A Writing Fest

Writing has become my other outlet, crocheting being my first. The longer I go without it, the more stressed I become. I had such plans last Saturday for my writing. I had the whole day reserved to lock myself in my room and write.

Of course, that didn't happen. As usual, life seems to interfere. I often think that the only time I ever will have unlimited writing and crocheting time will be in Heaven. I could actually picture myself doing that.

Lately, it seems there is a writer's block of sorts following me around. Every time I sit down to let loose the words, BAM, a call comes or no internet connection. Even  my beautiful window holds no view. With all this humidity, the sun has been pouring it's rays right through my picturesque window. I had to close the shutters until further notice.

I often wish I had a tape recorder ( a modern version, of course) where I could leave all my brilliant ideas whenever they appeared. It's hard to pen something down when you're driving. I can remember many a times where I actually wrote a story in my head as I was driving to work. The bad thing is, when it came time to actually write it, it quite never came out the same way. It just wasn't as good as that first time.

I have seen interviews of authors, where they set aside a certain time for writing. At that appointed time, they close the door and shut the outside world out. Even if they don't write anything, they still sit there until the time runs out.

Maybe, I can do that when I live alone, but at this time, it's not possible. Even Emily has been getting up with the birds and wanders into my room right at my set time to chat  while she drinks her breakfast smoothie or combs her hair.

My children are first, I will not ever tell them to get out so I can write. Didn't I say I wanted to make memories? I should add that I wanted to make good memories, not just any kind.

We all learn to adjust as we age. Take this morning. I thought I would get up early, make my coffee and sit down to write a story or two before I left for my mom's. I like to visit my mom before work since she lives a mere 10-15 minutes from my job. Instead, there was a voice message from one of my ministry ladies asking for more supplies.

So, of course, where do you think I'm heading out to now? Have a blessed and cool day everyone.

Throwback Thursday

It's funny how the small things in life makes one feel loved and appreciated. The simple things we do for one another mean more than any grandeur action. To this day, I can remember and cherish all the thoughtful things that everyone has done for me. If I remember one thing about that time many years ago is that I have never felt more loved by people than I did then. That is a feeling that should be felt by everyone every single day.

True Friends

   Today , I had a lesson in true friends . While I was making copies for Sunday School , my friends kept showing up to wish me a Happy New Year . I love these women . They are ever present in my life . We have shared our children , our stories , our tears . Many a Women's Group lesson that was put away while we shared our problems with one another . These women would do anything for me at the drop of a hat .
  I haven't been around these past two or three weeks to my group . Haven't been feeling well at all .
They've been reading my blog and leaving messages on my phone . Today , one offered to shave her head so I wouldn't feel alone in this . Another , reads my blog everyday and prays according to what my needs are that particular day .
   We have communion once a month and that is one thing I miss while I'm downstairs with the children . That special time taking communion . Right before communion today , one of my friends came down  and offered to take my place while I go upstairs to partake .
  Let's not forget the friend who always sends beautiful  and sometimes hilarious emails to cheer me up . All of these women   mentor my girl . Are there for her as  role models and I know will be there for her when I'm gone .
  All I have to say is I need prayers  and a ricochet effect goes into place . These women are my livelihood . They are my rocks . You know who you are . Know that I love you  and appreciate everything you do for me .

Have a blessed day everyone.

Peace & Hope

 

Of all the things in life I have wished for, one has been peace. Yet, I find it is one of the hardest to attain. Whenever I have felt at peace, things or someone always want to wreck it. Why is that? Why are people so intent on being miserable and making sure that everyone else is too?

 

 

I have friends who are absolutely great at maintaining their peace. They see the positive in everything, even those that try to wreck it. They can turn any bad situation into a good one. How do they do that? I've always wanted to grow spiritually in Peace like them.

I have learned that peace is something we have to constantly work towards. It never ends, it never rests. It is work that should continue until we leave this Earth. There are times where I feel I'm on the right track, that's when the devil usually comes in and tries to ruin any progress I have made .

I struggle with this constantly, especially at work. I believe we all have something that brings us to that level, that very state where we crumble all our resolve and our peace is threatened. My place is my workplace. Where is yours?

Hope. . . . Thank goodness that God offers Hope. If I didn't have Him or the Hope of what could be . . . . well, I don't even want to go there. God has been with me from day One and I hope he never leaves me.

 I think we all could use a reminder. Have a blessed day everyone.

A Tiny House

If I should be so blessed to live a long life or see both my children settled, I have been thinking about living in a tiny house. Having mentioned this to Emily, she just laughs and laughs her little heart out.

Where are you going to put all that yarn at? The books and all these supplies? You know you're a hoarder.

Yes, I'll admit I'm a hoarder now, but my desire to continue with my Ministry and Writing is stronger than my hoarding. I want to live a simple life. I have no desire to keep acquiring space that I have no use for.

I have been checking out different styles that could be more accommodating to my needs. I admit, I would have to get rid of many of my belongings and only live off the basics. I know I could survive on 4 plates, 4 spoons, a frying pan, a crockpot etc.

I could plant this little sucker in a camp site where the scenery would be delightful every day of the year, except for summer when many campers converged. The upkeep would be the best for someone like me. My utilities would be quite small, there might be a problem with internet connection, but workable. Water and bathroom connections would also be available at the camp site.

I think I could make it work.

I do worry about storage since I really like buying in bulk like toilet paper, trash bags, and detergent. I also worry about the stairs leading to the loft. They really would need to have a good handrail.
Otherwise, the thought of spending my time doing the things I love instead of cleaning and maintaining an apartment.

Another problem would be laundry. I would have to make frequent surprise visits to Joe and Emily's houses bringing laundry like a college student.

Just think how much the grandkids would love it. I would be the greatest grandma in the world! Family and friends can visit, but can't spend the night. How wonderful. Yes, definitely  and seriously thinking about a Tiny house.

Have a Blessed day everyone.

Monday's Yoga

As you can remember, I have been doing my exercise tapes from Netflix. It will be a very long time before I'm done, but anyone who knows me knows how much I dislike working out. So when the yoga tape came in, I groaned out loud. The idea of getting down on the floor, kneeling and such, was too much for me with my leg pain.

I went one time with my niece Kathy, who is an avid yoga master, to a free class that was offered at a place where she goes to regularly. In fact, her daughter and husband came along as well. None of us have returned since then.

Don't get me wrong. Yoga is a great stretching exercise, but for me it is painful. I'm sure if I kept at it, I would become very loose and maybe the pain would go away. In the meantime, all these positions where one has to have agility to quickly drop to the floor, kneel and perform these stretches are too much for me.

Yet, I did the entire DVD, groaning and grunting loudly with each movement. As one stretches, you can feel that muscle being pulled to the max from one point to the next. Very powerful and quite honestly, when all was said and done, felt good.

So I've come to the conclusion that it's all me. I'm too lazy to work out. I'd rather diet than work out. Yet, we know we need to do both. Of all the different types of exercise programs (and I've done many)this yoga thing is probably the best fit for me. So all I need to do is get myself into it mentally.

Whenever we don't like something, our mind immediately shuts down and we want nothing to do with it. Instead, we make excuses as to why we cannot accomplish this impossible feat. I feel like that with exercise. To me it's just drudgery! I have no motivation to get going and actually continue with it daily.

Deep down inside, I know I could greatly benefit from a daily routine of stretching. Now if I could get some motivation going. . . .

Have a Blessed day everyone.

A Heavy Heart

I can remember once before in my life where I went to an event with mixed feelings. That was a funeral of an in-law family member. I sat there and honestly racked my brain trying to remember one good moment with this person that I have spent.

I couldn't think of one. The last time I spent with her she was in a foul mood as always complaining about others. And then she was gone.

Have you ever been invited to such an event where your feelings felt constricted? Perhaps an union that wouldn't last? A funeral of someone who was mean?

It's just a Wedding Shower for two people that will be wed soon. Only The bride-to-be gave up Jesus to be with her groom. She became a Moslem.

I have watched this young girl grow up into  a woman. I have seen her at birthday parties and related gatherings. I have seen her dating young men whom looked like they could be the one. I definitely did not see this coming.

So I sat there wanting to wish this beautiful young woman the very best and I couldn't even say the words. How can it be great with no Jesus in it? I've always had God in my life and couldn't even image life without Him in it.

My heart is so heavy and there is nothing I can do, but pray.

Have a Blessed day everyone.

I'm Hanging And Banging

A group of my fellow co-workers and I have this great saying whenever asked how we are doing:
I'm hanging and banging! It always puts a smile on my face.

Today, Emily and I are doing exactly that. Hanging around the apartment in our comfy clothes, each in her own territory and busy doing her own thing. Today, we're just hanging and banging.

Summer around here has been very humid and we haven't been able to really enjoy it. July is almost over and I rarely sat in front of my favorite desk enjoying the view. There really hasn't been one. Everyone basically has the same idea as us, staying indoors with the air on. If it isn't humid, then it's pouring rain. What a summer, I tell you.

It seems that we have had such busy schedules of late on the weekends( tomorrow another wedding shower) that our quiet family time  has been nonexistent. Sometimes, we just want to relax with no agenda in sight.

So today we ordered in some food(not quite healthy) and plan on watching the show about nothing(Seinfeld). We're staying in, just relaxing in each other's company de-stressing. Hope you do, too.

Have a Blessed day everyone.