I listen to only one channel of music in my van. Once I veered from it, and to catastrophic consequences, so I don't think I'll be doing that again.
This channel plays some songs a little to frequently, but I like to think that is because I need to hear them.
There is one song that I hear that makes me think of my husband. He has proven to me what a wonderfully strong man he is, having to endure things in his life, my life, our marriage that one should never have to endure. His courage is a source of strength for me.
"Courageous," by Casting Crowns:
Saturday, November 19
Tuesday, November 15
A Reminder
A reminder for myself, for the days when the calendar reminds me of something I don't need reminding of, when things get a little too tough, and memories and hurt a little too strong.
And a reminder for me to be grateful, for without all of that, and everyone involved, I wouldn't have all of this.
And a reminder for me to be grateful, for without all of that, and everyone involved, I wouldn't have all of this.
Monday, November 7
A Time for Everything: Respect the Bird
I heard part of a FOX News radio broadcast about two weeks ago. The speaker was saying something like, "You can tell by the number of Christmas decorations in the store that it's almost time for children all over to get ready to Trick or Treat."
We laugh, but it's true. Each year Christmas comes earlier and earlier. Shopping days are numbered in a store window by me, and have been since the end of September. Stores are already playing Christmas music, and television commercials have been advertising the return of Christmas layaway. Christmas decorations are often the centerpiece for an autumnal feast. In a rush for the societal glutton, we tend to overlook the importance and meaning of so many other days.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Christmas, love the feelings and emotions that are invoked. My favorite Christmas decoration to put out is the tiny little candle in my small attic window. I can draw so much by viewing that little orb of light.
But Thanksgiving doesn't have much fake about it, not much that can be overdone. Just too big of a turkey, I suppose. And time spent with loved ones is true, and not too overwrought with high expectations.
And, there's stuffing on the table.
We laugh, but it's true. Each year Christmas comes earlier and earlier. Shopping days are numbered in a store window by me, and have been since the end of September. Stores are already playing Christmas music, and television commercials have been advertising the return of Christmas layaway. Christmas decorations are often the centerpiece for an autumnal feast. In a rush for the societal glutton, we tend to overlook the importance and meaning of so many other days.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Christmas, love the feelings and emotions that are invoked. My favorite Christmas decoration to put out is the tiny little candle in my small attic window. I can draw so much by viewing that little orb of light.
But Thanksgiving doesn't have much fake about it, not much that can be overdone. Just too big of a turkey, I suppose. And time spent with loved ones is true, and not too overwrought with high expectations.
And, there's stuffing on the table.
Tuesday, November 1
Side by Side
It was the weekend that almost wasn't.
We had tried to get tickets to a concert at our usual venue, to celebrate with friends. To no avail.
Plan B was to see the theatrical production at the college where my husband works. Mother Nature derailed that.
Still, we took the girls to Gramma's house, where they stayed and played and weathered out the storm, which was much less intense than it was by our own home. I hesitated and hemmed and hawed, but it was a good idea.
Being that we were over an hour's drive away from home, we didn't really have an idea of how bad the weather was near our home. A worried neighbor finally convinced us to head home, and the drive was a little scary. We saw trees on power lines, branches in yards, snow piling deeper the further inland we drove. The closer we got to home the more my job became to watch out ahead for fallen and falling trees and wires.
We were approximately one mile from home when we happened upon a tree lying across the main road. We had just passed a plow, so it was a recent fall, though luckily did not cause damage. My husband left our car to help the man in front of us try to move the tree, branch by branch. I also got out to help. Luckily, on the other side of the tree, there was a wrecker truck, which backed itself up to the tree and removed it partially from the road, so it was at least passable.
It was good that our children were not at home to hear the wind and breaking trees. Branches had fallen in front of our garage and taken down some wires for the phone, but did not cause any other damage. We are one of the lucky few in our town who have not and did not lose power. Saturday night we bunked down by the fire, far away from the swaying hickory tree in our backyard that I have always been afraid of having fall clear through our bedroom. The tree is still standing, but is a good 20-30 feet shorter due to the branches it also lost.
We witnessed the EMS in our town work against the fallen wires and snow as they tried to save a life of a neighbor who had a heart attack that evening, near close to midnight. I had never before seen a person having CPR performed on them, and it is not an image that I will quickly forget. We do not know how this neighbor has fared.
Sunday morning dawned sunny. My husband and I slept in, and then got to work clearing our drive, yard, and freeing our truck from the garage. A borrowed chainsaw helped us. Side by side, we worked together, clearing our property, removing the branches. I even used the chainsaw myself for a bit (I'm little, but I'm strong!), and my husband removed the debris. A good team.
We had decided that it was not safe for us to drive back to Gramma's and get our girls that day, so they got to enjoy her for another day. (We haven't had school for three days now as the town clears up from the storm.) We took advantage of our kid-less home and enjoyed a nice dinner out, and a quiet evening. Rested, recharged and ready for more.
Side by side.
We had tried to get tickets to a concert at our usual venue, to celebrate with friends. To no avail.
Plan B was to see the theatrical production at the college where my husband works. Mother Nature derailed that.
Still, we took the girls to Gramma's house, where they stayed and played and weathered out the storm, which was much less intense than it was by our own home. I hesitated and hemmed and hawed, but it was a good idea.
Being that we were over an hour's drive away from home, we didn't really have an idea of how bad the weather was near our home. A worried neighbor finally convinced us to head home, and the drive was a little scary. We saw trees on power lines, branches in yards, snow piling deeper the further inland we drove. The closer we got to home the more my job became to watch out ahead for fallen and falling trees and wires.
We were approximately one mile from home when we happened upon a tree lying across the main road. We had just passed a plow, so it was a recent fall, though luckily did not cause damage. My husband left our car to help the man in front of us try to move the tree, branch by branch. I also got out to help. Luckily, on the other side of the tree, there was a wrecker truck, which backed itself up to the tree and removed it partially from the road, so it was at least passable.
It was good that our children were not at home to hear the wind and breaking trees. Branches had fallen in front of our garage and taken down some wires for the phone, but did not cause any other damage. We are one of the lucky few in our town who have not and did not lose power. Saturday night we bunked down by the fire, far away from the swaying hickory tree in our backyard that I have always been afraid of having fall clear through our bedroom. The tree is still standing, but is a good 20-30 feet shorter due to the branches it also lost.
We witnessed the EMS in our town work against the fallen wires and snow as they tried to save a life of a neighbor who had a heart attack that evening, near close to midnight. I had never before seen a person having CPR performed on them, and it is not an image that I will quickly forget. We do not know how this neighbor has fared.
Sunday morning dawned sunny. My husband and I slept in, and then got to work clearing our drive, yard, and freeing our truck from the garage. A borrowed chainsaw helped us. Side by side, we worked together, clearing our property, removing the branches. I even used the chainsaw myself for a bit (I'm little, but I'm strong!), and my husband removed the debris. A good team.
We had decided that it was not safe for us to drive back to Gramma's and get our girls that day, so they got to enjoy her for another day. (We haven't had school for three days now as the town clears up from the storm.) We took advantage of our kid-less home and enjoyed a nice dinner out, and a quiet evening. Rested, recharged and ready for more.
Side by side.
Tuesday, October 25
Enough Said ...
A friend has been sending me a lot of inspirational and motivational emails lately. They are all helpful and supportive, but I keep going back to this one. I guess it hits home the most.
Winning
"Do unto others
As you would have done
Unto you."
That is the message you sent
When you learned of
everything.
"I try to follow this message."
Do you?
Hypocrisy.
Amazing how different two
Punishments are when the wrong is
the same.
Judgement has no part
in friendship.
I pray that
No one
Ever does to you
What you have done
to us.
I hope no one ever
Leaves you feeling
So worthless.
Your lynch mob was successful.
Everything around us is different.
Everything around you is the same.
Congratulations, you win...
...do you?
As you would have done
Unto you."
That is the message you sent
When you learned of
everything.
"I try to follow this message."
Do you?
Hypocrisy.
Amazing how different two
Punishments are when the wrong is
the same.
Judgement has no part
in friendship.
I pray that
No one
Ever does to you
What you have done
to us.
I hope no one ever
Leaves you feeling
So worthless.
Your lynch mob was successful.
Everything around us is different.
Everything around you is the same.
Congratulations, you win...
...do you?
Tuesday, October 11
Lions and Tigers and Bears!
I will admit it. I am scared of the dark. Not in the house, but outside. I just do not like to be outside at night. Especially alone. Why? There are bears out there! Even in my little fenced in yard near town, I don't like being outside at night.
Yesterday we spent the afternoon playing and having dinner with friends. And came home with a load of free firewood to boot! Tired and happy with very full tummies, and we'll also be warm (at least next winter we will be!)
My van was parked down the end of their not-so-very-long-but-still-very-dark driveway. I had kept it out of the way of the our husbands who were loading and transporting the firewood around. Last time we got wood here we ended up with a broken truck window! And since I seem to be having bad luck with my cars, I kept it out of harms way.
But, when it was time to leave.... I had to go get my van to drive it up to their house. Alone. In the dark. And they have had bears in their yard!
My friend offered to get my van and bring it up. And I nearly took her up on her offer. But, I realized that if we ever have the opportunity to relocate our family to the northern New England state that we so desire to be residents of that I have to suck it up and get over my fear of bears.
You are stronger than you know. People keep telling me that, and given what I have endured and overcome in the last 2 years, it's time I start listening to them.
And you know what? A bear didn't get me.
Yesterday we spent the afternoon playing and having dinner with friends. And came home with a load of free firewood to boot! Tired and happy with very full tummies, and we'll also be warm (at least next winter we will be!)
My van was parked down the end of their not-so-very-long-but-still-very-dark driveway. I had kept it out of the way of the our husbands who were loading and transporting the firewood around. Last time we got wood here we ended up with a broken truck window! And since I seem to be having bad luck with my cars, I kept it out of harms way.
But, when it was time to leave.... I had to go get my van to drive it up to their house. Alone. In the dark. And they have had bears in their yard!
My friend offered to get my van and bring it up. And I nearly took her up on her offer. But, I realized that if we ever have the opportunity to relocate our family to the northern New England state that we so desire to be residents of that I have to suck it up and get over my fear of bears.
You are stronger than you know. People keep telling me that, and given what I have endured and overcome in the last 2 years, it's time I start listening to them.
And you know what? A bear didn't get me.
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