rest? Well, things have a way of working themselves out.

The world is spinning way too fast and our young people have nowhere to grab hold. Or someone. My faith has sustained me through a lot in my life, but that is not the case for many out there. Our world is filled with people who are searching for things to fill their life with instead of God. Many have no idea of even the basic bible stories that most of us have grown up on. 

Somewhere along the way, our faith was not taught to the next generation or they just felt no need to listen. That has always been the case when life is way too good. We never need God when our cup is full and life is lovely. When do we fall on our knees in prayer? When we hurt, when we ache and cannot take another step for fear of collapsing in defeat. We seem to remember who God is at that stage of our despair.

This year has been one of despair. Many have come to the throne room to kneel by the feet of Christ. Many have also seem fit to blame Him for their despair. There has always been a choice. Right or wrong. Heaven or hell. Yes or no. Life is full of choices and consequences. When we fail, we can only blame ourselves. Which way do you want to go? Have you made that choice of whom you will follow? Today is the day where we take a leap of faith and allow God into our life so He can work in us for us. Today is that day.

Have a blessed day everyone.

 

Living Among Beauty

 

                              Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

The little worries which we meet each day

  May lie as stumbling-blocks across our way,
  Or we may make them stepping-stones to be
    Of grace, O Lord, to Thee.
A. E. HAMILITON.

When we decided to move to Central Illinois, we never imagined how much we would feel right at home. We often felt as if we have lived here all of our lives. Being at home with the beauty of your surroundings has taken on a new meaning for us. I am always amazed at each new day that brings even more beauty than the night before. God has certainly created a magnificent world. One that we need to definitely appreciate a bit more.

I feel so fortunate to be able to live near my family. Not many people have the opportunity to do so. I often think of my grandmother Bernice who was separated from her family for the majority of their lives. An entire ocean separated us from each other with them living in Poland and we lived in the United States. 

Nowadays, with technology being what it is, it may not seem such an ordeal. It wasn't always so. Poland became a free Country in the mid 80's, not that long ago. Before that, one had to make arrangements for a phone call weeks prior by obtaining permission first. Living in a free Country is a privilege. Many people nowadays have no idea how extremely lucky they are to be able to do so.

So I often think of my grandmother Bernice and how badly her heart must have ached to have us all near her. Life is hard enough without having to live it alone.

I took a mini a walk the other day as I dropped off my car for an oil change. Fall is such a beautiful time, isn't it? I couldn't help, but snap some pictures to share with all of you.

I think we become so engrossed in our lives that we forget to notice the beauty around us. That is why we are so stressed as a nation, as a people.

Take a moment today to step outside  and admire the handiwork  of our Creator.

Can you see the beauty? 

Can you feel the appreciation of being allowed to live amidst His Creation?

Bask in His love, this beauty He has created for our pleasure. Have a blessed day everyone.

We Lived Life

 

                          Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

Save us from the evil tongue,

 From the heart that thinketh wrong,

  From the sins, whate'er they be,
  That divide the soul from Thee.
ANON.

Well, time has certainly flown by since I last penned a blog. We moved. We settled in. We lived life. The world kept spinning no matter what we were doing. Time waits for no man, isn't that how the saying goes?

It has been a busy time in our family. Both the grandkids graduated, one from 8th into High School. The other went off to Air National Guard becoming a man overnight.

For the first time in a very long time, we were able to participate in activities together like the Ladies Paint Night. This was something I have not done before, but hope to enjoy of more in the future. 

Here is my finished piece.

One of the best things that has changed in our life is the ability to be together whenever we want and however long we may want to be. I can drop by my son's home anytime I need to borrow a cup of sugar or a couple of eggs. We have been apart far too long. 

I love where we are at in our life. Things can change suddenly without warning so we need to be grateful for what we have. For now, we are enjoying every bit of it. We are living life.

Have a blessed day everyone.

Yarn Bombing My Life

                            Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.



Some murmur if their sky is clear,
And wholly bright to view,
If one small speck of dark appear
In their great heaven of blue:
And some with thankful love are filled,
If but one streak of light,
One ray of God's good mercy, gild
The darkness of their night.
R. C. TRENCH.

For the past several years, actually since 2013, I have made several crocheted items for others. Many, many things went from these hands to another, but I never really made things for myself. The longer I spend my time crocheting, the more I love what I do. So how come our home is not covered with crochet items?

The world of YouTube has definitely changed my life. They have opened my eyes to the crafter side to things I never could imagine. Who knew about diamond painting or Tunisian crocheting? Or looming? Or spinning? Or just junk journaling? I want to do it all!

When I watch these different channels, I have noticed they share a common thread. They craft bomb their homes. Whatever their craft may be it reflects in all of their surroundings as they display their work.

For me it's all about the yarn. I love all the different colors, textures and types. To me, yarn is beautiful and not just because of what it can create. Yarn is also my therapy. My happy place. My mental refresher. My joy.

If yarn means so much to me, why am I not expressing my joy outwardly? Why is my home so bare of any crochet items? Well, that will change. I have been home for the past three months enjoying myself immensely. I have made so many things that I only dreamt of in my mind. You know that saying , one day when I have some time , I will . .. .only one day really never comes. Again, that is changing. 

I am at the age where the simple things in life matter more to me than that paycheck or that status at work. What keeps you sane? What drives you passions? What brings you joy? More importantly, what are you doing about it? Living well life is very important. Don't you think it's time to find out what really matters in your life? Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

Have a blessed day everyone. 

The Move

                     Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey


Quench thou the fires of hate and strife,
    The wasting fever of the heart;
  From perils guard our feeble life,
    And to our souls Thy peace impart.
J. H. NEWMAN, Tr. from Latin

Now that we are pretty settled in, we have contemplated the overall of our move. How did it go? Were there any mishaps? What would we have done differently? So here are the pros and cons of how it really went down.

So we were able to pack while we waited for the move to happen. Since we timed it for six weeks ahead, we had plenty of time. There were a few snags like the fact that we were still working until the last day and doing extra hours/overtime. Yeah, we were burning that candle at both ends!

The other thing, you sort of live in a mess. We ended up using half the room as storage for things we were taking and the other to live in. That's how it usually is done, right? Well, we had like three separate piles: What we were taking, what we were throwing out and what we were donating. Even a bigger mess!

The only consolation in all of this was the help. My nephew Logan came by to load the truck with Emily. I barely lifted a finger this time around. I was on the truck sort of stacking things . . . sort of. 

The move consisted of a well planned execution with everyone doing their appointed task. My nephew-in-law Tom, picked up the rental truck and had it delivered to the apartment for us. Logan and Emily loaded it up. While all of that was happening, Joe and Aubs. held their Church service in Decatur, driving to Chicago afterwards. 

Upon arriving, more loading into the smaller vehicles and everyone started their engines. Joe in the rental truck, Aubs. in her SUV and we ended up in our own HHR with a nonstop meowing cat. A very unhappy, clawing cat. 

We arrived late in the evening, ate supper and went to bed exhausted. In the morning. we finally got our keys and unloaded the truck. I should say that Emily and Joe unloaded the truck. I supervised.

You know, none of this would have gone smoothly had we not had help from everyone. There are always hiccups here and there like my throwing out the much needed catnip by mistake. The ride would have been a lot less stressful had I not done so. It was over three hours!

It was also wonderful to have someone here to direct us on things like utilities. We sort of imagine that everything stays the same but that is not true. What company you may have had in the city does not facilitate here. 

Overall, the move was way better than any we have had up to now. Things went much smoother and faster, but we were also very prepared. I  think we become better with every move by learning what worked and what didn't. We take the mistakes and turn them into successes for the next move. Hopefully not anytime soon.

Have a blessed day everyone. 

More Family Photos

                                                Everyday is a brand new day,
                                                everyday is a journey.


Our chief want in life is somebody
 who shall make us do what we can:
 this is the service of a friend.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson

The above photo is courtesy of my good friend Cindy Alvarado of her country land of Ecuador. 

Hello everyone! Today I wanted to share with you some of my favorite pictures of my inner little family. These are my loves, my heart and my life. I think we love to take pictures of all the highlights of our life. We display these pictures on our walls, inside albums and on our desks, but how often do we really look at them? Pictures reveal so much about that moment. What were they thinking? What was the most innermost feeling when that picture was taken? We can only guess or perhaps we were in on that little secret. 

Remember to sit down once in awhile and flip through these moments in our life that brought us so much Joy. 

Have a blessed day everyone. 

Lunch With A View

                                           Everyday is a brand new day, 
                                         everyday is a journey.





O Lord my God, do Thou Thy holy will,--
I will lie still.
I will not stir, lest I forsake Thine arm,
And break the charm
Which lulls me, clinging to my Father's breast,
In perfect rest.
J. KEBLE.

The one thing I truly miss about my last job happen to be my friends. When you work in a place for almost 25 years, one develops friendships. Of course, majority are your co-workers and you care what happens to them. There are a few that become your close buddies and you share so much of your life with them that it's only normal to miss them when you leave. 

I had two such close buddies. Both of them shared and played a huge role in my life. One I shared my role as a mother of adult children, a life well lived and just a conversation about world events according to two mature women. The other was much younger and we sat every single day eating lunch together. We sat in the old lunchroom which looked out into a park next door.

I can remember even now the thoughts that entered my mind as I looked out into that park. I felt envy as I watched the people cycling, walking or just plain sitting on the benches. I wanted to be part of enjoying the relaxation of being in Nature. I thought that the day would never arrive for me to be on the other side of that view. 

That parking lot next to the park held one of the most beautiful sunrises I have seen and no one noticed as we existed the building. I found that to be so sad. I didn't want to miss the sunrise in my life. I wanted to be part of it.

It's very amusing to me now when I reflect on that picturesque park. I used to think it was the most beautiful place and it was, still is. The most beautiful for where I was at during that point in my life. Living here, I have realized that there are many beautiful places, each even more spectacular than the last. I want to see them all.

I will never forget my time there and it will hold a s very special place in my heart. 

Have a blessed day everyone. 

A Respect For Nature

                 Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.



Enough that He who made can fill the soul
    Here and hereafter till its deeps o'erflow;
  Enough that love and tenderness control
    Our fate where'er in joy or doubt we go.
ANON.

Since moving here, I have developed a deep respect for Nature. The weather, in particular, happens to be a lot more wild. That can be a scary thing for some of us who don't care for thunder storms and tornado weather. Not that anyone would like tornado weather!

I have always loved a good storm. I love a downpouring of torrential rain. I love watching it through the window and I love the lazy afternoon it evokes. A good book or movie usually followed with a hot steaming bowl of soup, preferably wearing your PJ's. 

When we moved here, I felt excitement at having a picturesque view outside my window so I could admire that snowfall or storm when they occurred. The very first major storm changed my view of Nature to one of respect. Yes, respect.

The picture below is of our very first tornado with sirens going off. It was spotted near a place where we were at a few hours previously. A little freaky for a city person such as myself. Also, a wake up call. 

Just how prepared are we when the sirens go off and we have to take shelter until the all clear? For one, we might have a place to take shelter in, but it wasn't very comfortable. Emily and I literally crawled out of the Harry Potter under the stair closet on our knees. We were so cramped in there and extremely uncomfortable for a good 30 minutes! Plus, there was so much stuff in there, it was almost impossible to move around in let alone share it with a cat. A cat who wanted no part of this take shelter procedure.

That first experience, well, it really taught us a lesson. First thing we did was clean it out. If this was to be our safest shelter, we could at least make it comfortable and clutter safe. Why choose it? We live in a townhouse and the stair structure is shared with the residence next door. Pretty solid, I think.  Besides, we also use the Harry Potter under the stairs closet as a pantry. I mean, it doesn't hurt to have snacks near by when we're in there sheltering from the storm. 

Do you have a storm shelter or safety plan ready for that emergency that can happen? Or are you the same as we were before moving here, sort of oblivious to the dangers? Every State has their own nature danger. It certainly doesn't have to be tornadoes. It could be floods, fire or typhoons. It's all about preparing for the dangers around you.

Have a blessed day everyone. 

Day By Day

                           Everyday is a brand new day,
                           everyday is a journey.


He who God's will has borne and done,
    And his own restless longings stilled,
  What else he does, or has foregone,
    His mission he has well fulfilled.
FROM THE GERMAN



I sat at my desk, staring out at the courtyard in front of our home. I love having a window view once again. Every morning, I see the Sun come up bringing a new day, a new beginning. This morning, the skies were clouded over as if they would burst with rain any minute. 

On days like these, one never really sees anything scurrying on the lawn or pavement. It's as if they know what's coming and they lay perfectly still in anticipation. No movement, just the sway of the tree branches. Then it happens and huge droplets pour down as the heaven's open. 

Emily has always referred to it as a baptism, wiping away all the debris and bringing life back. The shrubs and flowers always stand up tall right afterwards looking refreshed once receiving the living water. We all could use a bit of living water. Are you thirsty?

I love nature. I love a good thunder storm or a heavy snowfall. I appreciate the changing of the Seasons and the weather that comes with it. Could I live in a one climate zone? I'm not sure. Right now, Summer is almost over and as much as I enjoyed it, I am looking forward to Fall. 

These past two months have been so refreshing to my soul. I find myself in deep reflection on my life. I have also learned so much about myself and the things I would like to change. It's not easy to look in the mirror and it's even more difficult to accept what one sees reflected back.

Even though I may have been bold in my sudden move here, I still deal with fear. Fear of failure. Fear of not making it financially. Fear has been a huge stumbling block in my life. I have been taking my time in the next steps of living here. I am rather enjoying the nature part of living here and am always amazed at God's beauty all around me. Now back to my view.

Have a blessed day everyone.

The Ministry At Work

                           Everyday is a brand new day,
                           everyday is a journey.




Let love through all my conduct shine,
  An image fair, though faint, of Thine;
  Thus let me His disciple prove,
  Who came to manifest Thy love.
Simon Browne.

I am having so much fun with the Ministry! I feel energized, excited and refreshed whenever I start crocheting for others. I love what I do! Period. I have been so blessed with donations of yarn and it has been a great feeling to know the coffers are filled to the brim. That used to bring me so much anxiety, the uncertainty to provide every month.

Running a Ministry is so much work. People forget just how much one puts into it and basically they assume the wrong things. 

1. Someone has to find the yarn for them to use.
2. Someone has to arrange gatherings where the yarn can be distributed and finished items picked up.
3. Someone has to wash all the finished pieces and fold them.
4. Someone has to find a home for the finished pieces. 
5. Someone has to package up the finished items.
6. Someone has to mail them out.  

Yet, I love every minute of it. I wish I could do this full time.

In August, we will be celebrating seven years. During that time, there have been many changes to the Ministry, some good and some not. Once again, we are left with a whole new start in a new area. An area we are not very familiar and the biggest change of all, we are a Ministry of one! 

The Ministry will go on for as long as God allows it. He has been providing for our needs all these years. A change of scenery really doesn't alter anything, but the address. I am ready to see what this 7th. year will bring and all the things the Ministry will do for others in our communities. For all those who have helped support this Ministry with donations of yarn . . . .thank you. 

Have a blessed day evertyone. 

It's Pretty Rough Out There

                          Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.


We would fill the hours with the sweetest things,
If we had but a day:
We should drink alone at the purest springs,
In our upward way:
We should guide our wayward or wearied will,
By the clearest light:
We should keep our eyes on the heavenly hills,
If they lay in sight:
We should be from our clamorous selves set free,
To work and pray:
And be what the Father would have us to be,
If we had but a day.

—Margaret E. Sangster

Well, it's been pretty much a rough day, rough week, rough everything! I limped up the stairs to our place, my soles burning. When was the last time I felt like that? Ooh, many eons ago, back in the old days when my shift lasted 12 hours/ 6 days a week. 

I think I am just way too old to be working these kind of hours. The heart is willing, but the body is another thing! I will always participate and take full advantage whenever a golden opportunity to make more money towards my future goals. Having said all that, I am glad when they are over, lol. 

Sometimes I think the world is just plain getting meaner. The patience of men has worn thin and people don't want to wait for anything anymore. If there is a line with two people, tension fills the air. We want satisfaction right now.

You're probably wondering what all of the above is about, but you see, it has been written a few weeks before we moved. Honestly, the time does not even matter, because I could be describing this week. Life has become a lot tougher out there. Hatred. Meanness. Bigotry and racism run rampart. People react with vandalism and burning of Old Glory. More now than ever, people need something or someone and His name is Jesus. 

Oh, I could just see all the eyes rolling! What do you think it will take to change the hearts of men? Politicians? A new President? New Laws?

I am 55 years old and the same issues that politicians are advocating now, they have done ever since I was young. Your life will only change for the better when you follow the one capable  of doing so. If you haven't asked Him into your heart, do so today. You won't regret it. 

Have a blessed day everyone.