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For Today: Saturday, September 30 , 2017
Outside my window … Today, Annie's family took me on a nice hike at Dedisse Park up in the mountains in Evergreen, Colorado. The views around the lake were gorgeous.
I am thinking...
I'm considering doing the 31 days of 5 minute free writes this year. My mind is in a much better place than the other times I've participated. Slide on over to my sister blog tomorrow, October 1st, for the first entry. The plan is to complete each entry based on one of my art pieces.
I'm thinking about my new job and what it will be like.
I'm pondering the subject matter of my new Pastor's podcast Discipled by Jesus. After four episodes, I'm still completely lost. I don't think it's him; Hopefully, when I hear the next episode, something will click.
I am thankful...
For my new job.
Thankful that I've gotten my car back and that the repair was relatively inexpensive.
Thankful for my nine year chip at Celebrate Recovery. Although I'm not an integral part of the program anymore, I still live the principles and collect my yearly chips when I can. Blessedly, my new church has a CR.
From the Workshop...
Found a really cute crochet boot cuff pattern. It works really well for knee high boots. I managed to convert it to an ankle boot pattern also. I'm thinking of selling them for about $10 a pair. If you want a pair, let me know what size and color at auntiesworkshop@outlook.com.
I am reading...
Currently off the shelf (among the pile):
Side Hustle by Chris Guillebeau
The Turquoise Table by Kristin Schell
Talk to Me by Lynette Hagin.
I am learning...
Once I move, I really want a Keurig. Where I'm house/cat sitting has one, and I'm enjoying being able to brew one cup of coffee or tea at a time.
Favorite Quotes of the Week...
I'll just leave this here.
I am looking forward to...
Church tomorrow.
Starting my new job Monday.
Bible study on Wednesday at work.
Finding a place to live closer to my job. Distance isn't the problem; traffic is. It takes me an hour or more to travel the 17 miles to and from work. Not an efficient use of my time...or nerves.
Psalm 121:1-3 - I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. 3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Isaiah 49:15-16 - Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.16Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
Who likes to be dependent? Get that hand up. Anyone? Anybody?
Most of us don't like to depend on someone else. I don't. I often fight thoughts that I'm being too needy, that I will be forgotten or let down, or that it shows a lacking on my part. I spent my early years with no choice to be dependent on others. Even when people understood why I needed help, they often threw it up in my face. Some of it I deserved; some I didn't.
In Girl Scouts, we used to sing this little chorus:
No man is an island, No man stands alone, Each man's joy is joy to me, Each man's grief is my own.…
I tried to understand it, but often found myself alone to suffer my own grief and brief joy. Again, some deserved, some not. As I grew in my relationship with Christ, I was often confronted with the fact that God created us for community, but still I often balked (or at least chaffed) at the notion.
The Lord has used all the changes from this year to show me that I can depend on Him. He has used people from South Carolina to Colorado and beyond to show me that His love and help knows no bounds. He's shown me that desiring to be independent of His people is to attempt to be independent of Him.
What pets did you have while growing up? Tell us a little something about them.
I had a few goldfish in a tank at one point. They lived a short while. I gave up after flushing the last one to the Mississippi. I was given a couple of finches when I was in high school. They were fun to have...until trouble started. The male pecked the female to death and stomped the eggs she'd laid. A few weeks later, he died. It's just weird, I'm good with animals. Apparently, I'm better at keeping other people's pets than maintaining my own.
What is one thing you absolutely must accomplish today?
Nothing. I had no "have-to-do's" today (Tuesday).
Where were you ten years ago? What were you doing there?
I was back in JackVegas. I had just "retired" from teaching preschool, and was seeking a new job.
September 26th is National Dumpling Day. Did you celebrate? Apple dumpling, xiao long bao (steamed Chinese dumpling), chicken and dumplings, pirogi, matzoh balls, or gnocchi...which dumpling on this list would be your dumpling of choice? Have you ever made homemade dumplings of any kind?
Didn't know there was a National Dumpling Day to celebrate. Chicken and dumplings would be on my list. I've tried to make them, but wasn't successful. May be a dish I'll try to make again when I've got my own place.
'There are two kinds of adventurers: those who go truly hoping to find an adventure and those who go secretly hoping they don't.' William Trogdon So which kind are you?
It depends. I don't mind good adventures. Now, unpleasant surprises? I'm not very fond of. I've had enough of both this year. I need some calm normalcy for a while.
Insert your own random thought here.
Well, it's official, I was offered one of the job positions I was up for. I go for orientation tomorrow (Wednesday). I also got my car back today (Tuesday). The problem wasn't the gas; it was a faulty old as Methuselah crankshaft position sensor. I believe it will now run well until I can get something newer. Again, God provides!
So, my big crochet project is now finished. Mrs. Joyce chronicled her and her sweet husband's home build out on the lake. They have moved in and have shared many enjoyable (and some not so enjoyable) moments from living in their dream home. I stitched this afghan as a housewarming present. That's why I couldn't share it earlier. Thanks, Joyce, for doing me the honor allowing me to create for you.
I am reading...
Currently off the shelf (among the pile):
Side Hustle by Chris Guillebeau
The Turquoise Table by Kristin Schell
Talk to Me by Lynette Hagin.
Books I've finished since my last Daybook:
Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen. My review is here.
I May Be Wrong, But I Doubt It. by Charles Barkley. My review is here.
Whatever Tomorrow Brings by Lori Wick. Book #1 of the Californians Series.
As Time Goes By by Lori Wick. Book #2 of the Californians Series.
Sean Donovan by Lori Wick. Book #3 of the Californians Series.
Donovan's Daughter by Lori Wick. Book #4 of the Californians Series.
I am learning...
My car problem may not be the gas, but we still don't know exactly what it is.
I'm cat/house sitting for a friend. Today, I learned how to scoop clean a litter box. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.
Favorite Quotes of the Week...
"E-mail, telephone, and alcohol are the three primary ways people get brave." - Charles Barkley
"If someone has the power to offend you, they have the power to control you. Forgive and LIVE in freedom . #grace "- Jeremiah Johnson, Pastor, GracePoint Church, Georgetown, KY.
"I've been doing art since I was young." - Beatrix Rim, age 5.
Accept is kind of like the word tolerance. Everyone thinks it means one thing, but it means something totally different. The dictionary definition of accept is: "consent to receive (a thing offered)." To be accepting does not mean that I have to consent to receive everything offered. Everything isn't good or healthy for me. I can't accept every situation, every teaching, or every relationship that comes along. Acceptance can include the word "no." If I say no, that means I'm accepting that something isn't good for me to receive.
This prompt also reminded me of the first part of the Serenity Prayer: "God, grant me the serenity to accept things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know that difference." This isn't a fatalistic view of life; it just means that we can't control everything and must trust God and put things in His hands. That I can accept.
Blue Bell's new Pink Camo 'n Cream Ice Cream. This isn't your standard Neapolitan (which is good in it's own right). It's strawberry ice cream, milk chocolate ice cream, and white cheesecake ice cream swirled into pink camouflage. I tried it this weekend, and it's yummy. It was worth the splurge. Don't worry, I won't be splurging again on something like that until at least November.
What job would you be terrible at? What makes you think so?
Speaking of food: Food service worker. I worked in fast food one summer and that was enough for me. I can't imagine myself putting up with what I see waiters and waitresses go through. Here's a hint, if you get a really good server at a restaurant, tip them well. And don't eat anywhere that you know pools the servers' tips; that's just asking for mediocre service. Do you realize how little they are paid for so much work? Forget getting out your calculator for the exact "politically correct" percentage. The best advice I ever heard about tipping was from one of my favorite ministers, Kenneth Copeland. He said, "Sometimes it's a tip, sometimes it's an offering."
When did you last take a fall? What's something you're falling for (in a good way) these days?
The last bad fall I took was probably two or three years ago in the Winn Dixie parking lot. I'd just gotten out of church and needed to pick up something for lunch. It had just rained and I was wearing very old shoes (that I promptly threw away after this episode). I slid in this newly paved, very slick parking lot and landed hard on my hands and knees (mostly my knees). Like any other self preserving human, I was hoping no one saw me. They did. Two gentlemen walked over and asked if I was OK. I popped straight up and said (through gritted teeth), "Yeah, I'm good." and proceeded to hobble my way through the store. Oh man, my knees were on fire! I'm walking through the store thinking, Just act normal. Yes, I know you're most likely bleeding and you've probably broken something, don't embarrass yourself. When I got home, I assessed the damage. Yes, I was bleeding. No, I'm pretty sure I didn't break anything, but I did have to wear a knee brace I borrowed from someone for a couple of weeks to cut down on the pain and swelling of the "one" knee.
Do y'all have that "one" knee? The one that takes the brunt of every mishap? The one you bang into EVERYTHING!? The one every toddler you meet headbutts in greeting? Or the "one" toe that finds EVERY coffee table or bedpost on the planet? Yeah, me too. Bless my heart.
Can't really think of anything I've "fallen for."
According to the Travel Channel here are some of America's best fall festivals-National Apple Harvest Festival (near Arendtsville PA, close to Gettysburg), Harvest on the Harbor (Portland Maine), German Village Festival (Columbus Ohio), Wellfleet Oyster Fest (Cape Cod), and Wine and Chile Fiesta (Santa Fe NM). Have you ever been to any of the festivals listed? Nope. Which one appeals to you most? The Apple Harvest Festival in PA sounds the most appealing to me. Does your hometown have any sort of fall celebration, and if so will you make it a point to attend?
Back home, there are several, but I've never attended any (I usually learned about them after the fact). However, in my new home, there are bookoodles of festivals and fairs. One that caught my eye is the local Punkin Chunkin' Festival in Aurora, CO. Along with music, arts and crafts, and food vendors and other festival activities, there is a pumpkin chunking contest where teams are asked to be inventive with their pumpkin launching apparatuses and are judged on distance and accuracy. This sounds like so much fun. It's in October, so hopefully I'll be settled into a new job and schedule so I can enjoy the festivities.
What is your goodbye message to summer?
See you next go round. Hopefully, next year, we can play together a lot more.
Insert your own random thought(s) here.
Anybody who gets offended by raw cotton in a vase or as fall decoration needs to have their attention got...repeatedly...with a two-by-four...or an aluminum folding chair. If that kind of dumb was put in a pill, it would be called "Extra Strength Stupid." Just as with the asinine decision by ESPN not to allow a sportscaster named Robert Lee (who is ASIAN btw) to commentate on a southern school's ball game for fear of offence, we need to apologize to every doorknob we've called dumb. If you know what I'm talking about, fine. If not, don't worry about it. It's not even worth Googling it.
I've been called in for final interviews for one of the jobs I've been vying for. Pray saints.
The Auntie mobile is dead. That's the bad news. The good news is 1) it died in the church parking lot, not on the highway, 2) I just so happened God miraculously set it up for me to have struck up a conversation having NOTHING to do with my car with (unbeknownst to me) the wife of a mechanic who took great care of me once she saw I was having car issues, C) that most likely by the time you read this, the problem will be assessed and repaired, and #) my car trouble was most likely not related to the cheap gas I bought. I filled up with good gas over the weekend, and the thing still died.
OK, so I've been here a month. I won't say I'm a little homesick, but I did just watch every episode of Sh%t Southern Women Say on YouTube. All better now.
"Thank you for your support." - Bartles and Jaymes commercials
"Support the Fort" - slogan to try to stop the closure of Fort McClellan, AL in the 90's. Unfortunately, it didn't work.
Love and Support
Support beams
Support group
Support system
James 5:16 - (AMP) Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].
The word support best sums up all that has happened the past few months. In preparation for my trip out west, many of my friends supported me with gifts, money, prayers, and words of encouragement. Their support continued as a made my way from state to state, sending and receiving text messages and Facebook posts all along the way.
Now, I have been in Colorado exactly one month and my support system holds firmly. As I enter into the next phase--employment, moving, and setting up my new digs, I will still need help and support from others. Whether it's a helping hand to lift or put together furniture, or advice, encouragement, and prayers, my support team will still be a loving part of my life. I look forward to seeing what God will do.
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Depends on the picture, doesn't it? Pictures without context can say so many things with the interpretation in the eye of the beholder. Giving some context would help a viewer understand the message behind the picture.
Have you ever driven any part of the Pacific Coast Highway? If so what was your favorite stop? If not, is this sort of trip on your bucket list?
No, I haven't. I would enjoy seeing the Pacific Coast, however, I'm not interested in any more long drives for a while. I wouldn't mind flying into San Francisco and letting someone else drive the tour.
How do the changing seasons affect you? As the seasons change do you find yourself looking more forward or backward? Which season-season transition bothers you most? Why do you suppose that is?
I've done a lot better about finding the beauty and joy of each season and not letting the change bring me down. I look forward to fall and to Christmas. The only transition that concerns me is winter. This will be my first winter in Colorado. I know when it snows it will be beautiful, but y'all know we Southerners don't drive well in snow--we don't get enough experience. My friends have told me that it's a drier snow, that the whole town won't shut down, and that the city is more than prepared to deal with it. Still, I hope to find housing near enough to my job so that if I don't want to drive, I can just walk.
It's your birthday and you get to pick the dinner menu. What are we having? Do you ever lie about your age?
Appetizer: Spinach dip, veggies and chips Main Course: Voodoo Pasta from Effina's in Jacksonville Dessert - Red Velvet cake and Butter Pecan ice cream. Post meal beverage - Welch's Red Sparkling grape juice.
No, I don't lie about my age. Getting older doesn't bother me. Like my mom, I don't look my age and I try never to act my age. #BlackDontCrack
What's a life lesson you've learned recently?
I learned that the lowest grade of gasoline is not 87 octane like at home. It's 85, which I'd never heard of until I got to Colorado. I also learned the hard way that my car does NOT like 85 octane. I'm trying to burn up a tank of cheap gas I bought when I first got here. My poor car sounds like a lawn mower with a chest cold. I've used gas treatment and cleaners to help the Auntie Mobile, so she's running roughly, but still running. Hopefully a tank of good 87 octane will set her right again. God has to hold all this together until I can get something newer.
Insert your own random thought here.
Y'all, I'm on the verge of gainful employment! Please agree with me that God will give me a clear path and answer to what job to choose.
Another of God's blessings is the church community He's sent me to. The three worship services I've attended have been great. I'm already involved in a ladies' Bible study until I start work. This weekend, the church is having a community day where they go to different areas of the city and church to help others with building projects, cleaning projects, and yard work. We'll see how I can help.
Work in progress. Working on it. Slow Men Working Work out. Work it, girl! Worked over. Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, it's off to work we go.
Ephesians 4:28 - (KJV) Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Years ago, my entire paradigm on work shifted when this scripture was brought out in a message I was listening to. My goal for work isn't to simply get by with just enough for me. God has a much bigger plan for work than that. I should be able to live well enough on my wages and have plenty to give.
For years, I barely eked out a living at low wage, low hour jobs. The one time I had a fairly good paying job, it was the worst job environment I'd ever been in. I had nothing to give of myself, plus not much to give to help anyone else.
I'm in a new environment with new opportunities, and a new outlook on work and life. I've actually got a job interview Monday. If I get this job, it will be a big step in the right direction. I look forward to the Lord showing me creative ways to give out of my work.
When you think about your future what do you fear most? Hope for the most?
Oh gracious, how much time to you have? This new adventure has been a load of fun, however, fear of failure still niggles in the back of my mind. I keep reminding myself that God wouldn't have sent me 1,400 miles across the country to fail since I was doing a bang-up job of it back home. And yet, I have such hope for the future. God has already shown His provision through the trip. He's already brought me community through the new church family I've found. I'm being well taken care of. I need to keep trusting that He'll continue taking care of me. The job market is very hopeful. There's plenty of jobs; it's just finding the right one for me.
September is National Chicken Month. How often is chicken on the menu at your house? What's a favorite dish made with chicken? What's something you're a 'chicken' about doing or trying?
My chicken stir fry
I'm from the South, so eating chicken is kind of a requirement for citizenship. I usually eat chicken several times a week. I've got several tasty dishes I make from chicken: chicken salad, chicken stir fry, and lemon pepper chicken strips top my list.
I'm chicken about the project I'm asking for your feedback about in the "random thought" section.
What are three things you don't own but wish you did?
A house.
A newer car
All the books on my Amazon wish list...and then some.
Would you rather be a jack of all trades or a master of one? Elaborate. If you answered one, which one?
It depends. I like learning new things. Being versatile keeps me from getting bored, and gives me more opportunities in the workplace.
Ketchup or mustard? On what?
Ketchup - French fries.
Mustard - hot dogs, bologna sandwiches, spicy mustard on subs, regular mustard in my potato and chicken salad. HOWEVER, I do not like them made with only mustard. Mayonnaise is the primary condiment for that. Honey mustard on chicken nuggets.
Both - Hamburgers
Insert your own random thought here.
I need a little constructive feedback from y'all. If you don't mind, read about it here.
