Luxurious Loveliness

I am SO enjoying my two week holiday!

That is surprising because I only work 3 mornings a week which isn't so much at all.

But the time spreads before me like some lovely luxurious getaway.

I love being able to lounge in bed in the mornings.

No time constraints.

I've had a few horrible nights where I've been repeatedly awakened or unable to sleep because of strong muscle spasms in my back, but the fact that I can sleep in and catch up on my rest just takes the pressure right off.

I've had time to get all my income tax stuff together and it's been a victorious quest.

I feel ridiculously satisfied by all my orderly piles of papers placed in a basket ready to take to the book keeper.

The college conundrum was solved and I have my T2202 form all printed out.

The other conundrums were also solved and I just feel so accomplished.

Plus I organized files and made headway on other piles of papers.

I take the dogs out for runs and enjoy the spring sounds and warmer air.

I have lunches with the son who is often here because of work.

And I've been reading a novel!

I'm on my computer fast for lent which is giving me more time and space. (limiting "non-essential" computer time)

I've done so little but I feel a peace in that.

I think I needed this time and I'm so happy that I'm enjoying it so much.

I had a fun 50th birthday party to attend for a dear friend last night adding a bit of pizzaz to my otherwise slow moving days.

And I still have four and a half days to luxuriate in the simplicity of time at home with a few lunches and coffees with friends thrown in to keep me connected with the outside world.

What bliss!

I'm Stuck

Ahhhhh, frustrating paper trails...

I am trying to get my income tax paperwork together and I just keep hitting snags.

Someone I need to talk to is out of town.

Passwords aren't working. Passwords SCHMASSWORDS!! I have so many of them!!

Trying to get information from college for last year seems so complicated. What was my student number again?!

Can't find a receipt from a course I took last fall and many other receipts all hang on that important one.

I've been putting this off for so long and now I know why.

So with my back getting sore while I'm getting nowhere I just decided to lay down for some relief.

Waiting for Mom to call so I can take her out for lunch and shopping!

Temporary distraction and a blessing is in store I'm sure!

The paper work isn't going anywhere and the piles will still be all over my office when I return.

Guaranateed.

It is a serious mess in there.

My Prayer

We are not called by God to do extraordinary things,

but to do ordinary things with extraordinary love.

Jean Vanier

Spring Again Oh Hallelujah

Funny how one day can just feel so....different.

All alive and beautiful and warm and inviting.

The earth is celebrating - the sun is giving life

Allowing frozen areas to thaw and forcing the white remnants to disappear.

Warming, warming.

Anticipation is in the air. Is in my heart.

And holidays are almost here.

I can feel the joy at school - the eagerness in staff and students

To break loose and shake off schedules.

Sleep in, rest, play.

Dance and sing as the sleepy world awakens.

These brighter days are magnificent.

And the first day of Spring is officially on Sunday

which is officially my favorite girl's 20th birthday.

And I won't be with her this year. Again.

Which is becoming more all right with me.

She's at school and has no time off and I'd be more in the way than not if I went to join her,

so it's probably better this way.

Anyways, gifts have been prepared.

One parcel sent off today and the other will be packaged off soon as well.

As soon as I get it.

It's a big wonderful secret that I've been working on for a couple of weeks.

Fun to think of her receiving these love bundles from home.

She, who is trying to figure out life down in the California sunshine.

Where it doesn't always feel like a holiday.

And I'm trusting my Loving Father to minister life to this precious daughter

In ways that I can't even imagine.

I'm asking for Him to do exceedingly and abundantly MORE than all I can even ask or imagine for her. MORE than she can even imagine.

Revelation of His love in tangible ways and more...

Guess What?

I'm becoming a quilter!

Yes, under the fine tutelage of my master quilter friend I have been working on a project for my dear Son and future daughter's wedding gift.

A quilt - made from fabrics chosen by her and sewed together with love and prayers by my eager nimble fingers - HA!!

It's just so exciting to be creating something and to see the pieces become squares and the squares become rows and the rows become a giant wonderful patchwork of color and beauty.

Today we took it in to be "stippled". Or something.

And in the process of taking it in and purchasing some extra fabric for the binding (don't I just sound like a miss quilter know-it-all?!) I was introduced to a sewing machine that has a little button to push to make it sew, freeing up both of my hands to maneuver the fabric!

Of course it was on a ridiculously good sale, and then on top of that it was the floor model bringing the price even lower and I did an amazing thing.

I bought her on the spot.

Her name is GRACE!

How could I not? Because who doesn't need more GRACE?

Me, for sure.

I am going to be doing a whole lot of quilting by the looks of things!

My quilting friend was more than encouraging about the purchase.

She should have gotten some commission the way I see at it.

Anyways, I now have Grace in my life and we're about to make some masterpieces together.

On my way home I got a bouquet of beautiful cut flowers for my mama and delivered them to her so she too could get a foretaste of what is coming so soon.

Even in the midst of trials (the son back ended by a semi yesterday and getting whiplash again, the daughter doing battle, the sister fighting off darkness and the mother on morphine for arm pain and the father very obviously unsaved) there is so much to rejoice about.

There are promises that are just waiting to burst into life and action

And I'm continuing to call them forth.

Faith is the evidence of things hoped for...

Just like Spring, they're coming and I will rejoice in the God who doesn't let His word go forth without it accomplishing what He desires.

Beautiful Truth

You, LORD, are all I want!

You are my choice,

and you keep me safe.

You make my life pleasant,

and my future is bright.

I praise you, LORD,

for being my guide.

Even in the darkest night,

your teachings fill my mind.

I will always look to you,

as you stand beside me

and protect me from fear.

With all my heart,

I will celebrate,

and I can safely rest.

I am your chosen one.

You won't leave me in the grave

or let my body decay.

You have shown me

the path to life,

and you make me glad

by being near to me.

Sitting at your right side, I will always be joyful.

Psalm 16: 5 - 11