End of One Chapter, A New One Begins

We helped my mother-in-law over the last several days with a yard sale. In essence she took most everything that she and Joe accumulated over the last 60 years and got rid of most of it. She kept a few things that meant something to her and parted with the rest. I was surprised at how difficult it was for me to pack up Joe's clothes that didn't sell. The jacket that I have seen him wear for years and his sweater, I didn't expect the emotions to surface that did. I know how difficult it was for me so I can't imagine how this has been for her. She was extremely strong through it all.

She also collects buttons. She has not only collected them but sorted, separated them, sewn them on "cards" and has had them as long as I have known her (23 years), actually longer. She was going to have to part with them. Funny how I really don't hold things close, they are just things. But for some reason I just couldn't see her part with what she held so dear. Needless to say we are now storing a massive amount of buttons. I wouldn't, actually I couldn't have done anything otherwise.

She is now living with her oldest daughter, Georgia. This should be a great mix. Willadene is one who needs to mother and Georgia is one who could use a little mothering. Please pray for this new chapter in their lives, for the strength and courage to face whatever the future holds. Also, for some much needed joy and laughter, they (we all) could use more.

Toilet Seats

I decided it was time for a new toilet seat. Went to Wal-Mart, looked at the array of choices of new toilet seats. As I was trying to figure out the difference between a $5.00 and $18.00 toilet seat I decided that really there was no difference and if there happened to be a difference in quality then I could buy 3 five dollar toilet seats to one eighteen dollar toilet seat. Made sense in my head. I brought home my five dollar toilet seat and soon discovered the difference. The difference lies in the installation. After removing the old seat, by the way....ewwwe, I proceeded to tried to install the new one. Tried is the key word. As I attempted to tighten the plastic screws I sucessfully tore up the plastic screws. Hilary tried to help. Two of us ALMOST got one on. Seeing that there was little plastic left on the head of the screw it dawned on me that we would never get it back off and when you remove the used toilet seat, it isn't nearly as nice as when you put it on. So I gathered up the chewed up screws took back the five dollar toilet seat and purchased the eighteen dollar one. Got home, installed it in less than 2 minutes. The difference: 5 dollars, 15-20 minutes of frustration in an unsuccessful installation, another trip to Wal-Mart (more time, more gas). 18 dollars, one trip, 2 minutes installation time. Well worth the 13 dollar difference. Who knew.

The Shack

I finished the book The Shack, by William P. Young, over the weekend. Can I just say AMAZING! It's a must read!

Who Owns Who?

I have been home all day not feeling the best. I am beginning to think the dogs actually own me, especially Lola. Lola, the cute little black pug, has had me up and down all day long putting her in and out. It's not that she goes out to potty. Nope she goes out to eat stuff, like rocks and whatever else she can find. She decides when we will play and when we will stop playing. She is even sitting on my shoulder, like a parrot, as I type this. I clean up after her, I feed her, I entertain her. Yes, I believe it's true, she owns me. When did this happen? I thought I bought her.

Heart of the Home

I grew up hearing the “kitchen is the heart of the home” and in my family it really was. Whether I was at home, my grandma’s or any of my aunt’s houses everyone seemed to gather in the kitchen. Life happened around the table. We would play games, cards, talk, laugh and yes, there were also times of tears. It all felt so natural. In the midst of life happening around the table it seemed as if meals came out of nowhere, you were playing, or whatever, and there it was, your next meal. Life was simple around the table. Many good times were had in the kitchen, even in the worst of situations. Life in the “heart” of the home just seemed right.

My family still spends their fair share of time “around the table” less now that the kids are older and have jobs and lives of their own. Life however doesn’t seem to be as simple as it was growing up around the table. Being in the kitchen is comforting in a way. I guess it brings back great memories. I grew up baking. I love to bake. Cooking is okay, it’s a necessity but baking it’s just fun. One of the quirks I have when it comes to cooking or baking is I have to start with a clean kitchen. Yes, I know I am only going to mess it up and then of course have to turn around and clean it once again. Seems like more work? Maybe, but it has to be clean when I start or things just aren’t right.

It’s really the same way when I go to work. I clean, that's my job, I enjoy it, it's good money, few hours and I make my schedule, I enjoy all these aspects of my job. I have noticed that when I start cleaning (even in my home) I start with the kitchen. I could start anywhere but I start there. When I start in the kitchen things seem to fall into place. There are times when I need to begin elsewhere but when I do, things just don’t feel right. I know it sounds odd but it’s just the way I am.

Life has held a lot of changes for me the past year or so and in the midst of all the change God shared with me a little insight. He is so amazing in the way He helps us to understand. One day in the midst of cleaning (which by the way you have a lot of alone time with God) I was praying about what’s next and He made it clear to me it’s a lot like my kitchen. My heart, with what is next, is a lot like my quirk with the kitchen. Like my quirk, I have to start with a clean kitchen before I can make something. He made me realize where I needed to start is by “cleaning up my heart” so to speak. Just as I won’t bake in a dirty kitchen, I don’t think He likes do much with a mucky heart. Can I just say this was a WOW moment for me. I have been working on the whole heart thing and well, it’s a lot less cluttered than it used to be. It’s a work in progress, as am I.



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Weekend With the Family

We went to Toledo for the weekend to visit my parents. It's been a very long time since we have been there. Most of our time the last 6-8 months has been dedicated to Bob's family. It was a nice change and very relaxing. We took my mother-in-law with us, thought it may be good for her to get away. I think it was. We just hung out, played games, played the Wii, ate (alot), went to Mr. Freeze (yummy ice cream) and missed out on fireworks- due to flooding in the field. We laughed alot and just relaxed, it was nice. A much needed weekend.