A Nice Warm Snuggie

Okay...I think the HIGH today was 20 degrees. I am sick of COLD!!!!

I got up at the usual 6:10 a.m., got dressed, took Max out, then turned the TV on before waking up Ms. Divine. The wind was blowing rather hard and cold and I thought I'd just check to see if school was delayed or...whatever. So, along the bottom of the screen I finally saw that her school was delayed for 2 hours. Fine. I laid down on the couch, pulled the blanket over me and tried to fall asleep. I knew Troy would be getting up before I would have to get Ms. Divine moving. But when he got up, so did she. She went into the computer room to get her cell phone and came out and happily announced that school had been canceled (she had multiple IMs on there from various friends letting her know that they were mad they got up only to find out that school got canceled). I looked at Troy and said, "What for? There's no snow!" To which he replied, "It's coming down pretty hard!" I looked out of the closed curtains and it was flying! Fine. She went back to bed...I stayed under the blanket for another half hour but knew I wasn't going to sleep so I got up and took my shower, etc. Then I got the other one up.

Unfortunately for him, even when there is snow and ice his school is still in session.

By 9:30 the snow had stopped and the sun was out...and the snow on the roads was turning into slush and puddles from the heat of the sun rays on it. Once TJ was done with his online Sci Fi Lit class, the two of us went over to the church. He has promised Brett that he would clean the upstairs of the Youth Center this week. The weather had not been cooperative and he also had started a new semester this week with new teachers so he was trying to work things in. When Brett was there, TJ couldn't be and vice versa. So I told TJ I would help him clean this week since he couldn't get in there until today. Good thing I did! I am guessing that place hasn't been cleaned since last summer!!! So now this will be TJ's volunteer work once a week for the next 4-5 months. If he has time to help pack up food for the food pantry he will do that also...but I may be IT.

Troy had to go off to Dayton today to help troubleshoot some avionic problem for a customer. It must have been something becuz he wore jeans and tennies...not like him. He will be getting a few new customers in Indiana...the Indianapolis Colts and the Indiana Pacers. I don't care too much about the Pacers (boooo!) but I am a secondary Colts fan...that means I will always be a Browns fan FIRST but I will also cheer for the Colts.



Max is becoming a little more tame. I figured out how to get him to settle down when he starts getting out of control...same way I could get those wild kids in my classrooms to settle down...speak slowly and softly and evenly to him. I also place a hand on his back and one on his chest. That way he feels comfort and I can feel his heart rate and breathing slow. Once I can feel him relax then I let him stand back up. So far so good. Such a big baby! LOL

Well, I am going to go find a nice warm snuggie to crawl into.

It Doesn't Cost a Thing

My emotions and thoughts were tested again today. We got quite a few inches of snow last night, then freezing rain on top which made quite a thick crust, then many inches of snow on top of that. Troy made three different 'trips' outside with his snow shovel to clear the driveway, the walkway up to the door and ALL of the sidewalk all the way around. Since we live on a corner lot, we have quite a bit of sidewalk to keep clear.

TJ and I have helped the neighbors at times clear sidewalks and driveways. When they get around to clearing things out, they do theirs. And just BARELY theirs. With Troy out there struggling so much, Larry across the way came out with a brand new snowblower. He did his driveway and walkway, his old spinster neighbor's driveway and walkway (the one TJ helped out on Saturday), THEN he did the sidewalk for the ppl behind us...while Troy was out there struggling with the snow. He never offered him any help. The ones beside us I cleared their sidewalk for them twice. They have never offered any help, either. Old Mr. Kyle across the street has a snow blower...he did his walkway, etc. yesterday...twice. He didn't bother helping anyone else. The guy beside HIM (Corky) has a snowblower...he does his driveway but doesn't bother going beyond his own lines, either.

Where we used to live had kinder ppl and I didn't know it. There was a guy that lives a few houses down...although I was never exactly sure which house. I didn't know him, he didn't know us, but when it snowed he would get his snowblower out and take it all the way down the sidewalk...past 3-4 houses doing, not only everyone's sidewalks, he would clear their driveways too. It didn't cost him a lot of time. He was quick at it. It cost him gas and I did manage to get outside once when he was doing it to thank him. He just smiled and nodded and said he didn't mind. He never asked for anything...he just did it cuz he could.

I told Troy that if we had a snowblower, I would do most of the sidewalks and even a few driveways...take for instance the old couple across the street from the Kyle's. Now Larry did his driveway and that of the old lady next door but he couldn't go down the sidewalk just a BIT farther to do the driveway and sidewalk for that old couple! Nor could Mr. Kyle be bothered to go across the road!

My father has always been kind to others that way. He has used his snowblower to help others clear their driveways. And when his neighbor Ray was alive, he would mow grass for others...and my dad would help out Ray when he got feeble.

My parents have always put themselves out there and were always helping others out. They didn't ask for anything in return...not even so much as a pat on the back. They did it out of the kindness of their Christian hearts. I have learned that from them.

I get so very upset when other ppl have the attitude,"What's in it for me?" well...let's see...just the happiness of knowing that you did a good deed! It is a good thing that GOD doesn't have that attitude!

On the other hand, when someone does something nice for me, I make sure to let them know I appreciate it! Like 'the snowblower guy'. I don't think anyone even thanked him for doing what he did.

I always thank the one in the store that bags my groceries and let them know I appreciate it. I know it is their job but does that mean they should never be given so much as a kind word? It kind of helps them get through the day. I even told one woman that waited on me in McDonalds (in front of her supervisor) that she was the most helpful and pleasant person I had ever had wait on me at ANY McDonalds EVER. She looked so surprised and grinned and said, "Why thank you! You made my whole week!" Let's face it...no matter what you do for a living, it isn't all that pleasant and it is nice when someone gives you ANY kind of a compliment.

So, that is my goal for this year...one compliment given per week...at least. It really isn't that hard. And it doesn't cost anything.


Max in the snow


Max trying to dig through the snow and ice to find the ground!

My Bumper Sticker

Today's sermon hit hard...in the heart. It is something that my whole family has been struggling with, especially, for this last month and a half.

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." ~Luke 6:27-28

I have been praying that God would help me be able to forgive and love the enemy. It is so difficult for me to understand anyone that is so consumed with hate and self loathing that their greatest desire is to make everyone else around them as miserable as possible. They seek to destroy those that did nothing disparaging to them.

This is a very difficult lesson. I KNOW that I should feel sorry for them becuz they really don't know any better...their heart is too dark and hardened. I pray for them as well as myself...that I can deal with them in the way that Christ wants me to.

My daughter discussed this with me also...how the one girl in the youth group is not someone that she would want to hang out with becuz of things she does, BUT she knows she should be friendlier to her. Sometimes, they just need to know that someone is not looking down on them as less.

I know in the long run only God can change their hearts and save them...but He uses us as his 'salesmen'. We are to show how good God is...how He can make them a better person...how salvation really is a plus, not a minus.

I should wear one of those bumper stickers on my 'bumper'...Please Be Patient...God isn't Done With Me Yet."

Everyday Ritual

Okay...I was trying to catch up with some stuff on TiVo this morning after dropping Ms. Divine off at school. I have been watching a series of sermons by John Haggai and somehow I had seen the first installment then skipped to the third installment so this morning I got the second one. He had a list of things (10) on how to get through a problem. The first one jumped out at me immediately. He said that you have to take responsibility for what you did to be in this problem.

That is something that took me a long time and a lot of praying to fully understand. There are times when it really does seem that through no fault of your own, that a problem has dropped down on your head. BUT, most times, if you really think about it...it has occurred because you made a stupid decision. It could be something like going to a part of town that is questionable OR going somewhere at a time that was not the best to go, etc.

There are other problems that occur that may not really be meant to be a problem but you can't see it. For instance, consider the man that was late getting started for work because he had to drop his son off at daycare and the son took too long eating his breakfast. And because he was late getting to work, he wasn't in those Twin Towers when they collapsed. Now...he can see how his 'problem' kept him out of the way of a much larger problem. If you get in a fender bender on the way down the road, you may never know just what that problem saved you from! Or how that problem forced you off in a different direction that kept you from stepping into a worse problem. Maybe God was trying to get your attention! You may never know.

For the things we can figure out...I have taken to sitting with my family and talking it through. Just what was Your/Our part in getting into this problem? Identify/rectify/learn. If we cannot identify it, then at least try to identify why this problem MIGHT have occurred. If we can't identify that, then that is where faith comes in...have faith that God has a reason. Have faith that God will get you through it. Thank God that He is there and has the reigns.

This takes daily reminding sometimes. But like locking the door of the house each time you leave, it will become a part of your normal, everyday ritual.

A Little More Appreciation

"Everybody said Anybody could do the job. But when it was all over Nobody showed up!"

That line was written in the comment section of another blog I have. It pertains to what I was shocked to notice today...

The assistant pastor called me this morning to ask if Jr. and I could come and help him at the food pantry. Not a problem. We showed up and helped pack various bags of food to have them ready as people showed up for it. A few came while we were there. We also found out that there is only one other woman in the whole church that helps him with it...when she can. She is elderly and in not the best of health. He also told about the government truck that comes once a month to deliver food for the pantry...and he only has one other guy that helps him with that...and that guy fell on the ice and broke his leg. I guess I know what Sr. AND Jr. are going to be doing once a month.

It is just always so amazing to me that a church can have the pews full of ppl and very few show up to help out with anything. If it is some 'social event' they are there with bells on!

Our church also has a used clothing store it runs with another local church. The women in the church are asked to volunteer to help sort the clothes one to two times a month and man the cash register at various hours of operation. The more that help out with that, the more money the church gets for their other charity organizations.
Well, I guess I can put some time in on that...and Ms. Divine said she would help with the 'sorting event' when they have it in the evening.

Back to the food pantry...they rely on the government supplies each month and around the holidays there is usually an influx of food from people donating to charities that divide it up amongst the area food pantries. And in March the Boy Scouts collect food donations and divide it up among the food pantries. But what about all the other time? I was kind of shocked at the shortage of supplies and what meager supplies these ppl have to rely on. The food pantry does what it can. Sunday offerings sometimes bring money donations that are marked for the food pantry...and Pastor Jim has to spend it wisely.

I know ppl are struggling sometimes to pay their bills as it is...BELIEVE me I know. However, if each family in that church could donate $5-10 per month it really would make a difference in what the food pantry can provide!

Okay...I'm done with that.

I just know that when we got done there, and we emptied the van of the gathered up pop cans for the donation barrels for the youth center, we got home and Jr. opened the refrigerator to get something to drink. I said, "makes you appreciate even more what is in there, doesn't it?"

Nutshell

Even on Sunday there isn't any rest from the phone company...per se. Our digital phone doesn't seem to be working today. So, I went online to 'talk' with a representative to get it taken care of. I have to WAIT! It seems they are experienceing a higher than usual service time. Gee...I wonder why?

TJ did a good deed this afternoon. The one that is across the street to the side of us that we have affectionately (okay...not so affectionately) dubbed 'Crazy Piano Lady' was out shoveling snow from her driveway. So TJ went over with a shovel and asked her if she would like some help. She said, "I don't have any money on me." He said, "Oh, it's not for money!" She was kinda shocked! Then she said, "Well, then, okay!" She had already shoveled Larry's driveway next door. Like Larry isn't an able bodied guy! Crazy Piano Lady is old and rather frail looking.

As to why we call her that...she gives piano lessons on occassion AND we saw her going down the street looking through other ppl's garbage one night...apparently looking for something in particular. When she found it she went skipping down the middle of the road until she made it back to her place. I could never remember her name anyway.

The temperature seemed to be warmer here last night than it is today. It almost reached the freezing mark. Troy had Max out for a late night constitutional when suddenly a huge mass of wind whipped up and came down on them quickly...dropping small snowy-icy pellets. The both ran for the house.

Max is getting some cabin fever. No one wants to go out into the frigidness and take him for a walk. He wouldn't be able to take it anyway. He's pretty much driving me nuts. He sticks his nose into EVERYTHING!!!

Bethany has had school off since they got out early last Wednesday. They had scheduled to have Friday and this Monday off anyway. And TJ has school off tomorrow. This week is just career week for him at school anyway.

I, on the other hand, have to haul myself out into the cold cruel world extra early in the morning. Troy has to be at the airport by 6 a.m., if not earlier. I hope his car doesn't have a breakdown cuz I am going to wear the same duds I wear when I take Ms. Divine to school...lounge pants and a t-shirt.

So...that's it...the kids and I are going to go check out the 'family service' tonight at church. The Youth Pastor insists the kids will like it...so we'll see.

Skipping the Subway

We finally got the snow they have been threatening us with since last Thursday. It keeps coming...like hillbillies to pig roast...a never ending stream.

Bethany got out of school two hours early. I went to pull into the school parking lot and I never saw so many cars there! And with it only being half plowed, ppl were parking any which way and anywhere. Surprisingly it emptied out fairly quickly. Max has been begging to go with me to drop Bethany off and school and pick her up but I didn't take him on this trip. I didn't know how slippery the roads were going to be and I didn't want to end up knocking my dog out!

Since the snow was so frozen and light, I used the shop broom to clear the driveway and ALL that sidewalk! Then there was Corky across the road with the only snowblower on the street...he cleared his driveway and went in. Didn't even clear the sidewalk in front of his house. There I was with a broom clearing my driveway and the sidewalk that I have 4 times as much to clear as he does AND I cleared the sidewalk in front of Derek and Barb's house too! If I had a snowblower I would have just went right down the road on both sides. AND I'd send TJ over to clear out the driveways for old Festus and his wife, crazy piano lady and maybe even Larry the Gnome's sidewalk.

School is canceled for Thursday too. So that means since there was no school for Friday or next Monday, Bethany doesn't have to go back until Tuesday and has a 5 day mini vacation.

Troy will be making me get out of bed REALLY early Monday morning. I have to have him at the airport by 6 a.m. to catch a 7 a.m. flight to Atlanta. He has a training class to attend. He will be back on Wednesday.

The first week of February he is conducting a training class. His b-day is during that time...what a way to spend it. But then, again...once you get to a certain age you try not to notice them.

I am trying to get my diet back on track. And I am not using 'diet' as a verb. I only mean what I eat each day. It got out of whack and now I am trying to get back to what was working for me a few months ago...protein and veggies. Also lots of water. There is the oatmeal/ground flaxseed morning combination...with the cinnamon and vanilla on top. I ate a Lean Cuisine today...and it was a good one. Bethany likes them too. I guess I will have to forego the Mexican and Chinese food for a while...I can skip the Mexican but skipping the Chinese is the hard part!

Same thing every year at this time. Trying to get myself back into a better eating pattern. I do like a good 6 inch veggie sub...I am going to start making my own at home...who needs Jared and subway?

It Is Time

Friday afternoon the youth pastor from our church came for lunch. The Nazarene District Youth was supposed to have a district over night retreat at Bowling Green University sports complex BUT it was postponed due to the anticipated snow storm. Bowling Green was bracing for about 10 inches of snow. We were supposed to get more of an ice covering. The kids were both disappointed because they had been looking forward to it all week. I was not disappointed becuz we had all just been through a nasty bout of flu and I really didn't think it was a good idea that they go.

Pastor Brett and Max really hit it off! Brett played with Max until Max finally went flop on the floor and snoozed. We had a good conversation about a lot of things. Brett even asked us to kind of 'mentor' another couple (and their kids) that are newer to the church. They have helped out with Spikes...only becuz they have two teenage boys and get involved in their boys' lives a lot...but have been kind of not hooking up with other church grownups. Brett says it has something to do with the Mom. Brett says she kind of hangs back and doesn't so much get involved at church...something happened at the last church they attended in the town they lived in and it hurt her. I told Brett I can relate to that kind of stuff. Brett told Troy that the husband had more of a kind of personality that Troy would probably easily identify with...and Brett seemed to be choosing his words carefully. LOL So, we are to be introduced to them after church.

The church has been trying to do more things that will cause the teenagers and adults to mingle more becuz they feel the teenagers really need to have that adult influence. I can understand that. Brett said our family seems to be very tight knit. LOL If he only knew! But I do TRY to keep an eye on things and talk things over with them on a regular basis. It doesn't keep trouble from happening, but at least they know they can count on me...and Troy.

We do have some ice covering but the anticipated nastiness of the storm never emerged.

I was rather lazy today. Next week is the big push. Last week of the semester for the kids. yay. Everything MUST be done and in. TJ will have the hardest time but he can do it. He has been doing rather well with it all so far. And Bethany is on top of everything and I haven't had to remind her of anything! Thursday evening I checked on her and she had it all lined up and working on it...then she showed me her finished products and Friday she handed it all in. What a difference!

So...today I do not much of anything. A little laundry...eh.

Sandpaper of Life

Things are seeming to go better. Even though the kids and I had a nasty bout with some nasty flu for the last few days. Bethany seemed to come out of it pretty well...TJ is doing better. I still had some remnants of a headache left over this morning but it is gone now. But, I am feeling kind of short tempered. Not really sure what is causing it. Perhaps just having done battle with the flu bug or getting over the holiday stuff. Who knows.

I read something today that I thought was quite profound: "COINCIDENCE is when God decides to remain anonymous" Makes sense to me! He is all knowing and it just amazes me when you think about how He knows what is coming WAY down the road, years before you even make it to that crook in the bend, and He has already set up bridges to help you over the overflowing banks of the river that could sweep you away.

Coincidence. God's anonymity.

The kids are coming to the end of the first semester of school. Due to illnesses they are both a little behind in their work and I'm trying to help them get caught up. It isn't easy! LOL Good thing I don't have any school work of my own. I have not signed up for any classes this semester. Life has enough to keep me busy right now without me adding to it.

Troy has informed me that he will probably be on the road most of next week. Next week is not a good week to be out since the weather forecasts show frigid temps and snow. However, he has been out in worse and God has taken care of him.

We haven't had but dustings of snow around here. I'm not complaining. We do need a good week of a good freeze, though, to wipe out some germs and 'bugs' of all sorts.

Well, back to life as I know it. Nothing exciting today...and I am NOT complaining. I have invited Boredom to visit and it can stay as long as it likes!

Not Time For the Anxiety

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

My biggest problem in life has been worrying...anxiety. I have had the hardest time learning how to pray then hand it over to God and quit worrying about it. Worrying never has been for anything good but to give you ulcers. It doesn't give you answers and it won't change anything. AND if you worry, then you aren't having faith in God.

I think what we 'worry' about it just how God is going to answer our prayers. We know how WE want it to come out, but God may have a different answer...and we might not be happy with it becuz it is not what WE want.

I've always clung to the phrase 'If you're gonna dance, you have to pay the band.' It is the payment part that gets ya.

I have been one big ball of fury and worry the last two days. It just seemed like things were coming at me from all angles. But now it is time to NOT be anxious...I have to hand the due bill back to God and accept the price and just know that He will work out a payment plan that is best for all concerned. What will be will be and He will not allow anything to happen that He does not want to happen.

So...there are my thoughts and my ramblings for today. May your day go well...your weekend be smooth.