Be Back Soon

Hello Sweet Friends

I'm not back quite yet from my mini blog break

But I wanted to stop by and say HI

I do hope to be back to blogging regularly

Very Soon

In the mean time

Karen at

My Desert Cottage

Will once again host her annual

Where Blogger's Create

Link Party in July

You can check out the information HERE

Even if you don't join in

It is a wonderful place to get

Creative Space Idea's

(Sneak Peek)

I'll be joining in and sharing my creative/office space

Again this year

And I hope to see you there

You are in my prayers

Please keep me in yours

As I recover and work

Diligently to regain some energy

Blessings

Cousin Day and A Few Answers

Hello Sweet Friends

I hope you have enjoyed a

Wonderful Weekend

Thursday is my Joy Day

And this past Thursday was no different

Now that summer has arrived and the kiddos are out of school

I had all 3 K's

Plus my niece came over with her 3 kids

Having time to watch the cousins play together

Is so refreshing

They get along so well

And enjoy each other's company

The kids are all so busy during the school year

That summer offers a fun time for

All of them to just hang out together

I LOVE Thursday's

And

I Especially LOVE Cousin Days

On another totally unrelated note:

My Health

In recent months I have become more and more exhausted

For seemingly no reason

In my desire to be strong and independent

I self diagnosed as depression

Due to the events of the past 8 months

However, when I got to the point

Where I struggled to get out of bed

And get ready for work in the mornings

I knew it was time to figure this out

Well, after a bit of lab work and a couple

Other minor tests

We have a diagnosis of

Severe Iron Deficiency Anemia

Whew...

Honestly, I have been quite concerned

Because my dad was diagnosed with

Leukemia at my age which eventually took his life

So far, the tests are not leading in that direction

So I'm Thankful

More tests are being considered

Yet, for the next 3 weeks

This is my daily intake

We are taking a non invasive and

More gentle approach to getting my iron up

Before we look at more invasive

And more aggressive treatments and tests

I've been doing some research

And know this is a long process

I truly was hoping I'd feel better in a few days

But so far, not so much

At least I know why I've struggled to

Blog on a regular basis

By the time I get home from work

I'm pretty well finished for the day

And I've shared all the 'chores'

I've had to get done around here

I'm hoping as the weeks progress

I will find more energy

And blog more frequently

Or at least get by your blog for a visit

In the mean time

I'll be around as much as possible

And always appreciate your visits

And now

Because it is 115* outside

And I'm super HOT

I'll share one of my favorite photos

From many years ago

'In The Fall'

May you Be Blessed

Busy In Pictures

Hi Sweet Friends

Thank you for stopping by

As you may have guessed from my last post

It's been a rough and sad week

For several people I know and love

Today

I thought I'd just share ways

That I have managed to stay busy

And keep my mind and heart from feeling sad

Are you ready?

1. I packed up and put away all of my Easter décor

2. I changed the headlights on my car

Well,

After my oldest son helped me realize that I was trying to change the wrong one

And after he changed the right one

I watched - LOL

But, at least I purchased the right one :)

3. I had to have my water heater replaced

AGAIN!!

After only 18 months

The thing fried itself up

And a new one needed to be installed

Unfortunately, I had to pay AGAIN!! :(

4. I am in the process of draining the pool

The color is not beautiful or inviting

And now that my backyard neighbor cut down his tree

I can finally clean the pool

And hopefully it will stay clean Forever!!

5. I got Many Loads of laundry washed, dried, and put away

YAY!!

6. Yard Work and

More Yard Work

7. I got another bag of clothing ready to give away

That always makes me happy

8. And - Really

There are some pretty spots in my yard

I'm working hard to get more pretties happening around here

Instead of so many spots like this:

Busy does help keep my mind from

Going places it should not go

And, it helps make a new week feel less stressful

Praying for my friends

Praying that God has blessed your weekend

And praying that you see HIM

As you head into Monday

Blessings!

The Week In Photos

Hi Sweet Friends

It's been busy this week

And I didn't have time to do any decorating

So, I thought I'd just share a few photos from the week

This is my oldest son and his middle daughter K~Bel

They went to the father/daughter dance at her school Friday night

They had a great time

They stopped by my house afterward

K~Bel's first words to me as I opened the door

With a HUGE smile on her face were:

"Nana, I had SO MUCH SUGAR"

She cracks me up!!

Well, sugar or not

She is a sweet girl

I did a little coloring this week

Very relaxing

And, I needed some relaxation

After working on my taxes this week

We were up all night on Saturday

103+ fever for Madi

Spent Sunday morning in the UC

Influenza B

Tamiflu, fluids, Ibuprofen and rest in the days ahead

Hoping to get some sleep tonight

Watching the Super Bowl this afternoon

So far, so good

We'll see

Who are YOU rooting for?

Well, that is, If you are a football fan!

See my Header photo?

Well, Yeah!

Ummm...Stress will do that to you

I'm praying you have a great week

Remember

Valentine's Day is not just for Couples

Lots of single folks find this week hard or sad

Please

Be intentional about blessing someone you know

Give an extra Hug

Hand out little pieces of Yourself this week

You will be glad you did!!!!

Blessings to ALL

Update on Melissa

Hi Friends

Thank you so much for your Prayers

The Momma of this crazy family

Is Home!

The doctors have not yet come up with an answer

To her critically low hemoglobin and iron numbers

But after 2 bags of iron, 2 bags of blood and IV fluids

Plus a clean pelvic ultra sound

They felt comfortable sending her home

With several referrals for a couple more tests

We are grateful for prayers and

A God who answers them

We are grateful for you

We are grateful that she is feeling some better

Levels still need improvement

But that will take time

Find Joy is something little today

 

Urgent Prayer Request

Hi Friends,

I come to you tonight with a Prayer Request

For my Sweet Daughter In Love

Melissa

Pictured in the center of this photo

With her hubby (my son) and their 3 daughters and my 2nd son

She was admitted to the hospital last night

With critically low hemoglobin and iron levels

She has had 2 blood transfusions and a unit of iron

They are performing tests

But no resulting diagnosis at this point

Her hubby has been by her side the entire time

Her girlies (My 3 K's) are with their other grandparents tonight

Hoping they will be here by Thursday

Please pray that doctors are able to figure out

Why she is so terribly iron deficient

And are able to come up with a plan to treat her

And get her home to her family

Thank you so much friends

I will keep you updated as I receive news

Blessings to you all

Always looking to find JOY in the midst

Mid Project Update

Here is a quick mid project update

By mid morning
I had pretty much emptied the room 
And begun cleaning

 Curtains down and in the laundry

As you can see in the next 2 photos
Everything I took OUT of the office
Ended up here
On, under, and around my dining room table

Yes, I have created a Huge MESS
However, I have started putting things away
In a nice, neat and orderly fashion

This cabinet on the right side of my desk
With host my camera's and equipment
As well as a few labeled bins
With note cards, gift bows, small gift bags and such

The cabinet on the left has paper, note pads
Kids games and my scrapbook supply tote

This is one of my favorite finds
I purchased this little bench at Merchant Square
Many years ago for only $17
I Love it 

I usually have a few special scrapbooks and 
My Mrs Beasley doll on it
It's a happy place

That's it for tonight
I am tired and already in my jammies at 7pm
I'm not sure I will be able to walk tomorrow
My legs are cramping up big time :(

Anyway,
I am motivated to finish this room tomorrow 
Watch for my post 

Words of encouragement are Always Welcomed :)

Procrastination Buster

Procrastination is one of my pet peeves

When I say I am going to do something

I do it in a timely and organized way

It bugs me to let things go 

When I can get them done now or today

I LOVE crossing things off of my 'to do' list

And seeing that accomplishments have been made

I love Progress

YET

I have found in my 'embracing widowhood' season

I have become an at home procrastinator

I keep telling myself I need to get something done

And then come the end of the weekend

The project has yet to be addressed

SO, with humility and some embarrassment

I have learned the art of 

Procrastination Busting!!!

Are you ready???

Post photos of the untouched, unfinished, project

Post a date, deadline or timeline to complete the project

To the World

Below you will see photos of my home office

I'm ashamed to show them

Because I DISLIKE immensely

The condition of said office

However, if I don't set a timeline to get this place cleaned up

It seems I will never even begin to start

 

Close your eyes or turn your head

If you have a weak stomach

Because below are photos of the shameful mess I need to tackle

I pray that by Sunday evening

January 26, 2014

You will never see photos like these again!!

I'M Going IN..........

Happy Mail

Hi Friends

I always get so excited when I receive some special
Treat in the mail even if I purchased it for myself

My love language is Gifts
Sometimes that makes me feels selfish
However, at the same time
I love to Give Gifts away all the time

Anyway,
Have you heard of Lisa Leonard Designs
Well, I've seen several blog friends 
Who have purchased some of her beautiful creations
Yet, I've never purchased anything for myself
Until Now

When I recently saw that she had created 
A Key
For our 2014 Word of the Year
I was a quick taker (purchaser)
I think I have a little crush on her (stuff)

This is the piece I received 

My Happy Mail

I am Absolutely In Love

The key is the perfect size and hangs on a great chain

With a cute little pearl

I know I will enjoy wearing it everyday

And being reminded of my Word for 2014

'Health"

Spiritual, Emotional, and Physical

What is even More exciting
Is that it looks great 
With my Embrace The Moment necklace
That I purchased last year
As a helpful reminder to Live in Today
It is about the same size 
And also has a cute little pearl

This one helps me to embrace where God has me today
Allow my Faith and Trust in God to grow 
While He worries about tomorrow
I Embrace Today

Friends,
What are you embracing today
What life circumstance has been weighing heavy on your heart
What has been the 'thing' you are yet to let go of
And truly begun to embrace the good in

For me, it's widowhood
I am learning to "Embrace Widowhood"
And Finding Joy in the Journey

How about you
Let's encourage each other
By sharing something we are 
Learning to Embrace   

My One Word - HEALTH

The choice of 'My One Word' does not usually come without much prayer and listening for God's voice. Yet, as 2013 was coming to a close, the Lord kept placing one word in my heart: "Health". Oh great, I thought, yes I know I need to lose weight but really, that's the word for the year?

Well, let's just see what 'Health' really implies for my life as we move into 2014.

SPIRITUALLY

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:23-25

Oh, how these verses have spoken to my unhealthy spiritual reality. You see, I have 'been in the habit' of not meeting together with other believers. It was only supposed to be a couple of weeks to refresh and regroup.  However, those 2 weeks became 2 months and then 1 1/2 years. It became a 'habit' to not attend church. In doing so, my spiritual health has deteriorated and I've become weak as a believer and as a child of the king.  The passion and fire that used to burn and spur me on to encourage others has diminished, faded and all but burned out.

As the Lord began to speak 'health' into my spirit, it was only a short time before I realized the vastness of what He was speaking to me. Before physical health can be achieved, spiritual health must be restored. That is where the Lord has asked me to focus during the beginning of this new year.

Several years ago I wrote a sermon that I shared with a large group of women, it was entitled: 'Does your soul prosper'.  At that time, my soul was Very prosperous, however, these days, I must say, no, my soul is not very prosperous. Of course there is a lot to that sermon that I am unable to share here but just know, this has nothing to do with tangible prosperity! But it has Everything to do with the peace of God that only comes from a continuing, on going, daily relationship with the One True God!!

In this new year God is calling His people to Relationship! Our vertical relationship is the most valuable and important of all. It is the foundation of all relationships.  But He is also calling us to horizontal relationships that are based and grounded on our relationship with Him. This is where I have struggled since my husband passed away. So much in life changes when you lose half of yourself after a 30 year marriage. Relationships all change, people move on with their couple friends, you don't 'fit' in any more with them. You haven't had 'single' relationships and don't want to fit in there. It seems there is no place for the newly widowed within the church family and you find yourself pulling yourself away into a solitary and protective existence. You don't realize how unhealthy it is, you just need to feel safe.

Hence, the non-scriptural lifestyle I have become accustom to. Therein lies My One Word! Health!!

It begins today with a focus on my Spiritual Health and will proceed, in God's Timing, with:

FINANCIAL

EMOTIONAL

PHYSICAL

May 2014 bring you all that God has placed in your heart. May your desires be ignited by His Word! May you be blessed beyond earthly measure and May God be Glorified in All You Are!!!