My Grandson

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



If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life from aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

--Emily Dickinson.

Meet Timothy, my grandson and my little genius. He is a walking encyclopedia of information. He loves to absorb general knowledge about anything and everything. No wonder I love him so much.

                                                    Playing soccer.

                                                  One of my fave pics.

Looking at him now, it's hard to imagine him as that little boy with missing front teeth. He was such a cute little guy and now he's such a grown young man. Where has the time gone? When did he grow so much? I shouldn't have blinked my eyes.

                                                             The young hockey player.

I've always wanted a grandchild that I would be able to connect with and develop a relationship. That is my Tim. We have such long conversations about movies, video games or even television series.  Do you know what is my most sacred memory with Tim? The time we worked on a puzzle together by my mom's. We weren't able to finish it before he went back to Springfield. I told him I would send him a picture when it was completed. Do you know what he said to me?

You mean, you're going to finish it without me?

Be still my heart. That teenager still wants to hang out with me!  Have a blessed day everyone. 

My Granddaughter

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


Oh, there are heavenly heights to reach
    In many a fearful place,
  Where the poor timid heir of God
    Lies blindly on his face;
  Lies languishing for grace divine
    That he shall never see
  Till he go forward at Thy sign,
    And trust himself to Thee.
A. L. WARING.

I remember the first time I met her. She was so tiny, only 2 1/2 yrs. old and so incredibly shy of my presence. She kept peeking at me from under her mother's arm. She was jumping up and down on the couch wearing her tights and a t-shirt. So cute and so tiny.

                                                                         Those beautiful blues!
I know of no one else who loves to spend time playing board games or cards as much as this little lady. She can go from hugs and kisses to an emotional meltdown in seconds flat, but I wouldn't change anything about her. She's real. She gives her all. She's Hannah. 

                                                                                 So little!

                                                                             That same pose years later!

                                                                                    Adorable.  

The best thing you can give this lovely young lady is your time. She loves to play card games, board games, sports or just plain baking cupcakes. She is ready to play anything anytime!    

                                                                       Our first vacation together.

                                                                   Eagerly waiting for the day to begin.

Have a Blessed day everyone. 

We're Waiting

                                                                 Everyday is a brand new day,
                                                                   everyday is a journey                                                               




When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
  The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
  For I will be with thee thy troubles to bless,
  And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

ANON.

I saw tiny little snowflakes this morning as I took my mom shopping. It was freezing cold, colder than it has been all month. I wasn't prepared for it, no hats or even gloves. My hands were cold and I couldn't wait to get back home. I like the comforts and warmth of my home during the cold weather. Burrowing. 

You see, I'm waiting for that first trekking snow. I'm waiting for that old wives tale I heard from a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend. Have you heard of that tale? Have I mentioned it to you? I'm sure I have, but let's have a refresher. We need to take stock of the first trekking snow's date. What date did it fall on? Was it the 10th? The 16th or perhaps, the 25th? Whatever date it does fall on marks how many snowfalls we will have this Winter. 

Last Winter, the first trekking snow fell on December 4, 2016. We did have a very mild Winter with barely any snow at all. Perhaps only 4 days worth? So my friend of a friend of a friend of a friend swears by this old wives tale. So we're waiting. We're watching. We're taking note of just how much is coming down and if it's sticking. Let's put it to a test and see if it really works or not. 

Why does it matter, you ask? Well, for one, we want to be prepared not only mentally, but also physically. If it's a heavy Winter full of snow or the bitter cold of below zero, one prepares for it. We stock up on warm clothing, medicine and even our pantries. In a way, I kind of miss the days of snow like we used to have. Nowadays, the weather is so fickle. One day it's sunny and in upper fifties. The next day, it drops to 12. That kind of temperatures really make people sick. Winter should be Winter. Spring should be Spring and so on and so on. 

I like my four Seasons and wish they would right themselves up and behave. I need them. Right now, back to burrowing. 

Have a Blessed day everyone. 

Precious Is The Time

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


Yes, to this thought I hold with firm persistence--

The last result of wisdom stamps it true:

He only earns his freedom and existence

Who daily conquers them anew.

--Goethe.

I have been asked, many times, how I'm able to fit all of my activities in the small time frame available to me. Well, honestly, I can't. I have no idea where everyone is thinking that I can. I've have struggled with time for as long as I can remember.

Working on second shift, all I have is the morning. That's barely any time to do anything. By the time we have breakfast, shower and clean up daily chores, it's time to go to work. For a long time, I felt as a failure, because I couldn't organize all of my activities accordingly. You see, I believed it was all in organization. Well, I was wrong. The problem was  and still is, that I love busyness. I see something that interests me or I would like to do, I sign myself up regardless if I have the time or not.

Besides my Crocheting Ministry and my blog, I am into scripture journaling, several bible studies, Women Groups and any activities involving speakers/lecturers. I listen to various preachers via on-line podcasts. I love, love activities such as these. My girlfriend even introduced me to adult coloring books which I find extremely relaxing as I listen to these podcasts. I also love documentaries, reading and murder mysteries. 

Nowadays, I have changed my outlook in regards to all of these activities. Take this week alone. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings were taken up with either an appointment or a chore outside the apartment. I didn't
have time to really indulge myself in any of the above activities. I might have had time to check some e-mails and maybe post my daily blog, but that's all. 

Now, I know you're wondering how did you have time to write that blog post. Well, when I do get a chance to write, I write several posts at one time. When the writing muse kicks in, I take advantage of it. The point here is that time is precious to me. I want to indulge in every minute of it. Life is meant to be lived, so get to it.

Have a Blessed day everyone. 

Giving It All Up

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


By Thine unerring Spirit led,
We shall not in the desert stray;
We shall not full direction need,
Nor miss our providential way;
As far from danger as from fear,
While love, almighty love, is near.
CHARLES WESLEY.

I've been tired all week. I gave up coffee and with the Daylight Savings change, it seems I've been dragging my feet. Whenever that happens, the last thing I want to do is focus all my lack of energy on the everyday life outside of me. 

I may have gotten up early this morning to do laundry, but my mind wasn't willing to deal with anything else. I wanted to spend a morning within, perhaps watching a Netflix movie relaxing in my chair before work, but God had other ideas. 

You see, we are not here for ourselves. We would like to think that, but we are here to serve. There are people in need whom we can help by a single act. It's not just about giving in Church when the offering basket goes around. It's not just about giving that dollar to that homeless person on the street corner holding a "help me" sign. It's not just about crocheting a blanket for a charity. It is so much more. It is doing more. 

We have so much more than others. It's time to make sure that they have more, too. Below is a link available to a charitable organization in which a simple act of buying a book can help others in need. 

To raise awareness about premature birth and the benefit of reading from the start, we're giving away $50 in free books every Friday this month! To enter the drawing, all you do is post a photo of someone (you, your child, your student) reading or being read to and use the hashtag #ReadOutLoud, then challenge a friend to do the same! We want to fill everyone's feeds with sweet moments of bonding and growing over a book.
Our fundraiser will provide tens of thousands of books to NICU babies and their families, military babies, and other families who are experiencing hardship or illness along with having a newborn baby. You are welcome to share the YouCaring link so people can donate, and/or our shopping link so they can make an impact by getting books for their own kids instead of donating money

#ReadOutLoud

Donate here:https://www.youcaring.com/marchofdimes-1003462?utm_campaign=buttonshare&utm_medium=url&utm_source=copy&utm_content=cf_cp_01
OR Shop for the cause: http://l6308.myubam.com/849331
I challenge Jessica Smith!
What do you think? Will you help me? :)

Click here to support March of Dimes Book Drive by the Read Out Loud Team!

The Read Out Loud Team is providing brand new books to families of premature babies through programs with the March of Dimes Give Them Tomorrow Campaign! Your donation is matched at 50% by Usborne Books & More! We are proud to be donating the commission from this book drive to the March of Dimes,...

youcaring.com

YouTube Life

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



Why shouldst them fill to-day with sorrow
About to-morrow,
My heart?
One watches all with care most true,
Doubt not that He will give thee too
Thy part.
PAUL FLEMMING.

I have become a YouTube junkie and not because I'm hooked, line and sinker in love with it. I have been on a personal quest, yes quest, to find something on RV living. Unfortunately, there's not much out there pertaining to what I'm looking for. 

Don't get me wrong, there are plenty out there, but they all are about travelling in your RV. That's all they do. They post video after video of scenic views of various locations, but very few of what living in a Rv is truly like. That's what I want to see, the trials and tribulations of living permanently. Plus, how did they solve their problems that they encountered living this lifestyle.

Honestly, I've been extremely disappointed. As I've watched one video after another. I thought of what an idle existence these people live. Don't get me wrong, not all of them. Some of them are true homesteaders who have created an off grid existence that is very hard. It takes a lot of work to maintain that type of life. I admire these folks.

Yet, there are the ones that all they do is drive around in their vehicles showing various parks or sitting in their vehicles talking about their day. These same people have what they call patrons who send them money to support their lifestyle. That's ridiculous! I could see if they were artists and their work was being showcased, but these people do nothing, but post vlogs about going to the laundry or sitting in a chair outside their camper van.Talk about taking advantage of others generosity. In fact, they all even steal each others post titles. If one does a vblog on their cost of living in a camper, they all do the same. Or showering or cooking. Lord, could they be original?

You know what really ticked me off about these videos? The fact that they expect others to pay their way so they can live this lifestyle. If you choose to live like this, you're the one who better be able to pay for it. I certainly don't expect people to send me money just because they are reading my blog. That's ridiculous. This is pure taking advantage of honest people. If you can't afford something, you need to get a real job and not expect others to do so for you. I'm sorry for that rant, but I had to say it.

I eventually did find a few that I could follow and subscribe to and none of them had patrons. They offered their experience to others without cost or thoughts of fame. I'm ranting again, sorry. I am looking forward to seeing their vblogs and hoping to gain some knowledgeable facts in regards to tiny living. 

Have a Blessed day everyone. 

The Secular World

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



How joyed my heart in the rich melodies
That overhead and round me did arise!
The moving leaves--the water's gentle flow--
Delicious music hung on every bough.
Then said I in my heart, "If that the Lord
Such lively music on the earth accord;
If to weak, sinful man such sounds are given,O! 
what must be the melody of heaven!"

--Izaak Walton.

It's so easy to be swayed by the secular world temptations. We all want to belong, but at what cost? A severe one, for sure. No thanks, not for me. I'd rather be alone. I've never been much of a follower, always knowing my own mind.

Now it's easy to be a follower of Christ when we are safely within the sanctuary of our homes, but the minute we enter the world outside, things become difficult. The real struggle begins. The entire atmosphere changes in the waiting lines and on the roads. Our work lives are explosive enough with secularism. 

It is common knowledge on this blog just how much I struggle in this area. I try, truly try, to make this work, but it never lasts long.  There are way too many people at work and avoiding them is not possible. We have to learn to work together. Sometimes we do that pretty well and other times, I just want to run home as quick as possible with retirement papers filed!

Then there is the outer secular world of politics, television, social media and the everyday people we encounter. Sigh. Where do we start? As a Christian, I feel as if I have to literally put on my Armor of God before I encounter anything secular. Times have certainly changed in that department. I feel attacked for my belief system just because the Christian label is attached to my lapel. They know nothing of me. I haven't even brought up any of these issues and I'm attacked for hating on others. 

They accuse me of hate, yet they're doing the very thing to me. Nowadays, it isn't cool to be a Christian let alone a Republican. I stopped watching television or reading newspaper. There is so much negativity out there from the media that impartiality doesn't exist any longer. 

The only thing that keeps me going is that I know how it all will end. I believe in Our Holy God and I believe He will make things right here on Earth. Everything I see out there, I consider it all biblical. I'm so disappointed in Mankind and I'm sure so is God. 

Have a Blessed day everyone.