Here, There, Not Everywhere....

So, I was going to change the background here.  But, I thought...oh, well...winter will be coming soon.  Maybe when I have a little time, I'll switch to a fall scene.

As for now, the background is the same.

Me...I am the same, yet not the same.  Still living with Cara, Ryan and Lydia.  There are ups, downs and in-betweens, but all and all, a good situation.

I help them, they help me, and well....what can I say...my Lydia creates so much laughter and joy in my life!!

I've had some health issues this summer....a swelling in my neck that comes and goes.  After numerous tests and a biopsy, it was found that I have multiple nodules on my thyroid.  The biopsy of these was, oh, so thankfully, benign!!

But, the swelling is what is known as a thyroglossal cyst...apparently something that developed when I was just an embryo. 

It is now to the point that I have the swelling and pain almost every other week.  The solution for this problem is, of course, removal of the cyst.  This is going to occur next Wednesday, August 22--an outpatient procedure--and I shouldn't be down and out for more than a few days.

I have also transferred from one department to another for my same employer.  I am thoroughly enjoying my new work and my new coworkers.

One of my coworkers quilts with a group of ladies once a week.  Their church host an Apple Festival in October, and the quilt is auctioned off.  All the proceeds are donated to a needy family in the area.  I've been helping out with this as much as I possibly can.

Here's last year's quilt:

I was excited to find this group since quilting is something I've always wanted to learn to do.

Also, I am leading another Small Group through my church with three other women. I feel so blessed to have been selected to participate in this study.  The series is called "Me, Myself and Lies"....about the truths that we believe about ourselves through lies fed into us by others. 

Oh, and before I go....here's my Lydia at the beach this past weekend....how she has grown...talks about everything and anything:

That's all for this evening and I'm going to try my hardest not to stay away for so long!!

Beth



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Picking Up

To pick up where I left off....which was vacation...

We arrived home from the beach safely.  The day after our return, the owner of my home....the home that I love, had been hoping and dreaming of for so long, a dream that had come true.......dropped over for a visit.

He informed me that since he had built a new home of his own and had overextended himself, he had to sell this home.  A buyer was all lined up.  She wanted to move and take possession in approximately two months' time.

I understood his dilemma, but this announcement presented me with my own dilemma...

Where to go?
First month's rent plus a security deposit?

Not to mention all the past memories of moving that came flooding back to me.....times that I had moved because I was leaving a bad situation, times that I had to move because I was financially unable to stay where I was....all the bad memories pouring over me...into me....as though a dam had broken.

I spent two weeks in a kind of 'shocked' mode...unable to progress into what I knew I had to do.

Finally, after days of crying and yes--having a sort of 'pity party' for myself....I start looking for a new place to live. 

Sounds easy, doesn't it?

Just find a place and move in?

Not as easy as you might think....especially when you have a 'past'....most of a 'past' that doesn't really belong to you.....just tags along with you....

The owner then tells me that the moving date has been moved to the end of November....then to the middle of November....then to the beginning of November.

My kids and I spend each evening for a week packing my belonging.

They are being moved to storage for the time being.

Me?  I am staying with my daughters and granddaughter for the time being.  Cara wanted me to stay until at least CHRISTmas.

Here it is now....January 5....I am still here....which has taken some adjusting....again--some good and some not so good....

More again soon....

Beth

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Back Again

It's been quite a while since I've written anything.  A lot has occurred in my life--some for good, some for not so good....

So, I'll start over again....back to September....with our trip to the beach.

This was a most wonderful time.....a time of relaxation, laughter, together with all my children:

I'm happy remembering this time......

And I'll move on with other happenings on another day...

Beth

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Pondering

And it is Wednesday already......

The past few days have gone by in a blur....work, meetings, sleep....

I've been pondering on the verse I posted on Monday, and concentrating on all things good, lovely, pure, worthy of praise. 

As I've been thinking of these, the doldrums have passed and joy is filling my heart and mind.  I can feel the difference in myself--not only emotionally, but also physically--I have been pain free for the past two days!!

And this in itself is a big praise!!  I'm still watching my diet very carefully, and gradually adding some things back into my diet with good results....and I am very thankful for this.

Peggy left a comment regarding whether it was too early to remind me of CHRISTmas.  No, it's not too early....I should have been working on this CHRISTmas starting on December 26th of last year!!

I've been searching for ideas for my girls, Andrew's Danielle, and now--three children to make something for. 

The search continues...although I do think I have found something that Cara would like.  I'm running out of ideas having made their gifts for so many years. 

Mittens for all three kids....they will all need new mittens for the winter...and beyond that I am clueless. 

Guess I'd better be keeping my eyes and ears open for hints dropped here and there from them....

Have a wonderful day in Him....



strong as a lion; weak as a lamb

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Anticipation

Ahhhh....It was so wonderful to step outside onto the deck this morning!

The temperature is only 67 degrees and no humidity--compared to the wet sponge I've been walking into with temps in the low 80's before the sun rises!!

As you can see, I've added a 'vacation countdown"....only 59 days until we leave for our vacation on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. 

I am so looking forward to this...haven't been here (or on any 'go-away' vacation) in over 10 years!!

Cara, Lydia and Lindsay are coming with me.....Danielle, Andrew, Brooklyn and Jackson will be visiting for a few days during our trip.  I cannot wait....well, I have to wait 59 days, but the anticipation is growing for me and all my family members!!

We've rented an adorable cottage on the island....the beach just a quick drive away on Assateague Island , and a time of relaxation, family and fun.

And on an even more positive note....I've been totally abdominal pain free for the past two days!!  Thank You, God!! 

Last night, I even decided to test this new medication the gastroenterologist prescribed for me and eat a regular type dinner instead of my usual cottage cheese or some other food that is soft and unchewable.

I didn't go crazy with this...just some macaroni and cheese and a hamburger....first 'real' food I've had since the beginning of June....

And no pain, not even a twinge of discomfort!!  I even slept through the night without being awakened by the pain that has been plaguing me for two months!!

Yes, God does answer prayers!!  I've been praying, and I know many other people have been praying right along with me.....and these prayers have been met by God's promises, faithfulness and love!!  A big 'thank you' to all who have been praying!!

See you tomorrow!!

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Should I or Shouldn't I?

I said yesterday that I would have pictures today of the baby blanket that I'm working on.  So, here it is:

This is called 'Cables and Lace Baby Blanket', and is one of my very favorite patterns.  Each row in a section is different, so I don't easily become complacent and not pay attention resulting in my making a mistake. 

Yes, this is the very same pattern that I used for Lydia's first blanket--the blanket she carries with her from place to place.

I'm still contemplating whether or not to open a 'shop'...either on Etsy or Artfire....

I've been thinking about this for some time....going back and forth in my mind....which site, should I do this or not, the extra income would be wonderful, is it worth my time and effort.....

I do know this....knitting and the many other handcrafts I do are very relaxing to me.  I love the feel of the yarn in my hands....I love watching a ball of yarn turning into something beautiful.....I love that God has given me this talent....

So, what do you think?  Should I or shouldn't I open a shop?  Any feedback on either sites would be wonderful!!



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Third Birthday

On Saturday afternoon, we celebrated Jackson's third birthday...

Brooklyn reading Jackson's birthday card to him...

Brooklyn and Jackson...before their lips turned totally blue from the cake icing....

Lindsay and Lydia checking out one of the birthday presents...

All in all....a wonderful birthday celebration for a wonderful little boy!!



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Time For A Party

I'm linking up with Peggy for Soaking on SONday. 

If you would like to join in, please visit her and link up!!  It's easy...just a Scripture or song--something--that has spoken to you through God....

So, I've not been feeling well....you all know this...

These past few days have been a test of my patience and tolerance.  The pain is not steady and constant, but comes and goes...I never know when.

Not only do I not know when, I don't know where.  These pains move from the lower abdomen to the upper abdomen....sometimes on the right, sometimes on the left, sometimes in the middle.

To say that this is starting to be a bit trying and sapping me of my energy is a small statement.

Yesterday, I finally broke down and had a 'pity party' for myself--a full blown party with tears and sobs and yes, a bit of anger thrown in just for good measure.  Of course, the 'party' did not involve just my illness that seems to go on forever.  Oh, no....the list started there and moved on to other things in my life that I felt were unfair, unjust, 'slap in the face' things that happened recently and long ago..

Doesn't the enemy know how to use one situation and stir us up into a lather of past issues--bringing them back to the forefront once again?  Situations that have absolutely nothing to do with the present, but push a button, and they are there...those places that remain unhealed...and he will work them to his advantage--if we let him.

In the middle of all of these carryings-on, my youngest daughter calls me.  We are supposed to go to a birthday party that afternoon for Danielle's son, Jackson.  Am I going, she wants to know.

Sobbing, I try to talk to her--explain my feelings and frustrations.  She listens....really listens to what I'm telling her.  She does not say to just brush my feelings aside.  She does not say that this is nothing and to get over it.  She does not say that I'm acting like a child.

What came through in our conversation was her love and care for me....the knowledge of this love....the caring she showed just by listening and being there for me....her willingness to help me do the things I've been unable to do (such as cleaning)...

And though my youngest daughter professes not to believe, God's love was shining through her--whether she knew it or not. 

God--what an awesome God--using my daughter to show me His love for me......

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago...Ephesians 2:10

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!....2 Corinthians 5:17

And yes, we did attend Jackson's birthday party....probably the best thing I could have done for myself yesterday...get out of the house and be with others...

As I feel God's love flowing through me, I'm having another kind of 'party'....a party of celebration of His love and care for me....

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A Labor of Love

Sometimes I think....sometimes I don't...

I've had  Cara's dog, Nika, visiting with me since Sunday.  She comes to my house to rest.  Cara's household is busy, and this little dog rarely sleeps there...even to the point of checking everyone while they are sleeping. 

I was to return her home on my way to work yesterday.....got ready for work...gathered all her things....walked out the door....locked the door...got in the car and drove off.  I'm driving down the road when I realized that I didn't have the dog!!

By that time it was too late to turn around and go back to retrieve her.  So, another night at my house....another day's rest for Nika....and hopefully, I'll remember to take her with me this morning.

On to an unfinished project--

I mentioned about a week ago that I have a dresser...a dresser which was given to me when my son was born.  This dresser belonged to my grandmother's sister--she had three sisters, I'm not sure which one this belonged to, but I think it was my Great-Aunt Edna.

How old does a piece of furniture have to be in order to be considered an antique? 

Anyway, I have said for years that I am going to refinished this dresser:

I have had every intention of doing this since my son was born--30 years ago.  I'm sure it was never touched when my mother had this or her aunt before her. 

As I'm thinking about doing this...a big undertaking...I'm thinking that this will definitely be a labor of love....restoring an old item to new....a stripping away of the old and replacing this with a new finish....taking the tarnished brass drawer pulls and shining them to brightness....

This verse is brought to mind:

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit....2 Corinithians 3:18

Our God loves us enough to accept us as we are at this very moment.  But, He doesn't leave us this way...we are constantly being nudged by the Holy Spirit...the very Spirit of our Lord...to be transformed into Christ's image...a stripping away of our old selves...sometimes small pieces at a time...

Which is why I think I'll start with one drawer and move on from there....

Again....I stand amazed....

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Creativity in a Flash

Friday has finally arrived...a three day weekend...time to relax...time to catch up on some household duties...and a cook out with my kids on Sunday--if the weather cooperates.  Even if we do have rainy, thunderstorm weather, we'll still get together and stay inside.

I decided to create a wordle from my "Thankful" post last night.  I like the way it turned out.



To see in a larger view, just click!!

If you never have used wordle, it's a fun, easy way to create with words--either something you have written or just some text you can randomly select.  You can change the design, the color scheme, the font....easy and fun. 



And this one....this is my family....just did this one in a space of a few minutes....

I'm off for one final day of work this week, and I'll be seeing you tomorrow!!

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