How Do We face This Quarentine?

A Beautifully Burdened Life by Jenny Albers

March 15 at 7:52 PM · 

Society: What about my plans?!

God: My plans for you are always better than your own. Don't worry. I'm going to work this all out for your good.

Society: We're not going to get anything done!

God: That's the point. You know how you keep spinning your wheels—always working, moving, doing—but never feeling satisfied? I've given you permission to stop. I've cleared your calendars for you! Your worth isn't tied to busyness or accomplishment. All you have to do is take care of each other.

Society: What does this all mean?

God: It means I'm in control. It means you are human and I am God. It means I've given you a wonderful opportunity to be the light in a dark world. It means you are going to learn to rely on me.

Society: What are we supposed to do when we can't leave our homes?

God: Rest. You are always so busy and overwhelmed, crying out to me weary and exhausted. Can't you use a break from your fast-paced and over-scheduled lives? Go ahead and rest. Pray. Love your families. Be still and spend time with me.

Society: You mean we're supposed to stay home with our kids all day, every day?

God: Yes. And you're going to be just fine. This time together is a rare gift. The rush of daily life has come to a halt. Play games. Bake cookies. Work on projects you've never had the time for. Teach them kindness and grace. Show them how to endure difficult circumstances and steer them toward me.

Society: We better start hoarding anything we can get our hands on!

God: Prevention, yes. Precaution, yes. Preparedness, yes. But after that, it's time to put the needs of others before your own. When you see someone in need, help them. Offer up what you have. Do not worry about tomorrow! Haven't I always taken care of you? Now, go take care of someone else.

Society: Why is this happening?

God: To remind you that I'm in control. To bring your attention back to me. I'm bringing you together as families and neighbors. I'm showing you patience and perseverance. I'm reminding you of your purpose and priorities. Now is the time to learn and teach your children what this life is really about.

Society: We don't know who to believe.

God: Believe in me. Trust me. Ask me for wisdom and I will surely give it.

Society: We're scared!

God: I've got this and I'm with you.
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Decade's End.......

Such truth.

I leave this year with these thoughts.

I remember ringing in 2000...good old Y2K!
Now we are moving on to 2020 and I am not sure where the last twenty years have gone.
If I simply focus on this last year I know it has been good.  I am happy. I spend my days doing mostly what I like.  I am not fancy.  I am happy with simple.  I realized that tonight as I finished this year at mass in the company of people I love...yes, my church family.  An altar with the lights of Christmas still shining, a choir filling the church with music that still brought thoughts of Christ's birth, and familiar faces in worship as we welcome in this year.  It was the way the year should end.
I am hopeful.  I know this next year will be as good as last.
My resolutions...simple....

Use the gifts God has given me wisely
Be grateful always
Be healthier, my body matters
Facebook less, be more present to others and myself
Patience!
Appreciate the ordinary
Declutter so my family won't have to do it when I'm gone
Just love

Just things that you should do everyday.
Goodbye 2019!

Years End......

It is almost then end of another decade.  Yes, it is almost 2020.  In years past I have loved blogging.  It is a record of my life in words and pictures.  It matters to me.

I quit and now I am sad and determined to restart.  Not in some creative and clever way but just in facts and thoughts.  

We wrapped up this year with a fun Christmas.  We created lots of memories through experiences.  

This next year it is my goal to record these experiences. 

I will be accountable.  It may only be once a week but I am going to leave my thoughts for whoever cares when I am no longer here.

Just love this family!!

Sacred Space......

This is my space.....like selfishly my own space.

It is not designer perfect by any means but I do not care.  

 This was the draw when we bought the house...this crazy, built by the original owner corner desk.  I loved that I could put my sewing machine on the desk and drag out all my fabrics without moving it off the kitchen table.

 After twelve years of coffee spills, worn spots, and needles stuck in the carpet, the carpet came up and wood went down.

 An old recliner went to Goodwill and and my chocolate brown marshmallow feeling recliner took its place.

 And on the shelves are all of my favorite things.  Family pictures, quotes that speak to me, quilt books, photography manuals, and sacred pictures painted by a special friend. 

   In here is everything I love and when I drink my morning coffee in my favorite chair I am in my happy space surrounded by "my stuff".

It is peace, tranquility, and warm fuzzy feelings because it is MY space.

Favorite Things.....

Not jewelry, not fancy cars, not designer clothes...though these things are nice.  My favorite things are empty journals, motivational books, and coffee cups.  The coffee cups that start my day off with a quote that can stay with me throughout the day.  

 I love waking up in the morning now that I can start the day without an alarm...retirement is perfect!

A cup of coffee and time in my favorite space (more on that later). 

I love to write.  I don't have an agenda but journaling my thoughts has always been a thing for me.  

So give me 30 minutes, sometimes more, to sip on coffee, read something uplifting and motivational, and then journal whatever is on my mind.  Just my thoughts for the day.  It is pen to paper and no one has to read it or like why I have to say.  It is for me.

I am always on the lookout for something to read, a pretty journal to write in and a coffee cup that inspires me....

Today "Scatter Joy"  

Behold the Pantry!!!.....

Three days....three whole days and several hundred dollars but it is done.

 This may not rival a professionally done pantry but you have no idea how far it has come.  The fact that I did not take before photos stuns me...or possibly it would embarrass me.  

Our pantry was a horror story.  Way too much food for way too few people but now it is in a state of total organization.

And I promise that the pantry Nazi will make sure it stays that way!

Reminders of Christmas!....

Just a few pictures that remind me what a wonderful Christmas we had this year!

It was perfect and I will forever treasure pajamas, games, laughter, and gifts.

We are blessed!

New Again.....

I am back! 

 A whole year of no blogging, no written adventures or ideas or happenings.  I missed it.  I found  myself taking much fewer pictures, forgetting things that I want to remember, and generally just being sad that there was no more blog to pass on.

I am not seeking to entertain, just to remember.

My days pass too quickly and the times I love need to be recorded.

It may not be often or even important but it will be.

Welcome 2019!

Thanks for calling me back.

The End......

At the end of each blog year I say this is it...and then I blog some more.

Sadly, this is truly the end.  I have run out of time, humorous ideas, and just plain old desire.

I love going back and looking at old pictures...my grandparent, aunts and uncles and imagining what their lives were like.  What was their day like, their favorite meals, did they take trips, did they pray (well, I know that was part of their lives).

So my blog was meant to leave some thoughts for my family, both kids and grandkids.

Do they know I was born in Chicago? I grew up in a Catholic school, never knowing anything about public school until my junior year in high school.  I was not happy when my parents moved me to Dallas...I rebelled a bit.  I love the beach more than anything although my pilgrimages to France, the Holy Land, and Rome were pretty special. I don't especially like jewelry.  I don't go out of the house without big hair and makeup.  Diet coke is my favorite drink and anything with sugar makes me happy.

So very many thoughts as I close the door on this blog.

I have left behind about eight years of memories.

The rest will just live in my heart.

Family.....

 It is Christmas Eve.  That means rising to put on matching pajamas and gathering to celebrate all day.  

 Christmas Eve is special.  We anticipate the birth of our Savior and simply enjoy family time.

On Christmas Day I love to relax, listen to the last of the month long Christmas carols and eat!

 Games!

 Food!

 Too many pictures, because next year these kids will look entirely different.

 Presents!

 Plastic tubs and memories.  That is what I collect in my heart.

Goodbye to Christmas 2017.

It has been wonderful!

A Lot Of Christmas Cheer!......

Our extended family is growing...a lot!!  I am not sure of the exact count but it is nearing 35 or so.

That makes for chaos, confusion, noise, and fun when we find time to gather for holidays.

This year we were only minus one when we landed with food, gifts, and bottles of cheer at Aunt Pam's house.

God bless Aunt Pam!

We were making a vain attempt to get the kids together for a picture.  VAIN is the keyword here!

You will just have to take my word when I tell you they are an adorable bunch when they all look at the camera.

Uncle Bergy is reciting our annual favorite "The Night Before Christmas".  I think the adults enjoy it more than the kids.  

Unwrapping our three foot tall stockings!

And on this very day Mandy turned the big 40!!  

Another reason to PARTY!!!

Always the ringleader, Finley is directing the Christmas gift exchange!

Love this girl!

Until next year, Merry Christmas to All!

Hello December!.....