Back from vacation

It has been forever since I did any blogging, so I thought I would get back to it. Monday night I got home after being gone for about 6 weeks. In later blogs I'll talk about what all I've been doing.

Monday evening I flew into Detroit, from Oklahoma City. Jack picked me up and we had a 2 1/2 hour drive back to St. Marys. It was about 1:00 a.m. when we got home. We were both very tired.

It was nice sleeping in Tuesday morning. I did, however, feel like I had been run over by a 2 ton truck and then he backed up on me. Unpacking my suitcases upstairs made a complete mess of two of our three bedrooms. I had left with one suitcase and came back with two. I always manage to collect things wherever I go.

We had a funeral to go to in the afternoon, so I just left things messy. Since we wouldn't be home, I thought that no one would see what our upstairs looked like (thankfully). After the funeral we went to Cambridge (over an hour from our house). We were meeting a friend for supper. So it was another late night.

Yesterday was spent going to Stratford for groceries, gas, and getting my hair cut. Also I had to get back into cooking supper every night. It has been great not having to cook. I got quite spoiled. Last night I stayed up late to get bills, bank statements, etc. in order. I like to keep things written down so we know what is going on in our finances. When I went to bed my mind was still on fast mode, so it took a while for me to get to sleep.

This morning I needed to take the car up to get the oil changed. Since it is very close to "Curves", I decided to walk over and get my exercises done. I was afraid that I might be too tired, but did get it accomplished. It helps to talk with the other women there while exercising, it takes your mind off of what you are doing.

The man from the car dealership drove me home, because they were going to do something else to the car. Just as I was walking up the stairs to my house I realized that I had left the keys to the front door with the car. I usually have another house key with the van keys, but hadn't put them in my purse after getting home. Wayne (man from car dealership) drove me back and I gave them a valet key and got the house keys. I did have a good visit with Wayne during the two trips to my house. He is good friends with our nearest neighbors, does farming, goes camping, etc.

Well, that has been my week so far. I can hardly keep my eyes open, but I'm going to try and not lay down for a nap. I want to sleep tonight.

New Friends

I am enjoying developing friendships with the women that I've met at Curves and also up at the Friendship Center (Senior's Center). On Monday I was talking with Mary Ann (at Curves). I found out that she lives across the street and down a couple of houses. I was so excited that maybe soon I can be visiting this new friend by just walking across the street. I'm also learning more about these women each time I go to Curves. As we exercise we chat with one another. It makes the exercising go quicker.

It has been wonderful to occasionally meet someone downtown. It gives me the feeling of belonging here in St. Marys. Sometimes you just don't realize how lonesome you are for friends until you start getting some.

We have had some beautiful days the last week and that certainly lifts your spirits. I enjoy going for walks. It not only gives me exercise, but just being outdoors makes me feel closer to God. I know that He is everywhere, but His creation just speaks volumes to me, lifts burdens, makes my heart peaceful. The LORD continues to bring blessings into my life.

A Lovely Restful Day

It's been quite a while since I last blogged. I've been aiming to get started again, but it is one of those "round to it" things.
I just want to share some thoughts about yesterday.

We have needed to get a new muffler and also new rear shocks on the car. Last week I made an appointment to take the car in yesterday for 8:00 to have them both taken care of. I knew that I could have a ride back home from the men at the garage, but thought I would just walk downtown while it was all being done.

It was raining some, but wasn't too cold (probably in mid 40's). I had on a sweat jacket underneath my Northern Reflection raincoat (I've had this raincoat forever). I got it when having anything from Northern Reflections was "in". The lining is made of flannelette. Of course, you don't want to wear this raincoat when it is hot out because you sweat like the dickens in it.

Also I took my pink flowered umbrella with me that Alysa gave me for my birthday a number of years ago. I had asked her for a nice big one and she found this beauty. I do love walking in the rain (but not if there is thunder and lightening). One other thing I brought with me was a book that my sister, Shirley, had sent me to read. I had plans to find a place to read it.

In December I joined Curves and try to go every day if possible. Since Curves is almost next door to the Pontiac dealership, I decided that I would drop off the car and then walk over and do my workout. That was my first adventure.

The downtown was only about 1/2 mile from Curves. It was cloudy, but wasn't raining yet so I started walking. Besides my purse, and umbrella I also had my bag with my running shoes in them that I wear at Curves. Inside my shoe bag also was my book.

When I got downtown I went to the bank and post office. Then I did a first for me. I went to a cafe called the Coffee Culture. There I bought a diet coke (of course) with a glass of ice to go with it and a great cranberry/lemon muffin. I found a small table and sat and read and drank the diet coke and ate the muffin. It was a wonderful time. Yes, I'm definitely stepping out of my box (a little bit).


Since coming to St. Marys I've been lonesome for "girl friends" here. Going to Curves has been a boost to me because I've gotten to know quite a few women. When I was finishing up my diet coke I looked over and saw one of the women from Curves. I have been thinking about her because her husband died week before last. I said hi and we had a good conversation, the beginning of a friendship. Since I feel the Lord has me here in St. Marys to reach out to the women for Him, I was so happy to see this is developing. The Lord is good!

I had given my cell number to the garage and since they hadn't called yet, I still had time on my hands. I walked through the Salvation Army Store and then decided to see if I could get an appointment to get my eyes checked. There are a few things that are good about turning 65. The Government pays for your eye exam. So I found the office and made an appointment. Of course, the Government does not pay for the actual glasses. While I was there the garage called and I started my walk back to pick up the car.

It had started to rain and I was able to use my umbrella. While crossing the bridge I had to hang onto it for dear life because the wind was blowing badly. I'm seeing spring flowers in so many of the yards and this lifts my spirits so much.

This is a long blog, but I have to tell you the rest of the morning. I picked up the car and decided I wasn't ready to go home. There is a Tim Horton's downtown and I do love their chili. Yes, I went there and got the combo. It has the chili, a bun, a drink(had to have a diet pepsi, the only down in the morning, they don't have coke products) and a doughnut. I read while I was eating. I do enjoy a good book. Then I went to the library next door and used their computer because my wireless was down.

It was a lovely relaxing day. Thank you Lord for this refreshing day.

Thankful Heart

I'm Thankful to the LORD:

1. Because He hears me when I cry out to Him. He listens and doesn't condemn.

2. He reminded me how much He loves me. I am very special to Him.

3. He reminded me today that He especially wanted to bless me by bringing me to live in St. Marys. He did that for
me.

4. He reminded me that I don't have to perform duties for Him. He wants my heart.

5. Only what He thinks about me is important. I can't be worrying about what others think about me.

6. He is interested in my physical well being. I go to Curves and I love it. I'm making so many new friends and getting in
in shape and healthier.

7. Today I enjoyed having lunch with a dear friend. Thank you LORD for her and our friendship.

8. I drive the car that He gave me a year and half ago. I was able to drive it to see Alysa in the fall and then in January
to see Lenn. He is so good to make it possible for me to see my precious children.

9. He has a plan for my life and I shouldn't be concerned about the plans others have for me. I need to only listen to Him
and do His will.

10. He died for me and holds me safe in his arms.

11. His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness to me.

Flower Arrangement

I've been wanting a flower arrangement for my buffet for quite a while. I just haven't seen anything that just smacked me in the face and said "this is what I've been looking for". I knew it needed to be a low arrangement. When I was at Shirley's (my sister) we were at Michael's Craft Store and I saw a low wooded basket and knew that was what I needed. Then we found some greenery at Hobby Lobby. I still needed the flowers to go in it. I stopped at Hobby Lobby in Jackson, Tenn. on the way home and they had their flowers 1/2 off. I found the flowers that I wanted. Below is a picture of my flower arrangement. I love how it turned out.

Rain, Thawing and Flooding in St. Marys

We always look forward to the snow going after several months of winter. This weekend it was sunny and warmer (around 32).

Tuesday it rained all day, heavily. This melted a lot of snow, causing a lot of extra water in the Thames River here in St. Marys. By Wednesday morning we had very heavy fog. The fog was due to the cold ground and the warmer air and rain. Schools were closed because of the fog. We also cancelled our Senior's Meeting in Exeter. The fog was bad all day and into the evening.


Thursday morning I went to Curves for my workout. Just behind the back of the building is the River. The River is very high and I couldn't get over the waves of the River. It even had some whitecaps.

The Ball Field next to the River also is flooded.

Our Waterfall usually is between 6-8 feet deep and in this picture it probably is a foot or less.

One good thing it did. It got rid of quite a bit of our snow in the front yard. Thankfully we haven't had a problem with our basement flooding. We are almost two miles from the river. It is wonderful to be free from snow for a few days. I know that it will come again, but I'll take a few days in the middle of winter without piles of snow.

Traveling South

The Lord has many ways of encouraging us. He always knows just what we need. January 19, 2009 I headed down to Dallas to visit Lenn, Sarah and the boys. Being so far away from them is a hard thing. The LORD worked this out for me and I thank Him for it.

When I drive down it makes it possible for me to visit some of my family on the way. My first day was a long day of driving and it ended with me arriving at my cousin's (Bobbie) house. It is always a joy to be with her, even for just one day. We sat the next morning and watched the inauguration of President Obama. Shortly after that I left to go to Memphis. My sister, Patsy, lives there and I spent Tuesday night with her. We even had time for a trip to Dillard's Department Store and found a couple of good bargains. Yes, she had diet coke for me.

Wednesday morning I left early and spent the day driving to Dallas. The further south I got the warmer it became. It wasn't hard to leave St. Marys because of the mounds of snow that were every where and the expectation that I would hopefully go where there was no snow.


It is so fun to be with Lenn and Sarah. The boys are full of energy and something is happening at all times. Andrew, Matthew and Robbie are so different, from their personalities to their physical activities. Andrew is active physically(very), but he loves to have books read to him, loves music, very interested in numbers, remembers how old a person is, etc. , enjoys watching videos, and is starting to want to play board games. Matthew is the artist of the family. He loves coloring, painting, building projects, finding treasures outside, plus playing outside. Robbie is still developing his personality. He doesn't say many words, but understands everything you say to him. One thing he loves to do is have someone read to him. He brings you lots of books. It also is the only time I could get him to sit on my lap. He certainly holds his own with his two brothers. He drop kicks any ball, has great hand eye co-ordination with a little golf club, bat, etc. All three boys love to laugh and it is a great joy to be with them.

I'm always impressed with Sarah and how she handles taking care of a husband, three boys, cooking, housekeeping and church related things. Lenn is very blessed to have her for a wife and the mother of their children. She is committed to the LORD in all areas of her life. She has a heart for others and makes many sacrifices because of it.

One of the greatest blessings the Lord can give you is to have children. Lenn has blessed my life in so many ways. I love it that he loves the LORD with all his heart. He also loves his wife and boys and works hard to provide for them. It was so fun to see him playing with the boys, and how excited they always are when he gets home. He and Sarah work hard at training the boys as they grow. Lenn has a calming affect on me when I am with him. Another thing I love is to stand next to him in church and sing praises to our LORD with him. Quite often I learn from him through his out look on life and the Christian walk.


All of this to say, being in Dallas has lifted my spirits, made me feel loved. I always feel energized when I come home. Thank you, LORD.